Use resources efficiently in construction and building trades

Some of the wastes produced from steelwork are considered hazardous, including fluorescent tubes and oily rags. You will need to dispose of these according to hazardous waste regulations.

Steelworkers can benefit from significant cost savings by reducing waste and environmental impacts:

• Consolidating loads can minimise deliveries to site and reduce fuel costs.
• Use bare steel instead of coated steel where possible - bare steel can be used while maintaining suitable levels of safety and durability.
• Over-specification, damage to materials and components, off-cuts and defects cause significant wastage of materials on construction sites.
• Steel manufactured off site is easily managed and can be produced to a high quality. This can help you reduce wastage and any waste that is generated can be collected, separated and reused or recycled.
• Just-in-time deliveries of steel construction products reduce the need for on-site storage of products and materials. This reduces the risk of damage to products stored on-site.
• Water-based acrylic or water-based epoxy zinc phosphate primers reduce solvent emissions and the production of hazardous waste.
• Depending on paint viscosity and tin size, typically 5 per cent is left in the tin. Where possible, empty the tin before disposing of it.
• For larger volume painting, consider dip or flood paint application which can result in less paint wastage than sprayer application.
• Regularly clean and replace the tip of your paint spray gun to ensure effective coverage. Check that you use the appropriate tip size to reduce overspray and apply the coat to specification.
• Reduce your packaging waste. Speak to your suppliers to find out if they can supply products in bulk. Also, find out if they use returnable packaging - eg crates and pallets - for products, which can be returned for reuse.
• Where possible, avoid over ordering as this increases waste.

You must help to ensure that your waste is properly dealt with - see duty of care for business waste.