How can you encourage your team to prioritize waste reduction in construction?

Waste reduction is not only a good practice for the environment, but also a smart way to save costs, improve efficiency, and enhance your reputation in the construction industry. However, it can be challenging to motivate your team to adopt waste reduction strategies and habits, especially if they are used to working in a different way. In this article, we will share some tips on how you can encourage your team to prioritize waste reduction in construction and make it a part of your culture.

1 Set clear goals and expectations

The first step to encourage your team to prioritize waste reduction is to set clear and realistic goals and expectations for each project. You can use tools such as waste audits, waste management plans, and waste reduction targets to measure and monitor your performance and identify areas for improvement. You should also communicate these goals and expectations to your team regularly and explain why they are important and how they benefit the project, the client, and the company.

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𝖶𝖺𝗅𝗍𝖾𝗋 𝖡𝖾𝗅𝗅

Forensic+QA/QC Technical Flooring Consultant | Solving & Preventing Complex Flooring & Concrete Slab Problems · Failure Analysis · Inspections · Testing
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Damage is a major factor causing product waste on jobsites. Too often materials on jobsites are stored improperly or in an area where they can get more likely be damaged. Coordinate storage with the GC in an area less likely to need to be moved prior to product installation. Place product storage where it is less like to get damaged by trades performing their scope of work. Minimize onsite storage so that products do not stay on the site for extended periods of time increasing the chances of damage. Keep working product neatly corralled and stored at the end of the day. Extra product for each phase should be moved to the next work area or a safe storage area.

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2 Provide training and support

The second step to encourage your team to prioritize waste reduction is to provide them with adequate training and support to implement the waste reduction strategies and practices. You can organize workshops, seminars, or online courses to educate your team on the best practices, techniques, and technologies for waste reduction and recycling in construction. You can also provide them with the necessary equipment, tools, and resources to facilitate their work and reduce waste generation and disposal.

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3 Recognize and reward achievements

The third step to encourage your team to prioritize waste reduction is to recognize and reward their achievements and efforts. You can use incentives, bonuses, certificates, or recognition programs to acknowledge and appreciate your team's contributions to waste reduction and recycling in construction. You can also showcase their success stories, testimonials, or case studies to inspire and motivate others to follow their example and improve their performance.

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4 Create a feedback loop

The fourth step to encourage your team to prioritize waste reduction is to create a feedback loop that allows you to collect, analyze, and act on the data and information related to waste reduction and recycling in construction. You can use surveys, interviews, focus groups, or online platforms to gather feedback from your team on their challenges, needs, suggestions, and opinions on waste reduction and recycling in construction. You can also use this feedback to improve your processes, policies, and procedures and address any issues or concerns that may arise.

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5 Promote a culture of waste reduction

The fifth step to encourage your team to prioritize waste reduction is to promote a culture of waste reduction that values and supports the principles and practices of waste reduction and recycling in construction. You can do this by leading by example, demonstrating your commitment and involvement in waste reduction and recycling in construction. You can also do this by fostering a collaborative, supportive, and innovative environment that encourages your team to share ideas, learn from each other, and seek solutions for waste reduction and recycling in construction.

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Renata Mansuelo

Engenharia Civil | Docente | Pesquisadora | Energia Solar | Eficiência energética | ESG
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To encourage the team to prioritize waste reduction in construction and foster a culture of sustainability, it's crucial to raise awareness through training sessions, set clear goals, involve the team in identifying waste reduction opportunities, implement sustainable practices throughout the project lifecycle, monitor progress regularly, and share successes and lessons learned. By adopting these strategies, a culture that values waste reduction and environmental sustainability can be cultivated within the team, driving collective efforts towards a more sustainable construction approach.

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6 Engage with stakeholders

The sixth step to encourage your team to prioritize waste reduction is to engage with stakeholders who are involved or affected by your waste reduction and recycling in construction. You can do this by communicating your goals, expectations, and achievements to your clients, suppliers, contractors, regulators, and community members. You can also do this by seeking their input, feedback, and cooperation to align your waste reduction and recycling in construction with their needs, preferences, and standards.

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7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?

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Asterios Bourouzikas MCIOB EUR ING MBA MIET

Chartered Construction Manager
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First it would be very helpful, if it is within the company's policies and/or been stipulated in the contract with the Client, as detail within the KPIs and year to year performance, i.e incentivised by the stakeholders. Then, project culture of innovation, sustainability & waste reduction during project lifecycle, should be passed on by senior management. Last delivery teams should practically look for waste saving solutions, collaborating with environmental teams and apply brainstorm solutions on the works.

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How can you encourage your team to prioritize waste reduction in construction?

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1 Set clear goals and expectations

2 Provide training and support

3 Recognize and reward achievements

4 Create a feedback loop

5 Promote a culture of waste reduction

6 Engage with stakeholders

7 Here’s what else to consider

Construction

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How can you encourage your team to prioritize waste reduction in construction?

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

1 Set clear goals and expectations

2 Provide training and support

3 Recognize and reward achievements

4 Create a feedback loop

5 Promote a culture of waste reduction

6 Engage with stakeholders

7 Here’s what else to consider

Construction

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