Building anything often requires reshaping the land to suit the project. Although grading, excavating, and other activities can be beneficial for the work being done, there also may be unintended effects on the surrounding ecosystems.
Without proper care and attention, builders and contractors may cause lasting damage to ecologically sensitive areas. This can have a devastating impact on wildlife, displacing habitats and contaminating natural resources for a long time to come.
Professionals need to take it upon themselves to minimize the risks they pose to the environment when working on the job site. Fortunately, there are several ways in which they can accomplish this.
Strategies for a More Sustainable Site
Today’s construction industry has a wide range of strategies to prevent having a negative effect on the surrounding ecosystem, addressing everything from erosion to air pollution. Many strategies involve being proactive about the equipment and materials used. For example, the amount of greenhouse gas emissions can be reduced by choosing alternative fuel sources, and the use of construction mats for heavy equipment can prevent machinery from compacting soils and damaging vegetation in the area.
Other techniques involve careful scheduling. For instance, dividing work into multiple phases can help mitigate water runoff and erosion concerns. Adhering to restrictions on when work should be performed can lessen the effects of noise pollution on people and animals in the vicinity.
In some cases, adding an extra step to your processes can have a significant positive effect, whether it’s spraying water on debris before disposal to prevent particulates from polluting the air, or treating wastewater before discharging it to reduce contamination of nearby water sources.
Keeping your job site safe is one of your most important responsibilities, and that includes making it safer for the environment. For more ideas, check out the accompanying resource.
Infographic created by Yak Mat, an access matting company