Modify Construction Practices

The construction industry is one of the highest contributors to pollution with a significant carbon footprint.¹ The harmful environmental impacts from construction activities largely result from diesel emissions from construction equipment.² Although there are regulations pertaining to construction equipment standards, outdated and high-emitting equipment is still in use. In 2019, the building and construction industries accounted for nearly 40% of global carbon emissions.³ Additionally, it is estimated that transport within construction projects accounts for approximately 10% of carbon dioxide emission.⁴ Fortunately, there are actions that contractors and construction companies can take to reduce their carbon footprint including:²,⁵,⁶
-Idle-reduction practices, especially for large equipment that burns a lot of fuel
-Using local construction materials to reduce emissions from material transport
-Using cleaner, alternative fuels and upgrading construction equipment to reduce emissions

Construction sites can also account for a significant portion of polluted stormwater runoff, so construction site operators should ensure that the site is preserving erosion impacts and water quality throughout the duration of the project.⁷ Construction-related noise pollution is another concern among construction workers since it can eventually lead to a loss of hearing and other health effects. However, there are a number of actions that construction companies can take to protect their workers and the surrounding environment.⁸,⁹

Some of these noise controls include:
-Choosing low-noise machinery with sound-absorbing materials
-Implement equipment muffler requirements
-Operate noisy machinery when fewer workers are on-site
-Add noise barriers between the noise and the worker
-Offer hearing protection, such as ear plugs, for workers
-Provide quiet areas for workers during breaks
-Incorporate complaint mechanisms for workers and the community

How it Helps

Actions such as reducing fuel consumption, minimizing idling, and improving/upgrading construction equipment will lead to significant environmental improvements in both air and water quality. Implementing noise controls can benefit workers and the surrounding community members and wildlife. Purchasing sustainable or recycled materials and using renewable energy in construction practices can prevent contamination, reduce construction costs, and increase resiliency.⁷

Implementing

Worker Training:

Construction companies should provide proper training for their workers regarding safety protocols, emissions impacts, and early signs of noise-induced hearing loss. This training will ensure that workers are prioritizing both their personal health and the health of the surrounding environment.

Time of Day:

One potential solution to minimizing the construction sector’s impact on emissions and noise levels is to choose the time of day to operate construction equipment based on traffic levels. For example, construction activities could take place at nighttime when there are fewer vehicles on the road to decrease congestion associated with lane closures due to construction. This would also reduce the number of individuals on the road who are exposed to equipment emissions and high noise levels.

Equity Concerns:

To ensure that certain populations are not disproportionately impacted from construction activities, contractors will have to be cognizant that actions to reduce their carbon footprints apply to their construction projects in all communities, including historically marginalized or low-income neighborhoods. This may require additional policies to guarantee that contractors are held to the same standard, no matter the community they are working in.

Examples

1) Port Authority’s Clean Construction Program

Port Authority of New York and New Jersey’s Clean Construction Program contains sustainable construction requirements, including low-emission equipment. Its goal is to reduce construction projects’ impacts on the surrounding community.

https://www.panynj.gov/port-authority/en/about/Environmental-Initiatives/clean-construction.html

1. Sizirici, Banu, et al. (2021). A Review of Carbon Footprint Reduction in Construction Industry, from Design to Operation. Materials, 14(20). https://doi.org/10.3390/ma14206094

2. EPA. (2022). Reducing Diesel Emissions from Construction and Agriculture. https://www.epa.gov/dera/reducing-diesel-emissions-construction-and-agriculture

3. https://www.worldgbc.org/sites/default/files/WorldGBC_Bringing_Embodied_Carbon_Upfront.pdf

4. Sezer, A. A., et al. (2021). Environmental impact of construction transport and the effects of building certification schemes. Resources, Conservation, and Recycling, 172. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.resconrec.2021.105688Sezer, A. A., et al. (2021). Environmental impact of construction transport and the effects of building certification schemes. Resources, Conservation, and Recycling, 172. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.resconrec.2021.105688

5. Jones, E. (2023). 5 Ways to Reduce Your Construction Carbon Footprint. ProjectSight. https://projectsight.trimble.com/reduce-embodied-carbon-on-your-next-building-project/

6. Ways to Decrease Your Environmental Impact in the Construction Industry. https://thompsontractor.com/blog/ways-to-decrease-your-environmental-impact-in-the-construction-industry/

7. EPA. (2005). Stormwater Phase II Final Rule Construction Site Runoff Control Minimum Control Measure. https://www3.epa.gov/npdes/pubs/fact2-6.pdf

8. BigRentz. (2021). How to Prevent Noise Pollution in Construction. https://www.bigrentz.com/blog/how-to-prevent-noise-pollution

9. AASHTO Center for Environmental Excellence. Traffic Noise & Transportation. https://environment.transportation.org/education/environmental-topics/traffic-noise/traffic-noise-overview/