The construction industry is one of the largest consumers of plastic worldwide, accounting for nearly 20% of global plastic use. And while most of that plastic is durable and long-lasting, plenty of it still ends up as waste on job sites.
Recent studies from construction sites in Auckland, NZ, found they generated an average of 0.61 kg of plastic waste per square meter of built space. On a 10,000 ft² site, that adds up to roughly 570 kg – enough to fill half of a typical 10-yard dumpster.
Numbers like that show us that even mid-sized projects can make a real impact by improving how they handle plastic waste. The good news is, a few simple steps can make a big difference in what gets recycled and what ends up in the landfill.
Common Sources of Plastic Waste on Construction Sites
A lot of that waste comes from just a few materials used across most job sites, including:
PVC piping, mostly used for plumbing and electrical conduit
Polystyrene insulation, found in wall systems and roofing
HDPE sheeting, used as vapor barriers or protective liners
Plastic packaging, such as wrap, film, bags, and foam inserts from delivered materials
Temporary surface protection, like plastic floor coverings or window films
Which Plastics Can Be Recycled on Construction Sites?
Just because something could be recycled in theory doesn’t mean it will be in practice. Most construction sites don’t have the time, staff, or setup to clean every piece of plastic, and recycling centers won’t accept contaminated loads.
The plastics that stand the best chance of being recycled are the ones that are rigid, clean, and not mixed with other materials. Things like leftover PVC pipe or cut HDPE sheets fall into this category because they’re single-type plastics, meaning they’re made from one kind of resin with no coatings, adhesives, or layers to deal with.
Recyclers prefer these materials because they’re easy to identify, sort, and break down. Rigid plastics also tend to be cleaner to begin with, especially when they come straight from cutting or installation.
When a plastic is uniform and uncontaminated, it can usually be ground into pellets and reused in manufacturing with minimal processing. That makes it much more likely to be accepted by recycling facilities and actually turned into something new.
But even then, it depends on your location. Some areas have good recycling programs for construction waste, while others won’t take anything beyond cardboard and scrap metal.
Why Dumpsters Are the Best Option For Recycling Plastic on Construction Sites
Every construction site needs specific dumpsters just for plastics. Without them, plastics end up mixed with other debris, making recycling impossible due to contamination. But even when plastics are separated from other waste, they still need to be sorted by type, as mixing them can ruin the whole load.
Sourgum can help by providing roll-off dumpsters in sizes tailored specifically for your construction site's plastic recycling needs. Our dumpsters range from compact 10-yard options for smaller cleanups to large 40-yard containers.
We work hard to keep as much material out of landfills as possible by partnering with facilities that specialize in recycling construction plastics. On top of that, we plant a tree for every dumpster rental to help reduce the environmental impact of each project.
Sourgum makes it easy to keep your plastic recycling organized and your construction site clean. Contact us and schedule a roll-off dumpster rental today for a construction project!
How Do You Get Your Crew to Dispose of Plastic Correctly?
The first step to successful plastic recycling on a job site isn’t just knowing what’s recyclable, but making sure there’s a clear, consistent system that the entire crew actually follows.
Most workers already recognize the materials they use every day, but without clear guidance on what goes where, it’s easy to slip into habits that lead to contamination.
Give your workers a clear rundown of the plastic types your site is using and which ones need to be separated. Make this part of onboarding for new hires and include short refreshers during daily or weekly safety meetings.
You can also label dumpsters clearly and place posters or laminated guides nearby showing examples of each plastic type. Using photos of actual site materials (like leftover pieces of plastic pipe or packaging film) goes a long way in making it easier for workers to recognize what goes where.
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