How to Reduce Concrete Waste on Construction Projects
Concrete waste is costing your business money
Every cubic metre of wasted concrete affects profitability. Many contractors focus on the immediately visible costs of their projects – e.g. equipment pricing, material pricing, labour. However, often overlooked are the hidden costs of concrete waste – e.g. over-ordering, rework, disposal and inefficiencies.
If you’re looking to reduce concrete waste, small improvements can deliver significant savings, from project planning through to equipment selection and use.
Where does concrete waste come from?
Common causes include:
- Over/under ordering material
- Rejected loads and quality issues
- Precise project quantities required are unkown
- Delays during placement, including equipment breakdowns
These issues not only increase material costs but can also impact project schedules.
Five ways to reduce concrete waste
- Improve quantity estimation
Accurate quantity calculations reduce the likelihood of incorrect material volumes. However, in practice, this can be very difficult.
- Adequate and frequent equipment maintenance
Breakdowns of key equipment (e.g. concrete pumps) often result in wasted product, delays and re-work.
- Train and educate equipment operators
Experienced operators improve efficiency, minimise errors, prolong the life of equipment and conduct work safely.
- Monitor material usage
Tracking actual consumption against estimates helps identify inefficiencies.
- Use the right equipment
Modern mixing, pumping and material handling equipment can significantly improve efficiency and reduce waste.
The financial impact of reducing waste
Even a small reduction in waste can produce substantial savings across multiple projects.
Less waste means:
- Lower material costs
- Reduced disposal expenses
- Improved productivity
- Better project margins
For guidance on sustainable concrete practices, the Cement Concrete & Aggregates Australia (CCAA) provides useful industry resources:
https://www.ccaa.com.au
Turn waste reduction into a competitive advantage
Contractors who successfully reduce concrete waste often gain a significant advantage through improved efficiency and profitability, and through reduced re-work.
At CGS Equipment, we work with contractors across Australia to improve productivity through reliable equipment and practical solutions.
Our world-leading Volumetric Concrete Mixers allow operators to produce concrete on site to the exact quantities required – completely eliminating waste and the associated issues encountered when ordering ready-mix concrete.
We also offer a large range of high quality concrete pumps and mixers, recognised for their durability and reliability.
Our technical, service and parts teams are always on hand to ensure your equipment is operating to its full potential.
Contact our friendly team today to discuss ways to reduce concrete waste and maximise profitability on your next project.