These days, we are all trying to think a little bit more proactively when it comes to our carbon footprints. It has been impossible to ignore all the news stories in the last couple of years about the impact of global warming. We have seen an increase in extreme weather events, the floods, the rising temperatures around the world, and the dire warnings from climate scientist.
Sometimes, it can feel like there is very little that we can do individually to take positive action. However, the fact is that anything that we can do when it comes to making the right choices will have an impact. And there are some activities that are always going to have a bigger environmental impact than others.
Now, anyone who is planning a major conversion or renovation to an old property knows that there is always a laundry list of things to take care of. No major project like this happens overnight, and it is never a one-person job. No, you are going to be at this for months at the least, and you are going to need to bring in some experts to help you through it.
This is something that can have a major environmental impact if you do not go about things in the right way. Of course, there are some environmental steps that you will need to take that are required by law. But there are others that you can choose to take of your own volition that can be just as important in the long run. Let’s break down some of the most important.
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Get An Ecology Survey
First things first, one of the most important things that you need to do if you are planning a project that involves conversion, construction, demolition, or removal work is to find out if you need to have an ecological survey done.
There are several conditions that would require you to have this kind of survey conducted, so it is always better to be on the safe side. This survey will look in detail at the impact that the work that you are planning is going to have on the area in question, and how it may affect any animals or important plant life that is living in that region.
For example, you may well have seen the stories about how many UK bird species’ populations are dwindling as a result of the loss of their natural habitats, and UK bats in particular are struggling. If you want to learn more about the importance of ecology surveys and what your responsibilities are, visit Ecology Surveys. They can get your survey done quickly and efficiently and they can give you a same day quote.
Consider Your Materials
With any major project like this, you are always going to be up against the clock. Whether you are struggling to meet the desired move-in date, working to a specific window that has been set by a contractor, or are simply racing to beat the oncoming bad weather, you are never going to be spoilt for time.
When you are in this situation, it can be tempting to take some shortcuts when it comes to your materials. We know that it can be cheaper to opt for new materials. However, it is also true that these cheaper materials will rarely be sourced sustainably.
The choices you make with the materials that you use in your construction and renovation work will have some of the biggest environmental consequences. That is why it is so important that you make the extra effort to find materials that are either recycled or have been sourced sustainably. If the environmental impact of the materials is not clear on the suppliers’ website, then get in touch and ask. This brings us to our next point.
Work With Responsible Suppliers And Contractors
No one ever gets rolling on a major property project alone, and you will almost certainly be working with at least one external team during the course of the work. When you are going through offers and talking to the teams pitching you on the work, make sure that you set some time aside to talk to them about their environmental policy.
Governments are taking more and more steps to ensure that good environmental practices are part of the law, but you will want to make sure that the people that you will be working with are taking this issue just as seriously as you are. Any contractor or firm worth their salt will be able to brief you on the additional steps that they are taking to ensure that their work has a minimal environmental impact, from the vehicles that they use to the materials they will be working with.
When looking for a waste removal contractor, for example, make sure to hire someone with a good reputation to ensure your waste is disposed of in an environmentally-friendly way. Some waste “contractors” are actually cowboys who simply fly-tip waste wherever they can, so do plenty of research before hiring anyone. You may want to look at hiring a company like Temporary Dumpster, for instance, if you’re looking for responsible waste removal services in the Florida area.
Make Green Choices In The Building
One of the biggest issues that many people are facing right now is skyrocketing energy bills. One of the main reasons why energy bills are going to be so high for so many people is that they are living in homes that were not made to deal with the climate that we are living in right now, and the impact of this climate is only going to become more severe.
If you are converting, renovating, or building a property, it is your responsibility to ensure that it is as best equipped to handle the weather that is on the way as possible. For example, insulation needs to be a huge priority to ensure that the building is warm in the winter and cool in the summer. Make sure that you are not going to be wasting lots of energy because of the choices that you have made at this stage.
You could also think about how you can incorporate energy-friendly choices into the home. Solar panels are going to be so important in the years to come, so why not think about installing a few early on? From water to electricity, these choices are going to have a major impact further down the line.
