Reducing Site Waste With The Better Building Working Group

This Is How We Build Video

Reducing Site Waste Video | This Is How We Build

I recently had the chance to flex my acting skills in a video that's close to our hearts here at M A Building.

Jump in at 6:33 to head straight to the MA Building and ITM Wanaka action. See how we reduce site waste by asking our suppliers to cut the plastic in place of our reusable tarps. And get a simple but telling insight into how we manage our site waste differently.

The focus?

Tackling site waste in the building industry. We're incredibly passionate about this issue, so being part of this video was an opportunity we couldn't miss.

The video, supported by the Queenstown Lakes District Council, shines a light on the significant issue of construction and demolition waste. It's not just about where the waste ends up; it's also about exploring practical solutions to reduce, reuse, and recycle materials.

Working with the Better Building Working Group (BBWG) and other industry professionals, we're determined to make a difference. "This is How We Build" isn't just a phrase; it's a commitment to sustainable building practices, increasing energy efficiency, and addressing the use of toxic chemicals in our industry.

To learn more and see our efforts (and my acting debut!) in action, watch the video or visit wao.co.nz.

Together, we're striving to elevate the standards of building in our District and make a lasting impact.

We’ll be sharing more on how we manage site waste in the coming months, but this video gives you a super quick overview. And below is an excerpt from our recent article on Holistic Home Building, to give you a deeper insight into how much this matters to us.

No Waste Left Behind

We're serious about reducing waste. We don't want to see good stuff end up in the trash. We recycle and repurpose as much as we can. It's not just about building; it's about building responsibly.

“The construction and demolition industry is one of the largest waste-producing industries in New Zealand. Construction and demolition waste may represent up to 50% of all waste generated in New Zealand, with 20% of the waste going to landfill and 80% going to clean fill sites.” BRANZ

You use a combination of smart planning to reduce excess waste, operating a lean building project management method to reduce unnecessary steps in construction, on-site sorting and working with partners to reuse and recycle any materials possible.

We also work with sustainability consultants and constantly work to up-skill our team on minimising our waste, wherever possible.

For more on our building process and how we consider ALL aspects of the homes we build, explore this article on Holistic Home Building.