Benefits and Limitations of Using Recycled Grey Water in New Homes

This report discusses the benefits and limitations of using recycled grey water in new homes. It explores how grey water can be reused for various purposes, such as toilet flushing and garden irrigation, and how it can help conserve water, reduce sewage flows, save energy, and lower costs. The report also highlights the strategies adopted by New Zealand in water management and the use of sustainable materials like timber and plastic in construction.

Running head: SUSTAINABLE BUILDING REPORT
Sustainable Building Report
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SUSTAINABLE BUILDING REPORT 2
Question 1
Using Renewable and Recycled Materials in the Construction of New Homes in New
Zealand
Sustainability of resources in the environment has become an important factor in the
world today. Resources that are renewable and can be recycled are desirable for a cleaner and
safer, ensuring a better environment for our posterity. By recycling what would have otherwise
been waste products, new supplies are produced which can be used for a similar or different
purpose. Renewable resources are those that can naturally get replaced over time (Anderson &
Shiers, 2009). Climate change presents an environmental challenge that sustainability needs to
cab hence the need to spread awareness on the benefits of renewable and recyclable materials. A
number of countries including New Zealand have adopted the use of renewable and recycled
materials due to their environmental benefits in constructing new homes (Bolden, et al., 2013).
The whole process of demolishing a building produces massive amount of material
waste. According to Anderson and Shiers (2009), this debris amounts to 200 tons. However, it is
pivotal to the people involved in both the demolishing and renovation to combine ways in which
they will approach the whole process. In doing so, energy, and money will be saved by
individuals. In addition, they will also be a reduction in the embodied carbon as well as
pollution. In their estimation, Balzani and Armaroli (2010) state that the construction industry
produces more than 40% of waste. Nonetheless, it should be controlled in a friendly manner. One
can consider using recycling as a measure to save minerals, oil, water, soil, and raw materials in
this industry (Hui, 2010). A number of ways, which are able to manage and minimize waste,
apply in reuse and recycling processes.

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First, avoiding is a way of managing waste. Through it consequently, people isolate hard
waste in a way that neutralizes the loss brought about by water and wind. In the construction
industry, sand and concrete are materials of great value. The two are as a result of avoiding,
which is a crucial method of managing waste (Balzani and Armaroli, 2010). Another way of
avoiding waste is through pre-assembled parts utilization. To add on that, one can also keep a
distance from waste. Effective minimization of littering can be achieved by getting rid of litter
either in a three-sided litter equipment or in an area that is secure.
Group wet weather areas is a way that can be used to deal with waste developments
minimization. It is necessary for it reduces plumbing materials. In future, introducing a number
of designs that permit changes to be utilized in homes will help in the minimization of the
requirement for significant attractions (Bond, 2011). Bricks and steel are long lasting materials.
Additionally, they minimize replacement and repair of materials for a span of more than 50 years
(Safiuddin, et al., 2010).

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Reuse is the most successful method used in managing waste. Building, system reuse,
beds, boxes is cost effective as well as preserves energy. Cutting and storing off-cuts can be done
in a strategic selected location. These activities make short materials useful. In the reverse order
of construction, there is utter utilization of reuse materials during demolition. There is great need
for wastes and materials recycling by reuse (Hui, 2010). It is critical especially in keeping up
sustainability. This can be made possible in construction through using materials that are already
recycled or one containing the recycled contents, and recycling of cardboard and boxes.
Furniture can be made after materials in the site such as frames and timbers from floors,
weatherboards, and skirting board have been recycled (Safiuddin, et al., 2010). Reuse can also
apply for carpets in a better form through recycling to form secondary carpets. Washing un-set
concrete especially makes one obtain sand within the concrete. On the other hand, new concrete,
base, and fill can be achieved as products of recycling the small particles gotten from breaking of
set concrete. Another material that is useful and ought to be recycled is aluminum (Balzani and
Armaroli, 2010). It requires 5 per cent of energy to make, and its recycling leads to no value loss.

