Working in remote areas is important, but it also provides unforeseen challenges. At the top of that list is how you deal with remote construction site waste. Just because you’re in a rural, hard-to-access area, that doesn’t mean that the rules and regulations governing waste and recycling don’t apply.
Fortunately, with a little planning, remote construction waste management can be dealt with efficiently.
Issues with Waste on Remote Construction Sites
The management of remote construction site waste is a significant challenge that may be more pressing than working on sites in densely populated urban areas. The improper disposal of waste in remote areas of Alberta can attract wildlife and predators and cause significant damage to the environment.
At the same time, rural landfills may not be able to accommodate large-scale construction waste, and disposing of the human waste from portable toilets presents real challenges, as well.
Construction Waste
Construction site waste removal requires careful planning and an understanding of the local bylaws in the remote area where you’re working. Alberta has made it a priority to reduce the amount of construction waste sent to landfills from construction sites, and increasing the materials diverted to the recycling stream is an important step.
Alberta’s system operates through a network of regional transfer stations throughout the province, where waste is then transported to landfills. There are challenges for remote construction site waste, though.
- As laid out on page 116 of Alberta’s Transfer Station Technical Guidance Handbook, many construction and demolition waste materials are too big and heavy and cannot be handled by transfer equipment.
- Construction waste and recycling can accumulate quickly, creating a mess on remote construction sites if not disposed of promptly. Having the right bins for waste and recycling can make all the difference.
- The accumulation of waste in remote areas can attract unwanted wildlife, putting workers on your construction site at risk. Having secure and durable bins for waste storage will prevent issues with remote construction site waste.
Porta Potties
Portable toilets are essential on remote construction sites, where plumbing is unlikely, but workers still need clean and comfortable facilities. There are challenges that inevitably arise, though:
- When temperatures drop, it’s important for portable toilets to be comfortable and provide relief from the cold.
- Cleaning and maintaining portable toilets is essential.
- Pump-outs and servicing schedules are required, even in remote or hard-to-reach areas.
Waste Management & Disposal
While there are undoubtedly challenges associated with remote construction site waste, there are solutions. The reality is that construction work is ongoing in rural and hard-to-access areas every day in Alberta.
The key? Thoughtful planning and collaboration with a company like FenceLine Rentals Ltd, which is experienced in waste management and disposal, and can provide the necessary bins and portable toilets.
Having a waste disposal plan means you won’t need to worry about removing your construction waste and recycling from your remote construction site. FenceLine Rentals is based in Calgary and Edmonton, but can travel anywhere in the province to collect waste and dispose of it at designated landfills.
What Is a Construction Site Waste Disposal Plan?
A construction site waste disposal plan is a detailed strategy for removing waste from your construction site. At FenceLine, we offer several different options:
- Regular Waste Program: This is the quickest and most cost-effective way to handle your waste, involving the use of mixed bins at the landfill, while clean concrete, metal, and single-commodity loads are recycled. Both lidded and uncovered bins are available.
- Asbestos Waste Program: Asbestos waste remains a serious issue in Alberta, and our program aligns with the province’s regulations and includes bin rentals, transportation, and landfill coordination, as well as the required documentation.
- Recycle Tracking Program: This program includes sorting and recycling for companies that require waste diversion and monthly reporting. Commingled bins are sorted off-site, with concrete, metal, and single-commodity loads recycled.
What Is a Construction Site Waste Management Plan?
Having a construction site waste management plan involves everything from setting waste diversion goals to tracking your recycling and can also cover hazardous waste, storage, and disposal.
In addition to FenceLine’s disposal services, we are LEED-certified and can help you develop a waste management plan that maximizes diversion from landfills through recycling.
LEED-v4 Recycle Program
Our LEED v4 Recycle Program is designed for projects registered in the LEED certification program, offering V4-compliant segregated and commingled sub-programs. It also offers monthly diversion reporting, which will help you save money by diverting waste from landfills.
Having a waste management plan will help you manage waste at remote construction sites by providing a clear pathway for diverting, storing, and organizing pickups and disposal.
FenceLine Helps You Manage Remote Construction Site Waste
The logistics of managing a construction project in a remote area are a challenge, there’s no doubt about it. But managing remote construction site waste doesn’t need to cause you headaches. FenceLine Rentals Ltd. can not only provide the bins and portable toilets you’ll need, but we can also help you organize a waste disposal and waste management plan that meets your needs while keeping your construction site sanitary and clean.
Our products are designed to withstand Alberta’s extreme weather and we can deliver them to anywhere in the province.
Organize your waste disposal plan today.
FAQs About Remote Construction Site Waste
Do portable toilets work in the winter?
Absolutely. FenceLine Rentals Ltd. offers portable toilets designed to withstand all four seasons in Alberta, including heated and jacketed models, ideally suited for the winter months. Construction is a year-round industry in Alberta, and cold weather is a reality that must be addressed, especially on remote construction sites.
Does it save money to recycle?
Yes. The landfill fees for garbage are higher than those for recycling, so it is always worth diverting waste and having a recycling program in place, especially on construction and demolition sites, where there tend to be high quantities of materials that require disposal.