A consideration not to be discarded, waste management across the real estate sector continues to gain more salience and momentum as companies intensify efforts in climate action.
Across the lifecycle of a property – from construction and development to daily operations – significant amount of waste is generated. This includes rebar, steel and concrete produced during the construction, renovation and demolition phases, to other waste products generated through day-to-day operations.
The building and construction sector accounts for at least 30% of the world’s overall waste and 40% of the world’s annual greenhouse gas emissions. Mobilising effective and responsible waste management in the sector will bolster efforts towards a net-zero carbon future.
Championing sustainable waste management practices across our properties
Led by our Purpose – Inspiring experiences, creating places for good. – we apply responsible and effective waste management across the property lifecycle. This remains a critical aspect of our operations.
As a multinational real estate company committed to a net-zero goal by 2050, we implement a broad variety of initiatives, among which include increasing our recycling rates, diverting waste from landfills, tracking waste disposal across our properties and promoting active and proper waste management across our communities.
We have also introduced innovative and real-life solutions to manage waste and emissions during the early stages of the property lifecycle.
The Tube
The Tube is Frasers Property Industrial’s multifunctional industrial and commercial park in Dusseldorf-Reisholz, Germany. Currently undergoing a demolition and construction phase, it is on track to achieving a major sustainability milestone with one of the highest levels of energy efficiency.
The future-ready park will incorporate photovoltaic systems on all possible roof area for net positive electricity production. Roof light bands will also be installed to bring in daylight, while modern LED lighting in office and warehouse areas will ensure efficient energy consumption. Intelligent smart metering systems will also be incorporated to monitor energy consumption for potential savings. To play its part in supporting biodiversity and microclimate, there is also an area with fruit trees that provides recreational possibilities.
Artist Impression of The Tube
The Tube is set to target its first-ever gold certification, which will be audited by energy consultant e2 energieberatung GmbH for its well-managed and transparent demolition of an industrial site. This certification supports a systematic approach to plan and report deconstruction measures in order to consistently close material flows, promote a higher value of the building stock and establish solutions in line with circular economy principles.
The ongoing demolition of The Tube, overseen by Prangenberg & Zaum GmbH, follows a detailed resource-saving concept. Effective waste management practices are well underway, including sorting all recyclable materials beforehand and segregating construction waste into designated zones using various recycling facilities.
As of January 2023, 5,000 tonnes of construction waste have been purposefully separated for reuse during construction. Another 920 tonnes of raw materials such as concrete, steel, glass, and plastic, were also separated for disposal, with high attention to efficient transport routes and material flows.
One Bangkok
One Bangkok is a mixed-use development with sustainability as a core development principle in its district designs and operations. It has incorporated advanced systems and innovative technology solutions that help to reduce resource consumption and increase internal efficiencies.
For example, its latest IoT waste data recording and accompanying online dashboard enable real-time monitoring of its waste management performance to optimise waste collection, manage waste more efficiently, improve recycling efforts and holistically reduce environmental impact.
Smart Bins: IoT-enabled smart bins can detect when they are full and automatically alert waste management teams to collect them. This helps to optimise waste collection routes.
Waste Monitoring: Sensors placed in waste containers help to monitor waste levels. This information can be used to optimise recycling efforts and reduce the amount of waste sent to landfills.
Waste Segregation: IoT technology can improve waste segregation by providing real-time feedback to users. Sensors placed in recycling bins can help to detect when non-recyclables are present and alert users to remove them.
By implementing sustainable practices in waste management, One Bangkok aims to be Thailand’s first LEED Neighbourhood Development Platinium development with towers built to LEED and WELL Platinum standards.
Through its strategic partnership with SCG, One Bangkok will continue to implement sustainable management of waste at scale and in accordance with circular economy principles. This encompasses recycling concrete waste into precast panels and developing of holistic waste and pollution management plan.
According to Mr. Nithi Patarachoke, President, Cement-Building Materials Business, SCG, “The constant growth of construction industry today has resulted in a huge increase of construction waste. As a manufacturer and distributor of construction materials, SCG is aware of the issue and adopted the concept of circular economy in the development of innovative products and services. Our partnership with One Bangkok encompasses the design of new concrete mix from waste concrete from the construction into the production of precast items, creating value from waste materials and the development of a holistic waste management plan for waste construction materials at the project.”
Artist Impression of the Civic Plaza at One Bangkok looking towards The Forum
Artist Impression of One Bangkok, an integrated mixed-use development by Frasers Property scheduled for opening in Q4 2023.
A collective effort
The responsible and effective management of waste across a property’s lifecycle – from investment to design, development and operations – remains a multi-stakeholder endeavour. Frasers Property continues to partner like-minded stakeholders in financing, construction, demolition, operations, as well as the community comprising tenants, customers and visitors.
The intensification of these partnerships help to sustain, scale up and accelerate efforts in effective waste management, and bring about larger and meaningful impact. And there will be no effort wasted.