The first thing that comes to mind when it comes to saving the environment is recycling. However, recycling can be a great option to reduce carbon footprint, but it might not be enough. 
Construction professionals can go the extra mile to reduce waste and conserve resources as you are directly connected to energy and water to improve the health and sanitation of society. 
5 Environment-friendly Practices for Construction Industry 
You will be appreciated if you show these 5 proven sustainable ways to your customers that also save them expenses on water and energy bills. 
1. Put Efforts Towards Defining Global Standard for Net-zero 
Net-zero carbon dioxide emission is achieved by a building when it doesn’t add any new carbon dioxide to the atmosphere. Unfortunately, the construction industry has no defined international standard for Net-zero carbon emission. 
There are scattered interpretations globally. One of them is the UN’s “race to zero” campaign, which suggests removing carbon from the atmosphere to reach net zero. It can be done through biomass or air capture technology. Other ways of offsetting carbon, such as deferring emissions via renewable energy, are also suggested. 
Accurate quantification of the standards to achieve a net-zero model needs to be defined for the construction and plumbing industry. Otherwise, motivating the sector to work towards sustainability is challenging. 
2. Identify & Mitigate the Risk 
Understanding the risk of environmental changes like high heat and other extreme weather conditions is vital. Sometimes, you may need to implement more than one option. Thus, the industry should devise ways to assess risk according to typical environmental threats and be ready with probable solutions. 
These solutions can be tailored according to different locations and regions. And they may include removing the risk source and reactive element from your fittings, applying preventive techniques, or simply being equipped with relevant insurance and contingency plan. 
3. Develop a Climate Adaptation Framework 
As a plumbic professional, the management of strategic, financial, and operational tasks are familiar concepts for you. A proper framework is prepared in most cases for handling these aspects. It’s time to prepare a framework to include sustainability in your overall operations and policies. 
The champion executives can be appointed from all over the construction industry to form a committee for managing climate change. They can develop strategies, risk-assessment methodology, appropriate action plans, and monitoring processes according to the increasing global warming and environmental threat. 
4. Leverage Technology to Save Resources 
You can be your customer’s favorite if you can educate them and provide them with the technology to prevent water leakage. Remote sensing devices are available for this purpose. They can detect the leakage in the ground by checking the water flow, pressure, and temperature. 
This technology can prevent water waste along with saving property damage and repair costs by timely detection of the leak. These leak detection sensors are super easy to install in homes and offices. The cost of the sensors may seem a lot up front, but it’s nothing in front of the money it saves in water usage. 
5. Provide & Promote Sustainable Solutions 
Add an angle of sustainability to all the services you provide. Some of the eco-friendly solutions that the construction industry should offer to consumers on priority are:- 

• Solar pressure regulators 
• Rainwater capturing & filtering system 
• Solar water heater 
• Low flow toilets 
• Trenchless solutions 

• Grey water reuse systems 
• Tankless water heaters 

Promoting these environmentally friendly solutions and products can significantly increase your market goodwill and online reviews. It’s an opportunity and responsibility of every construction professional that they not only inform but promote sustainability amongst their customers. 
Signing off! 
When it comes to decreasing the carbon footprints, the construction industry and professionals are yet to emulate other aware business sectors. Thus, you collectively should put efforts into research to expand the possibilities of implementing eco-friendly and green solutions for customers. 
The proven and expert tips mentioned in this post will definitely help you to carry out your operations in a more sustainable way. 

Photo Credit: Erich Lawson

Author Bio: Erich Lawson is passionate about saving the environment through effective recycling techniques and modern innovations. He works with Compactor Management Company and writes on a variety of topics related to recycling, including tips and advice on how balers, compactors and shredders can be used to reduce industrial waste. He loves helping businesses understand how to lower their monthly garbage bills and increase revenue from recycling.