Are you a home renovator or D-I-Y builder?
DO IT RIGHT – CLEAN SITE
Ways to Prevent Your Next Project From Harming Our Environment
Stormwater isn’t treated before it flows into our local creeks, rivers and beaches. So pollution from building activities can enter the stormwater system and end up in our waterways – messing up the environment, and ruining places we all enjoy.
We all know that litter is pollution, but there are other sources just as bad such as sediments, paint, oil and grease.
If you’re building or renovating, do the right thing by the environment. If you employ tradespeople or contractors, make sure they do the right thing too.
Tips to Help Your Next Project Keep Our Environment Pollution Free
Vehicles delivering materials
Clean up any soil or mud that is deposited on the roadway from vehicles delivering materials. Use a broom and not a hose.
Waste recycling bins used to ensure materials are kept out of stormwater systems.
Litter and waste
Place all waste into a bin to prevent it from blowing into the stormwater system. Use a waste recycling contractor to reduce your discarded building materials going to landfill.
Stockpiles
Soil or sand must be placed away from gutters and covered at the end of each day if rain or wind is likely.
Contained washdown areas are essential to prevent pollution of stormwater systems.
Concrete mixing
All mixing of cement or concrete must be carried out in an area that can contain all excess water, residues and waste to prevent it entering the stormwater system. Create an area where the water can pond and evaporate.
Brick works, cutting & paving
Always mix mortar when brickworking, cutting or paving away from gutters or any other location that may drain into the stormwater system. All wastewater generated from brick cutting must also be prevented from entering the stormwater system. Create an area where the water can pond and evaporate.
Painting
When finished painting make sure the waste and wash waters are diverted into a contained area lined with newspaper. When it’s dry, place the newspaper and residue in a bin.
Oil-based painting clean up material such as turps should be filtered for reuse or taken to a licensed waste depot. Oil paint residue should be allowed to dry and placed in a solid waste bin. Keep unused paint in the tin and dispose to a licensed waste depot.
Plastering
Plastering residues and wastes should be allowed to dry within a contained area on site. All waste must be disposed of to a bin or a licensed waste depot. Some solid wastes, such as calcium sulphate, can be used as a modifier in your garden. It is excellent for clay soils.
WARNING: ON THE SPOT FINES OCCUR
What if You See a Building Site Polluting the Environment?
If you see pollution from a building site occurring, please contact the builder responsible or your local Council.