If you have been living in a home for several years, you may be planning to demolish it and build a new one. However, you strongly believe in the ‘go green’ policy, you may feel worried that the demolition could have a negative impact on the environment. Is it possible to fulfill your requirement, without harming the environment ?
Yes, with the help of ‘green demolition’, you can strike a balance between these two aspects. Though green demolition industry is still at a nascent stage, it is slowly earning recognition in many countries of the world.
What is meant by ‘green demolition’ ?
Traditional demolition services involve tearing down the property into pieces. The destroyed items are usually disposed off at landfills, which are already running out of space.
Green demolition, on the other hand, involves systematic removal of items. Rather than disposing off the damaged materials, the recycled materials are sold to other people. Alternatively, they are stored for future use. Research reveals that green demolition prevents approximately 80% of demolition waste from occupying landfill space.
Benefits of green demolition
Green demolition has a positive impact on the environment and individuals as well. We discuss these benefits in details.
- Green demolition is safe – As compared to traditional demolition services, green demolition is safer. If not done properly, traditional demolition can even cost people their lives. Furthermore, it involves wastage of resources, handling of hazardous items, pollution, and cutting of trees. Green demolition, on the other hand, does not pollute the environment and is comparatively safer.
- Saves the environment – Green demolition involves intelligent use of waste management. It involves recycling of old materials and this in turn, contributes to sustainability of our environment. Furthermore, it reduces pollution.
- It improves quality of life – As mentioned earlier, traditional demolition contributes to pollution and involves wastage of valuable resources. Green demolition, on the other hand, helps to conserve resources and improves quality of life.
- Tax credits – Some countries offer tax credits to people who practice green demolition.
Disadvantages of green demolition
- Costs more in the initial stages
One major disadvantage of green demolition is that in the initial stage, it is a little costlier. However, if you compare it with traditional demolition costs in the long-term, you may find green demolition a more cost-effective solution.
- Slower
Green demolition is a comparatively slower process that involves three main stages. The first stage involves removal of non-structural materials, such as flooring, windows, and doors. Second stage involves shifting of structural materials, such as stone and brick. Removing piping and wiring is included in the third stage.
Removal of materials in these three stages requires effort and naturally, green demolition turns out to be a slower process.
We discussed the advantages and disadvantages of green demolition. Compare them and take the right decision!
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