Recycling and reuse are wonderful and necessary, but avoiding generating waste in the first place is far better, both environmentally and financially. The following general suggestions will aid in reducing waste, and additional waste minimizing tips for specific materials are located throughout this guide.

Design

• Smaller projects use less material, reducing both solid waste and operating costs.
• Design assemblies to match the standard dimensions of the materials to be used, reducing waste and material cost.
• Consider designing for disassembly, so materials can be readily reused or recycled.
  • Use clips and stops to support drywall or wood paneling at corners.
  • Consider clips and stops to replace blocking at top plates, end walls, and corners. Clips can provide the potential for two-stud corners, reducing wood use, easing electrical and plumbing rough-in, and improving thermal performance.
  • Materials attached with removable fasteners are generally quicker (and more economically favorable) to deconstruct than materials installed with adhesives. However, remember that adhesives distribute loads over larger areas rather than fasteners alone.
• Making use of existing foundations and structures in good condition can reduce waste as well as labor and material requirements, but may increase design cost in complex projects.
• Design for flexibility and changing use of spaces.
• Consider materials that can be delivered pre-cut for rapid, nearly waste-free installation, such as structural insulated panels, panelized wood framing, and precast concrete.
• For wood construction, consider 24" on center framing with insulated headers (i.e. ‘advanced framing’), trusses for roofs and floors, finger-jointed studs, and engineered wood.
• Specify materials with high recycled content, reducing waste and supporting the market for recycling.

Purchasing

• Choose products with little or no packaging, or seek suppliers who will reuse or recycle the packaging.
• Confirm that estimating methods result in the delivery of the correct quantity of material to the job site.
• Seek high-quality previously-used materials early in the purchasing process to ensure availability, cut cost, and reduce waste.
• Rent infrequently used tools.
• Materials that are durable, locally made, non-toxic, and/or have low embodied energy help reduce solid waste, minimize air and water pollution, and support the local economy.

Construction

• Basic but true: Measure twice and cut once. Clean tools well, and store them properly. Protect materials from the elements.
• Consider deconstructing and salvaging existing materials.
• Develop a waste reduction plan, including waste prevention.
  • Set specific waste reduction goals.
  • Identify specific practices for implementation.
  • Assign responsibility for implementing the construction waste management plan to a specific person on the construction team.
  • Post the plan and set up on-site locations for recycling, with color coding for separation.
  • Include time in the schedule for salvage and recycling.
  • Require participation of all team members, including subcontractors.
• Delineate and limit the construction footprint (building, hardscape, and staging), and coordinate construction with a landscape professional to minimize grading and retain native soils and vegetation.
• Consider drywall clips to fasten drywall, and consider using high-recycled content drywall stops, such as high density polyethylene.
• Donate surplus materials; Habitat for Humanity is one potential beneficiary.