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Globally, aluminum is another not only recyclable material, but also useful in the
construction industry. There is total recycling of structural applications, facades, and divider
cladding (Guieysse, et al., 2013). On the other hand, in construction, glasses used are of great
significance nevertheless, they need to be isolated from the different glass types. They can be cut
and used as concrete aggregates as a way of recycling them. Plasterboards made from gypsum
produce harmful hydrogen sulfide whose smell is unpleasant (Safiuddin, et al., 2010). Therefore,
it is necessary to treat or recycle. In respect to this, granulating or changing into new plastic
items is a process that can be used to recycle plastics (Anderson & Shiers, 2009). Moreover,
plastics can also be reused because it produces negative effects in the ecosystem when allowed in
the environment. Prevention from damage of the blocks and tiles makes the possible to be reused
later. Tiles and blocks that are crushed can also be used as gravel, aggregates, and backfill
(Anderson & Shiers, 2009). When building, treat ought to be used maximally. Separation of
waste products in several litter traps reduces tipping and recycling fee. In some cases, however
much reuse and recycling is significant, on the other hand, recycling wastes is hard. Integrating
reusing and recycling by individuals is necessary in managing construction wastes toward low
embodied carbon.
Renewable & Recyclable Resources Case Study: Timber & Plastic
Sustainable materials exist in our environment and need to be used over those that are not
sustainable. Timber falls in the category of renewable and recyclable resource finding use in
construction and furniture among other industries (Arulrajah, 2012). It can therefore be used as
an eco-friendly material in construction due to it’ low carbon content thus helping in the
minimization of greenhouse gases.

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Despite being a sustainable material, timber presents a number of environmental
problems. A major problem is that to obtain timber trees have to be cut down (Herath at al.,
2011). Doing this haphazardly alters composition of various species and possible depletion of
nutrients, creating a negative effect on structure of forests (Ameli and Brandt, 2015). This has
been a hot topic for environmental activists torn between the pros and cons of using timber. Even
with timber being regarded as eco-friendly, as long there is non-sustainable logging or
deforestation global warming shall remain a threat.
Timber being the number one cause of deforestation, a sustainable alternative can be
sought (Dixit et al., 2010). Plastic is a non-biodegradable, non-renewable but recyclable material.
It is made from petrochemicals and can remolded into numerous different products. Because of
this, plastic has potentially longer sustainable life compared to timber (Bolden, et al., 2013). In
spite of this, the negative effect is they end up polluting the environment if not recycled.
As discussed in the two examples of materials, what can be deduced is that these
materials whether renewable or recyclable still have their advantages and disadvantages. It is
therefore important to understand how the earth can be made more sustainable by tapping in the
advantages that these materials have to offer (Rahman, et al., 2012). It would be of great benefit
if the renewable can be used without risking deforestation and the recyclable also used without
risking pollution.
Question 2
The benefits and limitations of using recycled grey water in new homes
Grey water can be defined as the waste water that is collected from showers, laundry, and
sinks and can be diverted from wastewater streams for reuse. Because greywater contains fewer

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pathogens as compared to domestic water, it is usually safer easier to use and safer to handle and
reuse for various purpose (Agar at al., 2009). Clean, fresh water is becoming a precious
commodity and many people have started to reconsider the choice of sending much of it into the
sewerage systems. One of the important interventions that are being done to solve this issue is
using recycled grey water in houses (Rahman, et al., 2012). Many people have begun to collect
water from washing machines, bathroom sinks and showers for reuse in toilet flushing, garden
irrigation and any other uses that do not require potable water.
As much as it might look dirty, greywater can be reused for different purposes and does
not really need to be discarded into the sewage framework as different kinds of wastewater do.
This implies it is not generally squandered water yet could be repurposed for sheltered and
advantageous uses, for example, yard water system (Hoekstra at al., 2011). It, in this manner,
serves to substitute new water for certain reasons along these lines taking into account water
preservation just as decreasing the measure of water that is sent into the sewage framework for
treatment (Bond, 2011).
The benefits of using recycled grey water in new buildings in New Zealand
New Zealand has adopted a number of strategies that are meant to deal with water
management in order to reduce its wastage in the construction of new building (Griffin, 2016).
Waste water management obtained from homes have benefited the community through the
recycling process thus reducing the water demands. Water demand can be reduced by reusing the
water that has already been used either for washing clothes or bathing (Kalochristianakis, et al.,
2016). By reusing grey water, an individual can essentially get twice the value out of the water

