VOLUNTEERS
HOW YOU CAN HELP
Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity volunteers have an important role to play not only in the creation of affordable homes, but also in the management of construction site waste and environmental impact. Listed below are ideas volunteers can utilize to help us reduce our environmental impact at our build sites, as well as further information about waste reducing efforts and strategies.
New This Year
Through a partnership with Waste Management, Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity is striving to have a zero waste job site at the Green Demonstration House in Crystal. This effort will be an expanded waste reduction effort that will include further separating construction waste for recycling, composting organic waste on-site, and reusing building materials where appropriate.
Composting
Composting is the natural process of yard waste, fruit and vegetable scraps, and other paper-based biodegradable organic materials breaking down over time. Composting is a relatively easy way to remove materials from the waste stream and eliminate the amount of materials that end up in landfills. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) estimates that yard trimmings and organic food scraps compose twenty-three percent of the total waste stream. Composting is an effective way to reduce waste as well as create a product that enriches soil and has the potential to remediate polluted soils. Click here for more information about composting.
Recycling
Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity has a long history of recycling common construction waste such as wood, aluminum, and cardboard. By taking this long history a step further, Twin Cities Habitat is striving to increase the amount of recycling and reuse of materials on the Green Demonstration House building site. Wood waste will be converted into mulch product for landscaping, leftover rigid foam insulation will be broken up and used for additional roof insulation, and common site waste will continue to be recycled. Waste Management is assisting Twin Cities Habitat in the management of construction waste for the Green Demonstration House.
Alternative Forms of Transportation
Using alternative forms of transportation to get to and from the job site can help reduce our environmental impact and save volunteers money. More than half of MinnesotaÍs air pollution is generated by mobile sources, such as cars and trucks. According to the EPA, the personal automobile is the single greatest polluter in numerous cities across the U.S. as emissions from all the vehicles add up to more pollution than nearby smokestacks. Auto emission pollutants include Carbon Dioxide (CO2), Carbon Monoxide (CO), Hydrocarbons, and Nitrogen Oxides (NOx). Twin Cities Habitat volunteers are encouraged to use mass transit, walk, bike, or carpool to job sites when possible.
What can volunteers do?
Bring reusable water bottles and lunch containers to the job site. Use large water jug dispensers instead of single-serve disposable water bottles to help limit site waste.
Recycle lunch waste. Volunteers can use existing (or create their own) recycling receptacles for aluminum cans, plastic bottles, paper, and other commonly recycled products. If the site does not have the option for on-site recycling, please bring recyclables to your office or home recycling bins.
Compost! Place compostable items in designated receptacles if they are available on-site, or collect compostable waste and bring it to your home compost bin.
Reuse building materials and scraps where appropriate. Work with your Site Supervisor to identify opportunities to collect and reuse materials on the job site instead of throwing the materials away.
Recycle construction waste when possible. Common building materials that can be recycled include wood scrap, cardboard, nails, and aluminum.
Use alternative forms of transportation to and from the job site including mass transit, walking, biking, or carpooling. Click here to plan your route through Metro Transit.
Ask questions. Site Supervisors and other Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity construction site staff are happy to help volunteers manage site waste. If you have questions: ask!