Waste and compost · Design the organics and materials systems · waste-8

Plan construction to cut waste and reuse materials

Building is likely to be the largest single waste event on the estate. Design choices made now decide how much ends up in a skip.

How

Right-size the buildings and keep existing structures where they are sound.
Design for disassembly: standard modular sizes, simple spans, visible connections and mechanical fasteners (screws, bolts) rather than glues and sealants.
Limit the number of different materials and choose durable ones worth recovering later.
Agree with suppliers to avoid excess materials and to take back unused packaging.
Source reclaimed doors, windows, timber, brick and fixtures from reuse centres or deconstruction projects.
Ask the design module and your builder to mark these choices on the drawings.