How to reduce waste in your renovation project

Renovating your home is an exciting journey, but without careful planning, it can also generate a surprising amount of unnecessary waste. By making thoughtful choices during the design and construction stage, you can reduce environmental impact while still achieving a beautiful and functional space. From repurposing existing materials to selecting sustainable options, here’s how you can create a renovation that’s both stylish and waste-conscious:

Design Stage

One way to reduce waste in the long term is by selecting quality, durable materials that will stand the test of time. When selecting hard surfaces like flooring, benchtops and cabinetry, we recommend materials that can also be refinished or repaired. For example, solid timber flooring and natural stone benchtops can both be sanded back and refinished when needed.

When selecting finishes and fixtures, it's also important to understand whether these can be recycled. This will determine whether the item will eventually end up in landfill. For example, porcelain benchtops can be recycled but mineral surfaces (no silica reconstituted stone) cannot. Some brands also have programs to take back their products for recycling at the end of it's life.

When working with older homes, there are often certain existing features that add so much character. If possible, consider reusing some of these things, like doors and door handles, or refinishing them, like a solid timber flooring or reupholstering a window seat. If you want add even more character, you can also consider using some second-hand items like mirrors or lights.

On site

Demolition is one of the most wasteful parts of a home renovation. Before demolition day, try to salvage cabinetry, bricks, timber, and novelty tiles. You can put these up for sale online, particularly if they are still in excellent condition, or you can take them to a salvage yard.

If possible, we also recommend having designated bins for timber, metal, plaster, and general waste to improve recycling rates. Ensure your builder is strict about these items being separated accordingly to avoid any issues. Alternatively, you can hire a demolition contractor who is focused on the reducing waste and recycling.

When ordering materials and finishes, ensure unnecessary excess material is not being ordered. Most of the materials, fittings and fixtures will arrive to site covered in packaging. It's important that any cardboard packaging is set aside to be recycled and not placed with the general waste. Avoid having writing or stickers on any boxes - if anything needs to be returned, suppliers will only take these back if the box is intact. For large quantities delivered on a palette, you can ask suppliers if possible to return palettes to them, or you can leave them at designated recycling centers.

Thank you for taking the time to read our blog post. Have a wonderful week!

Nina xx