At the construction site of the RP 126 highway in Corrientes, we implemented responsible management of solid, semi-solid and liquid waste.
The first step in proper waste management begins with reducing waste generation.
It is essential to evaluate if there are alternative processes and products that will not produce waste or that will produce less waste. Material substitution, process modification and inventory control are recommended actions to evaluate for all activities performed by the company. For example, reducing the use of treated sanitary white water for dust suppression/minimization and/or irrigation.
The second option is to acquire and use materials that can be used more than once in their original form. For example, in the use of by-products to produce energy, the use of approved metal drums after their original use, the reuse of cement and/or rubble to fill borrow pits, among others.
If waste is produced even if the above options are applied, conversion to useful products is the next option. For example, glass, paper, aluminum, wood, etc.
Once the waste has been produced and when reuse or recycling is not possible, the next preferred method will be the treatment process according to the nature of the waste.
The last option to be considered is responsible waste disposal. When this is the only technically feasible option, the waste will be disposed of using appropriate and approved methods. All construction debris and general waste will be removed daily and disposed of in facilities approved by regulatory agencies in accordance with current legislation.
The Environmental Manager requested the construction site management to manufacture waste containers with lids, in order to reuse used lubricant containers. After the management's approval, training talks were given to the blacksmith shop and equipment maintenance personnel to inform them of the environmental guidelines and the importance of their contributions to integrated waste management.
With the collaboration of the work planning and control area, a layout of the construction site was prepared and used to plan the number of pans required per work site.
A mini green point was set up in the SST MA office to provide induction training, where it was possible to see the classification of caps for the Garrahan Hospital, clean plastic bottles to donate to entrepreneurs, used paper, cardboard, a flowerpot with organic material and a plant, alluding to the fact that "organic waste is not garbage, but future soil nutrients". On the other hand, all incoming personnel were also made aware of the importance of separating used batteries from other waste and making storage boxes from small metal parts.
At the access to the construction site, two carob trees were planted, and a "PROTECT FLORA AND FAUNA" sign was placed at the access to the construction site. In addition, plants were placed so that the construction site personnel can visualize and collaborate in the integrated waste management by separating the organic material for vermicomposting, thus, in addition to reducing the waste that is taken to the municipal landfill, the compost product will be used to strengthen green spaces in the construction site or donated to a local entity.
Concept: It is a biotechnological process that allows biodegrading organic waste under aerobic and mesophilic conditions by the joint action of earthworms and microorganisms, from which a stabilized final product is obtained. To treat the organic material, a site was assigned in the construction site, it was signposted and a person was assigned the responsibility of removing the organic waste from the containers, weighing it, recording it and then mixing it in the place where the Californian earthworms are located, on a weekly or biweekly basis. This avoids the transfer of wet waste to the municipal landfill, facilitating the task; in addition, the amount of waste is reduced.
The sorting of waste by the personnel is remarkable, records of each final disposal are continuously generated and recyclable waste is disposed of as planned:
The staff is informed on a monthly basis of the results obtained and opportunities for continuous improvement are proposed:
From January to July 2022, a total of 4,515.5 kg of waste was generated. Of which 346.4 kg were organic waste destined for vermicomposting, 4,090 kg were waste transferred to the municipal landfill (including used sponges from hydraulic testing) and 79.5 kg were recyclable (plastic bottles, plastic caps, cardboard, paper).
