Environment

We need a more sustainable construction sector. Find tools and guides to support your team's work towards reducing carbon and more sustainable construction practices.

Auckland Council has provided advice to help clarify how building waste should be managed:
The free collection of flood damaged household items does not extend to building materials. Please DO NOT put building material on the kerbside as it will then be classified as illegal dumping
The homeowner or builder needs to arrange a private collection of solid waste from sites. Builders need to understand their responsibilities and legal responsibilities for disposing of building waste. Disposal of solid waste from buildings(external link)
Any waste should be contained in some way, so it isn't blown away
Skips are in high demand at the moment. There are a number of companies that supply skips in Auckland and other regions, it may pay to shop around
Where skips are not available, flexible bins, which are readily available at hardware stores can be used for containing building waste prior to collection
Builders can also transport building materials to transfer stations themselves. Rubbish transfer stations list(external link)
Where possible, consider diverting recovered materials from landfill
Flood damaged materials are potentially hazardous, even once dried out. Use appropriate PPE including gloves and masks when handling flood damaged items
If you have flood damaged refrigeration equipment such as fridges or heat pumps, these must be de-gassed before being removed. Disposing of refrigeration equipment information(external link)

"We appreciate that there is a lot of pressure on the building sector to act quickly to help people put their homes back together. Auckland Council will continue to provide additional information about alternatives for storing and transporting waste, and options for how to divert recovered materials from landfill." Auckland Council.

Useful links

Cleaning your home and disposing of waste(external link) - aucklandemergencymanagement.org.nz

Disposing of storm related waste(external link) - ourauckland.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz

Make the most of waste(external link) - makethemostofwaste.co.nz

Disposing of construction waste(external link) - branz.co.nz

Carbon emissions

Building for Climate Change Framework

Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment's (MBIE) regulatory proposal to reduce emissions from buildings during their construction and operation, while also preparing buildings to withstand the impacts of climate change.

Building for Climate Change(external link)

Embodied carbon in building materials

BRANZ CO₂NSTRUCT datasheet provides values for embodied greenhouse gas and energy for some construction materials.

BRANZ CO₂NSTRUCT(external link)

Toitū Envirocare Carbon Emission Reduction Programme

New Zealand Government Procurement (NZGP) access to government rates for Toitū Envirocare Carbon emission reduction programme designed to measure, manage and reduce carbon emissions.

NZGP Carbon emission reduction programme(external link)

Transition to a zero-carbon built environment programme

BRANZ tools that industry can use to assess and manage climate change within their organisation.

BRANZ zero carbon built environment transition(external link)

Build climate action into your strategy

Climate Action Toolbox step by step guide on how to use the risks and opportunities of climate change to update your business strategy and include a climate focus.

Build climate action into your strategy(external link) - business.govt.nz

How climate action affects your finances

Climate Action Toolbox step by step guide to taking climate action to boost your finances.

Your areas for climate action(external link) - business.govt.nz

Carbon Neutral Government Programme

Ministry for the Environment introduction to the Carbon Neutral Government Programme that aims to reduce the emissions within the public sector.

Carbon Neutral Government Programme(external link) - environment.govt.nz

Measure your carbon footprint

Climate Action Toolbox step by step guide to measuring the businesses carbon footprint and how to reduce your emissions.

Measure your carbon footprint(external link) - business.govt.nz

Watercare case study on partnering for carbon reduction

The Accord Beacon showcases the Watercare project on reducing carbon production in infrastructure construction.

Watercare-partnering for carbon reduction - Accord Beacon(external link)

Whole of life embodied carbon emissions reduction framework

Ministry of Business Innovation and Employement's (MBIE) strategic approach to address the whole-of-life embodied carbon emissions.

Carbon emissions reduction framework(external link) - mbie.govt.nz

Sustainability

Whole-of-Life Procurement Guide

New Zealand Government Procurement (NZGP) guide to considering the lifetime costs and impact of construction projects and the benefits of focusing on long-term value over cheapest cost.

NZGP Whole-of-Life Procurement Guide(external link)