In recognition of Waste Reduction Week, Built Green Canada acknowledges the integral role waste management plays in environmental sustainability, as well as those builders who have long chosen responsible waste reduction methods.

“While energy performance is a dominant focus across the country to mitigate climate change, Built Green builders and supporting industry have championed a holistic approach to sustainability—as part of this, integrating waste reduction practices,” says Built Green Canada’s CEO Jenifer Christenson in the press release.

“There is still more we all need to do to reduce the amount of waste we produce, divert more waste from landfills, and recover its valuable resources,” said Jeff Yurek, Minister of the Environment, Conservation and Parks, in a statement.

The province’s waste diversion rate has been stalled at about 30 per cent, meaning 70 per cent of waste materials continue to end up in landfills.

Waste Reduction Week in Canada is a national year-round program that kicks-off in October and focuses on the circular economy, resource efficiency, and waste reduction. It runs alongside the Canadian Home Builders’ Association’s Renovation Month, intended to help educate consumers on what goes into a renovation and how to find a professional renovator.

Built Green’s renovation programs, both single-family and high density, guide industry through an environmentally friendly approach. As part of this, credit is offered for reuse of building materials, including building walls, floors and roof structure—practices that result in high percentages of landfill diversion and offer another way to save through reduced landfill fees and fewer new materials.

Whether through municipality pressure or guided through programs like Built Green or driven by their own sustainability goals, builders can encourage their trades to recycle their onsite waste. Moreover, utilizing waste management services further help builders reduce the load, in terms of administration and supervision.