Program helps construction industry reduce waste and carbon

Circular construction accelerator is a program to help sustainable building. (Sandor Gyarmati/Delta Optimist)

Source: Delta Optimist

Written by: Phil Melnychuk

Putting up new homes and condo towers is a messy business, which creates lots of waste and carbon dioxide, which Light House tries to reduce through encouraging sustainable building and practices.

To help others do the same, Light House, a consulting company for green building, offers a program called the Circular Construction Accelerator, which helps construction-related businesses find better ways to operate.

Through the accelerator, businesses will get one-on-one help developing products, reducing waste, finding alternative sourcing of materials and enhancing growth.

“A circular built environment is grounded in three principles: eliminate waste through upstream design, optimize material use and lifecycle, and regenerate natural systems,” Gil Yaron, managing director, circular innovation, with Light House, said in a news release.

The Circular Construction Accelerator is supported by Pacific Economic Development Canada.

The program is providing the help while also addressing one of B.C.’s largest waste streams, namely construction, renovation and demolition materials.

Last year, the program helped six companies, including a demolition company in Nanaimo that follows “eco-conscious” deconstruction and a company in Delta, Infina Technologies, that uses a technique that reduces the volume and carbon footprint of concrete in buildings.

The program has been a “game-changer” for Infina, said company president Manveer Pattar.

“It gave our team access to expert insight and tailored support that helped strengthen our business model and sharpen our messaging. “Being part of a cohort of innovative, sustainability-driven companies also reinforced the larger purpose behind our work  — keeping valuable materials in use and out of landfills.”