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Recycle Construction and Demolition (C&D) Debris
Construction Waste Handbook
Worksheet Economics
C&D Resources
Education Program
Seem overwhelming or overly simplistic? Planning is essential to reducing C&D waste. Like any issue facing a builder in the process there are a lot of options and a lot of people that have been there before. This is a bottom line issue. Dollars spent handling and disposing of waste are not adding any value to your homes. Hopefully this guide will provide the type of assistance to reduce the amount of waste produced at jobsites, to reduce the cost associated with waste, and to effectively extend the life of the landfills in the area.
Recycling is a valuable tool for builders to use in addressing waste management issues. It can help to extend community resources while reducing costs to builders and ultimately homeowners. Still, recycling is heavily dependent on individual builders because builders are most capable of identifying and understanding the opportunities available in their business. They are also adept at forming the partnerships between designers, recycling centers, government and suppliers that are required to make successful recycling endeavors.
Start by checking with the TCEQ and local regulatory agencies regarding any specific waste handling procedures or requirements regarding hazardous wastes. These requirements change periodically.
Conduct an audit of waste produced in one of your homes. Look to characterize the nature of the material the volume and how much of the material your home produces. Then use the "Calculator" in the following section to see what your likelihood of application and costs might be.
Set a waste reduction goal for your company. What do you want to accomplish?
Write a waste management plan. You can consult the King County Washington Construction Recycling Program at http://www.metrokc.gov/dnrp/swd/construction-recycling/specs-plans.asp. You will find that they have a great model plan and model specifications which you can consider and adapt and adopt.
Talk to your employees. Listen to your employees. They know what might be possible and train them once you have settled on a plan.
Talk to everyone in the supply chain. Distributors, manufacturers, sub-contractors, clean up crews, sales personnel, office personnel and other builders are critical to the process.
Consult with the NAHB and the GHBA. Many places in the country are already achieving 50% waste reductions with ease.
Planning is essential to making the program work. Not every material can be eliminated through this process or alteration in design, procurement or on-site activities but substantial and dramatic reductions are possible.
Planning Hints
Some helpful hints for you to consider in your plan are:
- Whenever possible reuse waste on-site e.g. wood scraps for bracing, drywall scraps for fillers.
- Contact salvage centers and used building supply outlets e.g. sell or donate materials rather than disposing of it in the landfills
- Support Habitat for Humanity's ReStore store e.g. donate larger pieces of usable material, overruns or jobsite change order materials
- Recycle waste on-site first e.g. grind whatever you can whenever you can e.g. wood, shingles, brick, and gypsum board.
- Use smaller more mobile bins for recyclable material
- Use signage that lets the public know that you are recycling on the jobsite and that bins are not public dumping grounds
- Invest the time to make sure that materials do not become contaminated.
- Buy and apply recycled products in your homes to support the markets you are creating.
- Work with local small scale recyclers to build social capital and trust.
Construction Waste Management Database (http://www.wbdg.org/tools/cwm.php)
This database contains information on companies that haul, collect and process recyclable debris from construction projects. Created in 2002 by GSA's Environmental Strategies and Safety Division to promote responsible waste disposal, the Database is a free online service for those seeking companies that recycle construction debris in their area. You can search by zip code, or materials recycled.
Residential Construction Waste From Disposal To Management (http://www.nahbrc.org/tertiaryR.asp?TrackID=&DocumentID=2301&CategoryID=34)
A fact sheet for builders discussing benefits and general methods for reducing, reusing and recycling C&D waste. This fact sheet is an introduction to the builder's field guide of the same name offered by the NAHB Research Center. Ordering information is provided at the end of the fact sheet. National Association of Home Builders Research Center by Peter Yost, 1997.
Waste Wise Update: Building for the Future (http://www.epa.gov/wastewise/pubs/wwupda16.pdf)
This issue of the newsletter is devoted to construction and demolition debris reduction and resource efficient building materials along with resources for technical assistance in assessing and managing construction waste. USEPA, 2002
Used Building Materials Association (http://bcn.boulder.co.us/environment/ubma/index.html)
This association represents companies and organizations involved in the acquisition and or/ redistribution of used building materials. The website offers publications and membership information, covers deconstruction events, and facilitates an exchange for used building materials. Exchange is available to members and the general public.
Used Building Materials Exchange (http://build.recycle.net/)
Select a material category to view listings. Locate used building materials and equipment or post materials for sale/trade.
Wood Products Exchange (http://www.woodexchange.com/)
Click on wood exchange at bottom of the page. This exchange specializes in wood by-products, waste residues, cut-offs, shorts, seconds, surplus, and salvaged materials.
Material Exchanges on the Web (http://www.wastexchange.org/Exchanges/default.cfm)
An extensive list of material exchanges for the nation. A "profile" is provided for each exchange including contact information for the operating organization, manager and a URL address.
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