Environmental considerations are highly important for all groundworks and demolition projects. This article provides you with guidance on everything relating to environmental responsibility and considerations that need to be made during your project. If you have any concerns about your environmental requirements, responsibilities and obligations then get in touch with our team and we are more than happy to advise you further. This article covers:
- Your legal requirements in preventing environmental issues from occurring. This includes obtaining the relevant permissions for your project and ensuring the safe management of potentially dangerous and hazardous materials is put in place. Arranging for asbestos surveys for buildings constructed on or before the year 2000 for example.
- Managing potential environmental risks such as changing environmental factors, managing waste, minimalising potential damage during the works as well as ensuring that disruption to wildlife is kept to a minimum where possible.
- Taking steps to reduce overall emissions whilst completing the project, working to reduce this over time as well as arranging for recycling of materials where possible.
At Wilsons Groundworks, we are the leading provider of groundworks Bristol and across the South West. We can support you during the entire process as well as advise you on the relevant environmental legal requirements and recommendations. Get in touch to arrange for your free quote.
Legal Requirements
Demolition projects and groundworks projects should be carried out with great consideration and great planning in general and for environmental considerations. The local council will need to know that the project is taking place and a type 3 asbestos survey must be carried out before the construction process takes place. If your project falls within the requirements of the Construction Regulations Act 2007 then the HSE needs to be informed about the project and submit an F10 application form. This should then be displayed prominently on-site during the project.
Potential Environmental Issues
Carrying out demolition and the groundwork for a project will disturb the earth and can cause the site to become exposed to risks such as extreme rain and flooding. This could also additionally cause additional issues such as waste flowing into rivers or waterways or river banks being now at risk whilst the groundwork or demolition process is taking place. Other issues that need to be considered are:
- Waste that is produced from the project such as asbestos or other hazardous materials. Asbestos is seriously regulated by legislation but other waste materials may be produced during the project.
- Impact to wildlife in the planning stage and then the execution of the project. How has wildlife been catered for and have steps been made to reduce damage to wildlife habitats and other aspects? It’s also important to consider that some wildlife areas will be home to protected species as well as plants and habitats.
- How will the terrain be terraformed or managed after the demolition process and groundwork take place? Will the resulting ground be more likely at risk from flooding or subsidence after the project is completed? Can you take measures to stabilise the ground further in the preparation stage?
Enhancing Current Processes in Terms of Environmental Impact
It’s important to constantly develop processes to decrease environmental impact where possible in future projects. Continuing to recycle as many materials as possible as well as considering services or equipment that can recycle more waste is a great way to reduce the overall environmental impacts of projects in the future. Other processes that can be reviewed are as follows:
- Constantly reviewing materials to see if more sustainable materials and technologies become available for projects. Recycling is becoming more effective in terms of percentage recycled with further innovations to recycle more materials. So regular reviews of the recycling process is highly recommended.
- Expanding the use of different tools as they are developed to reduce overall environmental impact.
- Constantly improving the overall waste management plan of future projects such as investing in infrastructure or relationships with providers of waste management services.
At Wilsons Groundworks, we are the leading provider of demolition services as well as groundworks. We use our extensive knowledge of the industry to advise our clients on best practices as well as help with the preparation and management of environmental considerations and processes throughout the project. Get in touch to arrange for your free quote.