How Has the Construction Industry Evolved Sustainably?

There is strong pressure on businesses and industries in general to cut their carbon emissions and adopt sustainable practices where possible in order to lower the negative impact they have on the environment. This is especially the case for the construction industry, which is known for being a sector that largely contributes to the current climate crisis.

However, in recent years, many in this sector have been striving to make a change and we can see how these changes have started to be put into action in order to lessen the impact of the construction industry on climate change and the environment.



Read on below as we discuss how the industry is evolving and what we can expect from the future of construction, as well as why its importance means the industry as a whole isn’t (and shouldn’t be) going anywhere.

What Impact Does the Construction Industry Have on the Environment?

You may have seen or heard various figures regarding the impact that different sectors have on the environment, yet while the specific percentages may be somewhat inconsistent, the general facts and prevalence of the industry’s impact remain the same.

Looking specifically at the construction industry, this is quoted as being responsible for up to potentially 50% of climate change. This is down to various factors, including its impact on landfills (due to large amounts of waste produced) and air, water and noise pollution.

The industry also dominates the market for natural stone, gravel and sand consumption, being one of the largest exploiters of the world’s resources - at least half of which are non-renewable. On top of this, the energy used in order to quarry these materials is often extensive and, again, comes from non-renewable sources.

There is also the impact that construction has on wildlife. General construction work tends to be restricted to taking place between 8am and 6pm, however in certain areas (often those that are more secluded and out of public way) it can go on later into the evening or start earlier in the morning. The issue with this is that the bright lighting and loud noises have an adverse effect on the local wildlife.

This is because such excessive light and noise pollution can disrupt their natural cycles, especially species such as bats, birds and badgers. Alongside any water and air pollution and habitat destruction that may occur, this can lead to long term effects such as forcing them to change their ways of living or relocating, which in turn could reduce their populations.

Getting Greener: The Progress So Far

So, after looking briefly at the negative impact the industry has, what has been done so far to change this?

Sustainable Design

Many developers are choosing to start their steps towards sustainability from as early as the design process, a decision that has been strongly influenced by customers and owners putting increased pressure on engineering and construction companies to design and build more eco-friendly structures.

As such, architects and engineers have been using technology to help them design more energy-efficient buildings, such as through the use of Building Information Modelling (BIM). Of course, this is tackling the future impact that buildings will have on the environment, more so than the process of erecting these buildings, however it is still progress.

Responsible Waste Disposal

As we’ve already mentioned, the construction industry is responsible for a whole lot of waste. More often than not, this waste would go to landfill, however there are now more opportunities to dispose of construction waste more responsibly and many companies and contractors are taking advantage of this.

For example, instead of sending all construction waste to landfill, it can now be sent to a responsible waste management site where materials will be separated and recycled where possible. Materials that can be recycled include glass, sand and wood, whilst stone or concrete can be turned into aggregates.

Environmental Jobs within Construction

With there being a large focus on how the industry can become more eco-friendly, there are now numerous jobs within the sector of environmental construction in order to ensure that this issue is being actively tackled.

For example, you have environmental advisers, who work on construction projects to ensure that they comply with all the necessary environmental regulations, as well as keep air and water pollution and soil contamination to a minimum.

You also have environmental engineers, who focus on reducing waste and pollution during construction, making the most of any natural resources used on a project.

Finally, you have ecologists, who study the relationship between plants, animals and the environment. When it comes to construction, an ecologist will look at any proposed plans for work that could affect the environment to ensure that it won’t negatively affect the surrounding flora and fauna or any endangered species.

Sustainable Practices in the Construction Industry

Though many construction companies are making a start towards becoming more eco-friendly, there is still more to be done. Read on below to learn about some of the things you could be doing as someone who works in construction to lower the impact that your work and/or business has.

Using Recycled/Sustainable Materials

From roads and surfaces to buildings and even sea defences, we can’t live without the resources that quarries provide. That’s not to say, however, that there aren’t ways that you can source these materials responsibly.

This could include using recycled aggregates when mixing concrete or for landscaping purposes, rather than freshly quarried aggregates. Not only does this reduce your consumption of natural non-renewable resources, but it also promotes the production of recycled aggregates, since these reduce the amount of construction waste going to landfill.

You could also use materials such as reclaimed stone, recycled sand and repurposed bricks.

Conscious Landfill

Though the amount of waste you send to landfill can be reduced, it isn’t completely unavoidable. Therefore, it is your responsibility to ensure that you dispose of your waste as responsibly as possible. Not only does this include trying to A, reduce your waste as much as you can and B, sort your waste into materials that can be recycled, but you should actively look for an environmentally friendly landfill site.

That may sound redundant, as landfill sites aren’t usually associated with being eco-friendly, however landfills can be more sustainable. For example, the methane gas that is produced by these sites can be harnessed and used to produce electricity rather than released into the atmosphere.

Renewable Energy

Speaking of electricity, you may recall that we mentioned how the construction industry uses plenty of energy. Due to the machinery and practices required to safely and effectively construct buildings and other structures, this energy remains essential.

Despite this, the energy you use can come from renewable sources in order to reduce your environmental impact. For example, you can source the electricity you use from a renewable energy supplier, utilise your own solar energy where possible or find additional solutions to offsetting your carbon emissions.

Get in Touch

If there’s one more thing you can do to make your construction business more sustainable, it’s to source your materials locally in order to reduce travel emissions alongside the added benefit of supporting local businesses. If you are based in Scotland, then we’re the ideal company for you here at WM Thompson & Son.

We supply a range of natural stone products from our Dumbarton quarry, including gabion stones, whindust, concrete sand and more. We have been supplying local building and construction companies with our high quality quarry products for over 75 years now, however we also recognise the importance of sustainability in today’s modern age.

That’s why we also supply recycled aggregates to our customers, ensuring that we have an environmentally friendly solution to meet your construction needs. On top of that, we also run our own sustainable landfill site, whereby we sort through any waste we receive to separate recyclable materials while disposing of non-recyclable materials safely and correctly. Our site is fully S.E.P.A licensed and dedicated to maintaining a positive impact on the local environment.

If you would like to learn more about our products and services, then don’t hesitate to get in touch with us today.