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brought in the new building. For instance, instead of utilizing 50 liters of water per day to shower
and 40 liters of water to per day to flush the toilet, a person can decide to use 50 liters of water
per day to shower and then he or she can use this same water to flush his or her toilet. In a new
building, greywater can also be used to irrigate flowers, plants and other vegetation around the
building (Griffin, 2016). Reducing water demand by recycling greywater can consequently save
water.
Another benefit of utilizing recycled grey water is minimizing sewage or septic flows. As
a result of reusing recycled grey water, an individual will minimize water supply demand which
will directly reduce sewage or septic wastewater (Guieysse, Béchet, & Shilton, 2013). In most
cases, this benefit is not important to everybody by anyone with a septic tank in a new building
can significantly minimize the load on the system which increases its lifespan enabling a person
to save (Rahman, et al., 2012). It is clear that areas that charge for water use also charge for the
sewerage generated. Therefore, minimizing water usage will subsequently decrease sewage and
save money in these areas (Herath at al., 2011). Even though this may not be a direct benefit that
someone can see on his or her monthly bill but the more we reduce water usage, the more we
reduce the amount of water to be treated in the municipal water treatment facilities (Hoekstra at
al., 2011). This may, in turn, provide assistance in controlling or minimizing future expansion
which lowers municipal costs.
Maintaining these costs at a lower level will be of advantage every individual which will
be realized through decreased water rates. The decrease of water sent to sewage plants
additionally prompts diminished dimensions in the measure of chemicals utilized in treating the
water (Hoekstra at al., 2011). With a little load, sewage treatment plants do not require as much
utilization of synthetic substances which is gainful to the earth as it diminishes both the expense

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of sewage treatment just as lessening the demand of chemical items that goes to profit nature. It
additionally diminishes the opportunity of incidental dumping of compound waste by sewage
handling organizations (Rahman, Keane, & Imteaz, 2012). Greywater use additionally decreases
the need to treat the yards with synthetic manures because of the supplements the water as of
now contains.
Reduction of power consumption is another benefit of using recycled grey water. By
minimizing water use and sewage releases, an individual will essentially save energy by
decreasing the amount of water that needs to be pumped or treated. According to the
Environmental Protection Agency, if a tap of 1.8gal/m3 is left for 5 minutes, it will consume
energy that can run a 60W bulb for 14 hours (Rahman, Keane, & Imteaz, 2012). The
fundamental idea behind using recycled grey water minimizes water to be treated and pumped
which subsequently saves electricity at a great extent. In addition to reducing power
consumption, using recycled grey water significantly saves money by reducing water demand as
well as reducing power supply that can be used to treat or pump water (Kalochristianakis, et al.,
2016). It is important for people to be more conscious of the use of water to positive impact and
conserve the environment in the future.
The use of recycled water in new buildings enables people to protect our vulnerable
resource. With the ever-increasing population and steady growth of industries, the strain on
water has become more and more visible. It is therefore critical for everybody to make a good
decision to conserve the environment and make sure that the coming generation will enjoy the
beauty of the planet (Hoekstra at al., 2011). It is therefore important for each of us to protect the
precious water resources to prevent future water problems in the future. As much as using

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recycled water protects fresh water from depletion, it also reclaims nutrients in lawns and garden
(Rahman, et al., 2012). Utilizing recycle grey water on the garden or lawn helps food and non-
food bearing plants to grow healthier. This is because recycled greywater contains phosphorus
and nitrogen that plants can use to grow instead of washing them down the drain (Herath at al.,
2011). Recycled grey water can be used to recharge groundwater. When greywater percolates
into the ground, they may recharge aquifers which can increase the amount of groundwater
thereby increasing the output.
Limitations of using recycled grey water in new buildings in New Zealand
As much as using recycled grey water has numerous benefits, it also has limitations. One
of the limitations of using recycled grey water can cause a diminished flow of sewerage in the
area. This is because less grey water will be deposited in the sewerage system which can
definitely cause some blockages in the sewerage system. On the other hand, if grey water is not
well filtered, harmful chemicals and substances in the grey water will consequently cause
diseases and some contamination (Guieysse, Béchet, & Shilton, 2013). Greywater that is made
up of toxic substances such as oils, cleansers, oils, and hairs may cause diseases because of the
dangerous chemicals they possess. Additionally, when grey water is used for irrigation, they can
damage the soil structure due to the alkaline condition of the cleaning agents such as sodium
salts. It is important to use grey water as fast as possible to avoid contamination (Griffin, 2016).
Conclusively, the grey water framework ought to be associated in the most suitable
manner to guarantee long term use. It is ideal to have the framework both flush toilets and fill the
yards. The water can be transported by means of gravity or pipes, however, in a perfect world,
there ought to be an approach to redirect water into the typical sewage way on the off chance that

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it is not required (Bond, 2011). Additionally, there ought to be a crisis cut off if there should
arise an occurrence of the disappointment of the framework to anticipate the reverse of the grey
water into crisp water frameworks (Safiuddin, et al., 2010). The grey water can likewise discover
use in some other non-contact route, for example, with washing garden devices and the carport.
At the point when utilized for cultivating, the plants ought not to be acidophilic (plants that do
well in acidic soils) as grey water is typically soluble in nature because of the utilization of
cleansers.
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