Environmental Protection and Sustainability
Core concepts
Understand Abfallwirtschaftsgesetz (AWG) hierarchy: avoid, reuse, recycle, recover, dispose. Know Abfalltrennung rules for construction waste (wood, metal, plastics, hazardous waste such as old oils and refrigerants). Familiarise yourself with F-Gase-Verordnung obligations for refrigerants (leak checks, certified personnel, documentation). Understand Energieausweis requirements and the role of OIB-Richtlinie 6 in building energy performance. Know Erneuerbare-Energien-Gesetz incentives and PV basics.
Traps
Exams test whether a refrigerant may be vented - it may not. Another trap: confusing recycling with recovery, or assuming all construction waste can go to one container. Watch for the F-gas leak-check frequency (depends on CO₂-equivalent charge).
Worked example
A split unit contains 3 kg R32 (GWP 675). CO₂-equivalent = 3 × 675 = 2,025 t CO₂e - above the 5 t threshold, so periodic leak checks and documentation are required. Rule of thumb: always compute CO₂e, not just kg, to determine obligations.
Rule of thumb
Separate hazardous waste at source; never mix with general construction waste.