Warm weather has arrived in much of the United States and that means it’s time for construction projects to begin. Whether you’re a business owner in the building trades or a home owner looking to start a new remodeling project, the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has some suggestions to help lessen your environmental impact and reduce the amount of waste needing to be disposed of in landfills and the costs associated with it.

1) Get information from your municipal solid waste agency about what items can be recycled and approved waste haulers in your region.

2) Determine if your project is ideal for deconstruction. Deconstruction can result in items (such as kitchen cabinets, moldings, slate roofing tiles…) being sold on the re-use market instead of ending up in a dumpster.

3) Before buying new products, investigate local salvage options where deconstructed items in good condition or of historical value can be found for reduced prices.

4) Does your community have a local Habitat for Humanity chapter? Consider donating usable but not salable  materials to non-profit groups that can put them to good use for economically disadvantaged members of the community.

5) If you’re working on an older home or industrial building, be sure to become familiar with the strategies for reducing environmental and human health hazards resulting from lead paint.

6) For larger construction firms, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has resources and training materials available to help business owners determine ways to reduce C&D debris in landfills. For handy home-owners who like to undertake remodeling projects the National Association of Home Builders has information for making sure do-it-yourself projects are cost-effective and environmentally friendly.

WasteCare Wants You to Remember: If a new construction or remodeling project is on your horizon, be sure you do some advance work to manage the disposal of waste materials being generated. By recycling, re-use, and donating, you can reduce disposal fees and feel good about lessening your project’s environmental impact.