Regional District of Nanaimo Releases New Guide to Reduce Construction Waste in Landfill and Promote Green Leadership

Posted in: News Item

Date Posted: 2023-04-20

Organization Name: Regional District of Nanaimo

Location: Nanaimo

The Regional District of Nanaimo’s (RDN) newest waste management resource, the Construction Waste Best Practices Guide, will help the construction industry reduce and divert waste and improve environmental performance. The guide features deconstruction and salvaging practices, material reuse, recycling and procurement recommendations.

“The Construction Waste Best Practices Guide is an industry resource to help get the RDN closer to our 90 per cent waste diversion goal by 2030.” said Ben Geselbracht, RDN Director and Solid Waste Management Select Committee Chair. “Moving from demolition to deconstruction is a necessary step in the transition toward a circular economy and a sustainable future for our region. There is much work to be done and this best practices guide highlights what practical actions can be taken.”

Nationally, the construction industry generates more than 4 million tonnes (33 per cent) of total solid waste per year. Construction waste, however, is full of recoverable materials that can be recycled or reused. In the RDN, a 50 per cent reduction in building waste would divert the equivalent of 295 garbage trucks of material from the landfill annually.

Between reduced disposal costs and available federal and provincial tax credits, deconstruction is often more cost effective than demolition and also creates more jobs. The guide, developed in partnership with circular economy subject matter experts Synergy Foundation, will help the construction industry leverage the benefits of deconstruction.

To view the Construction Waste Best Practices Guide, visit rdn.bc.ca/construction-and-demolition-waste.