The design phase is critical in minimizing construction waste and in efficient use/reuse of materials.
Dennis Ebenezar, Founder & Managing Director, Deejos
Use of technologies like BIM help avoid material waste early on by digitally planning and visualizing projects, resulting in accurate material estimation. 3D printing and drones assist in creating accurate prototypes, detect issues, and help in real-time site measurement and monitoring. Using a waste tracking app for monitoring and reviewing waste reduction strategies ensures consistent improvement and alignment with project objectives.
Tools like Total Station for site mapping, minimize resource use, and help in recognizing the potential sources of waste in the early stages of a project before construction commences. Prioritizing alternative building materials such as reclaimed wood, recycled materials, and fly ash, replacing traditional bricks, and using repurposed wood scraps and metals as decorative elements, are other measures to reduce wastage.
For our project located in Oragadam, we optimized material usage using our in-house app POL for accurately calculating material quantities. This has helped avoid both reordering and over-ordering, reducing unnecessary logistics support and facilitating on-time project completion.
The floor plans have also been designed to minimize material usage while ensuring functional and space-efficient layouts. Unused and uneven sized bricks were used as paver blocks, weatherproofing material, and for sunken filling, significantly reducing the need for new materials. Repainted terracotta roofing tiles from previous demolitions and wooden columns have been creatively reused as design elements, contributing to architectural appeal and waste reduction.
Crushed concrete has been repurposed for ramp filling and used as a base layer for the rainwater harvesting system. M-sand has been used for filling the basement, reducing the demand for fresh sand. Galvanized iron (GI) sheets from the site have been repurposed for constructing labor sheds, which can be reused on future projects.
Cow dung-based paint was applied throughout the site. Known for its natural cooling properties and breathable qualities, this non-toxic paint, serves as an eco-friendly alternative to traditional paints, reducing harmful emissions in paint production.
Our site team has implemented a waste segregation system for regularly monitoring and categorizing construction waste, proventing, waste dumping in nearby lands, and helping to mitigate land pollution. The team gained valuable hands-on experience in recycling and reuse concepts during this project.
