With the rise of environmental awareness among governments and corporations, green construction practices are more popular than ever. Modular construction can make the building sector more sustainable, using materials more efficiently and minimizing waste.
How Modular Construction Reduces Waste
Around 40% of landfill waste comes from construction, and many companies are working hard to develop methods that reduce or repurpose waste. The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) estimates that new commercial construction generates around 3.9 lb of waste per sq. ft. They US EPA also calculated that 88 million tons of construction and demolition waste are added to landfills annually, in spite of the progress towards sustainability.
Consider that this data is only for construction, and there are other industries filling up landfills every day. This has driven many organizations towards the zero waste movement. When describing zero waste, it doesn’t refer to landfill waste only; the concept involves internal changes that eliminate waste throughout the entire supply chain.
The modular construction industry has taken the lead in waste reduction. It has been proven that modular construction can reduce waste by up to 90%, thanks to off-site construction.
Off-Site Construction Benefits
Modular construction can have positive impacts on construction waste management, reducing the environmental impact and conserving resources.
Waste Control
Individual modules are produced in factory settings, which allows better control over inventories. The leftover materials are recycled for future projects, reducing the construction waste that ends up in landfills. Materials are protected from moisture and weather conditions, and the risk of theft is greatly reduced.
Construction Quality
The bulk of a modular structure is completed in a controlled factory environment, using dry materials to prevent trapped moisture. This improves construction quality, while preventing issues like moisture damage and mold infestation.