There is no denying the increasing importance of being environmentally responsible. No matter your industry, taking time to ensure you’re doing what’s best for our planet is essential to a healthier future. The construction industry needs to keep up with environmental progression, maybe even more so than other industries.
So, why do those of us in construction need to work harder than others to do right by the environment? Because building new structures and roads can sometimes have an unfortunate side effect on nature.
How can we minimise the environmental impact of the construction industry?
Fortunately, there are ways to positively combat the impact construction has. That’s where we come in. Did you know that hiring plant is more beneficial for the environment than buying? In this post, we’ll explain the environmental benefits of hiring versus owning.
Resource efficiency
Resource efficiency is all about using resources like staff, equipment, and materials efficiently, effectively and economically to minimise your impact on the environment. You can practice resource efficiency in a wide number of ways, including making small, simple changes. An example of this could be swapping out your office light bulbs for LED bulbs or putting more effort into waste recycling.
So, how can the construction industry utilise resource efficiency to help support a thriving environment? In several ways, such as investing in a good waste management service, keeping regular maintenance schedules to extend the life of your equipment, and hiring your plant.
By renting your heavy machinery and equipment, fewer machines are produced and wasted. This is because hired equipment is typically used more intensively. By using the same plant again and again with maintenance and repairs to extend its life, there is less need to create new machinery, therefore skipping out on the environmental damage caused by production.
Carbon footprint reduction
A hot-button topic of the last several decades, climate change cannot be ignored. We are feeling the effects daily, and it’s down to all of us to do what we can to mitigate it. In the construction world, one way to do this is to hire the heavy machinery you need.
Most hiring companies, us included, offer a wide range of plant, including the latest models. These newer designs are more fuel-efficient and less polluting, meaning you’ve secured yourself a machine that does less environmental damage, should you hire it. If you choose to own a machine, you’d have to continuously purchase the newest model to stay on top of environmental upgrades. With hiring, you’ll get the best and most efficient model every time, helping you reduce your environmental impact.
Flexibility and sustainability
Everyone knows that there’s a certain flexibility that comes with hiring, whether it be a home, car, or construction plant. The hassle that comes with selling something and getting what it’s worth is skipped over completely when hiring because your hired equipment can simply be returned. Choosing to own machinery can lead to overuse and overconsumption, both detrimental to the climate.
Companies that own their plant will often try to create workarounds when they realise they don’t have the exact machinery they need. This can lead to fuel inefficiency, damage, excess pollution, and increased idle times, all of which can increase negative environmental impact. On-demand availability allows you to hire exactly what you need and when you need it, resulting in no cut corners, optimum efficiency, and a job well done.
Overconsumption can be found everywhere now, and it’s our duty to try to mitigate it. By hiring plant, you won’t be buying machines over and over to suit each and every requirement, which may only be temporary. Hire what you need for the exact time period you need it for, and you eliminate over-consumption from that area of your business.
Choose the environment by hiring plant
Every industry needs to prioritise the future of our planet and the environment we’ll leave behind for future generations. We need to make choices that will benefit the earth, even if they are unfamiliar to us and the way we’re used to working.
By making a range of changes in our businesses within the construction landscape, we can play our part towards mitigating climate change. These changes can start small and, fortunately, will still help to make a difference.
Hire your plant for a more efficient and flexible way to operate, and know that you’re doing your bit to help support a healthier environment. Reduce your carbon footprint, enhance your efficiency, and even save yourself some money by renting heavy machinery as and when you need it.
If you want to learn more, or you’re ready to get that army of diggers sent to your site, get in touch today. Our friendly and professional team are here to help and answer any questions you have. Call us on 0330 118 5030 for a chat, or use our live chat or enquiry form.