Green and Lean Methodology Reduces Building Costs

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Evelyn Long

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5328 Last modified by the author on 12/03/2021 - 22:07
Green and Lean Methodology Reduces Building Costs

Lean methodology dates back to the end of World War 2, when Japanese factory owners started adopting American production techniques — and then looked for ways to improve them. Toyota took manufacturing procedures from Ford, who was an industry leader at the time, and reworked them. Small manufacturing batches, efficient setups and reduced waste became the foundation for what the world knows as lean manufacturing today. 

The Paris Climate Accord and other legislation has also shifted the world’s focus toward green and sustainable manufacturing practices. All people, from first-time homeowners to business moguls and those in between, are looking for a way to reduce their carbon footprints and make their homes and workplaces greener. How are these two trends working, both together and separately, to reduce building costs?

Lean Construction Tenets

What makes manufacturing lean? According to industry experts, there are six principles to lean manufacturing, each with their own components and each complimenting the others. The six tenets of lean manufacturing are: 

  1. Optimizing the Whole
  2. Removing waste
  3. Focusing on Process & Flow
  4. Generating Value
  5. Continuous Improvement
  6. Respect for People

Anyone looking to improve their business practices and jobsite efficiency should consider taking on pieces of lean manufacturing or transitioning their business to a fully lean model. How does this model help reduce building costs?

Reduced Waste at Every Level

One of the primary tenets of lean construction and manufacturing is the reduction of waste — and that doesn’t just mean reducing the amount of leftover construction material or garbage hauled to the landfill at the end of every job. Waste can mean anything from over-ordering and overproduction to time wasted during each task. 

Using lean methodology is a green way to reduce waste and lowers the amount of items sent to landfills. With the EPA estimating that the industry generated upwards of 600 million tons of construction and demolition waste in 2018, this trend can reduce the sheer amount of construction waste in landfills over time.

Comprehensive Training in Construction

Operator training is an essential component in creating a safe and productive team, but it shouldn’t end as soon as a new hire finishes their onboarding. This concept is especially true for companies looking to incorporate lean practices into their operations. Take a closer look at any new technologies or techniques recently adopted. Are they helping or having a negative impact on the work process?

If the job site is experiencing close calls when it comes to accidents or finds that fuel costs are higher than they should be, it might be time to consider updated comprehensive training for new and existing employees. Everyone can benefit from continued education and continual training. 

Recycled Building Materials

Most companies opt for new materials when constructing a new building, but opting for reclaimed or recycled materials can be just as effective and better for the environment in the long run. Companies can reclaim any substance that isn’t hazardous, like steel, glass, brick, concrete, lumber and asphalt. They can break down any material they don’t reclaim and remake it into other useful construction materials. 

Anywhere from 90 to 95% of waste materials can be reclaimed and recycled, which helps companies maintain lean construction methods and become a more sustainable business. 

Alternative Building Materials

Along the same vein as using recycled materials, there is the option of using alternative materials during the construction process. Instead of using new steel, lumber and traditional cement, companies can opt for more sustainable and environmentally friendly materials. 

Recycled steel generates 50% less CO emissions than processing new steel. While just as hard as wood, bamboo as a building material produces up to 35% more oxygen and can mature in under five years. 

Concrete can use things like fly ash or blast furnace slag as part of their aggregate, making it more eco-friendly, and reduces waste from other industries that would otherwise end up in landfills. 

Looking Forward to Lean, Green Building Principles

Green construction and lean techniques go hand in hand, especially those that focus on waste reduction. It will take some time for companies mired in tradition to begin adopting these new procedures. However, as the push toward green and sustainable construction continues to gain steam, it will likely continue to grow in popularity and accessibility.

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