Construction projects ideally have quite a considerable impact on the environment. Almost every aspect of construction, in fact, has a measurable impact on the environment, right from the mining process used for the raw materials to the waste produced by the project and the way it is disposed of. Reddy Kancharla points out that over the last decade or so, the awareness among people when it comes to the environmental impact construction projects has increased significantly. He has been associated with the construction industry for more than 25 years, and hence has witnessed the trends of green buildings and sustainable constructions crop up in front of his eyes. Mr.Kancharla points out that modern builders often try to take initiatives to decrease the environmental impact of construction projects carried out by them.

Communities worldwide are not becoming increasingly conscious about the aspect of environmental sustainability. Consumers are starting to make greener choices, and businesses and looking forward to reducing their carbon footprint. Reddy Kancharla mentions that the increasing regulations and public awareness have brought environmental sustainability right at the forefront of construction planning and execution. Moreover, it has been found out that by using the right techniques and technologies, construction companies can even boost their productivity, efficiency, and bottom line after going green.

Here are some of the ways that the environmental impact of construction projects can be reduced:

• Energy efficiency: Usage of outdated and old equipment and tools during the construction process can reduce the overall productivity, and would more energy consumption than required for the completion of the job. Keeping the construction machines, tools, and equipment repaired and updated would be one of the easiest and effective ways to keep the operations as energy efficient as possible.
• Green materials: There are a number of greener alternatives to the traditional raw materials that can be used in the construction process. These materials generally are reclaimed or recycled from other construction projects, and hence tend to be available at a more affordable pricing as well. They may even reduce or eliminate a good amount of the initial construction expenses. Usage of greener alternatives additionally makes it easier for builders to conform to stringent and numerous building codes and regulations.
• Reduced waste: To make sure that they are able to reduce as must waste as possible in the construction process, people must start to plan for it right at the project research stage. They must try to competently establish, track and document their waste reduction goals before the actual construction of the project starts off. Usage of reusable items like inflatable bladder dams instead of traditional cofferdams or sandbags can significantly help in reducing this waste. As pointed out by Reddy Kancharla all construction projects, especially large scale ones, generates a lot of waste. While it may not be possible to eliminate the environmental impact of such projects, people can significantly reduce it.

In addition to the elements mentioned above, builders must also focus on the aspects of integrated design, water management, and building location to enhance the environmental sustainability of a building.