Recycle C&D Debris

Recycle C&D Debris - Recycling

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Recycle Construction and Demolition (C&D) Debris

Construction Waste Handbook

Worksheet Economics

C&D Resources

Education Program

Recycling

Economic Feasibility Tool
Evaluating volumes and recycling potential for construction waste recycling is an imperfect science. However, there are ways to estimate how much waste you have, and how much disposal is costing you, so you can evaluate its potential for reduction, reuse or recycling. Evaluating your construction waste stream can be a challenge. This is due to the various ways it can be measured - weight or volume. Both are acceptable methods, however, the numbers could be deceiving.

Take for example, cardboard and drywall. A cubic yard of cardboard will only weigh about 30 pounds while a cubic yard of drywall will weigh about 400 pounds. Therefore, a "full" 30 yard container filled with cardboard will only weigh about 900 pounds. A 30-yard container full of shingles or drywall will weigh 12,000 pounds.

The following table, adapted from National Association of Homebuilders (NAHB) and frequently cited by the EPA which adapted it from a NAHB research project is really very useful. The calculator converts the volume of materials into pounds. Understanding the waste stream requires us to use consistent units. Since drywall is far denser than cardboard, a dumpster full of drywall will weigh far more than a dumpster of cardboard. The following table presents the conversion factors which are utilized in the process.

Material	Pounds per Cubic Yard	Cubic Yards per Pound
Solid Sawn Wood	267	0.004
Engineered Wood	280	0.004
Drywall	400	0.003
Cardboard	30	0.033
Shingles	400	0.033
Vinyl (PVC)	150	0.007
Masonry	1000	0.001
Paints, Caulks, etc.	167	0.006
Mixed Wastes	95	0.010

Landfill fees are often charged per cubic yard (1 yard = $7.00) or in some instances by pound ($.03/lbs), so you may have to convert the waste composition data into pounds for ease in calculating potential from avoided disposal costs. To convert cubic yards to pounds, use the conversion factors in the table below:

As an example if a 30 yard container is estimated to be one third full of solid sawn wood (2"x4"s and 2"x6"s); then 10 (cubic yards) is multiplied by 267 (pounds) from the table to result in (10 x 267) = 2,670 pounds of wood.

Further the same 30 yard container is estimated to be one third full of cardboard, then10 cubic yards of cardboard is equal to (10x 30) = 300 pounds cardboard.

And the result is that the container is estimated to be two thirds full 2/3 of two materials whose combined weight in pounds is 2, 970 pounds.

Material	Cubic Yards	x	= Pounds
Solid Sawn Wood	10	267	2,670
Engineered Wood		280
Drywall		400
Cardboard	10	30	300
Shingles		400
Vinyl (PVC)		150
Masonry		1000
Paints, caulks, etc.		167
Other		95
TOTAL	20		2,970

Potential Savings Calculation
The following example shows the estimated landfill savings derived from a project utilizing C&D recycling and/or reuse. In the example we use a $10.00 per cubic yard fee for disposal, which is a relatively common charge in the H-GAC area. This fee does not include the placement and pickup charges that are frequently additional charges and vary widely. You obviously will have to use the cost per cubic yard that is applicable to your location. You can make use of this calculator at the H-GAC website by entering your estimates of C&D waste volumes into the calculator.

Item	Total Cubic Yards	Waste Cubic Yards	Diverted Cubic Yards
No Recycling/Reuse
Total Yards of C&D Waste		100	0
Land fill cost per cu yd($10)
Total Cost			$1,000
With Recycling/Reuse
Total Yards	100
Wood	40	0	40
Drywall	10	0	10
Cardboard	2	0	2
Shingles	13	0	13
Masonry	15	0	15
Other - mixed waste	20	20
Land fill cost per cu yd ($10)		$200	$800 cost savings

This estimate is a direct financial calculation of savings due to reduced landfill costs associated with reduced disposal needs. It provides a good rough estimate of potential savings and is the first step to preparing a C&D waste management plan. This estimate does not include the savings in landfill space (community/tax savings), nor does it include the money that could be derived from reselling items such as cardboard or wood.

It also does not include costs associated with employee/subcontractor training, material hauling, or time spent finding markets for recyclable materials. All of these factors will be weighed as a C&D waste management plan is developed. The calculation of this estimate for a particular company will likely indicate that a plan should in fact be developed to reduce material waste and reuse or recycle what cannot be avoided.

Additional Resources
Calculating the Cost-Effectiveness of Jobsite Recycling - Are there dollars in your dumpster? (http://www.metrokc.gov/dnrp/swd/construction-recycling/calculate.asp)
This site provides a series of worksheets to help determine how much of what materials are produced at the job-site, and the cost of recycling versus disposal.

Gypsum and Wood Recycling
Recycling activities begin with building partnerships and with material choices. Other factors that influence the efficiency of recycling include:

sorting and storage space;
contamination;
transportation;
regulations (processing, air, water, disposal, storage), and
market availability.

Waste materials must be processed to market specifications. Specifications vary by market type but will typically include: separation from other wastes and removal of contaminants (nails, staples, plastic, shingles, etc.). Some markets will also require processing through grinding and chipping. Contact local markets or recycling centers beforehand to secure a contract for delivery of waste materials and to determine what processing is required for material acceptance.

New construction materials are more readily recycled than demolition or renovation wastes. Demolition and renovation wastes are more difficult to separate, resulting in higher contamination levels. The amount of contamination is a key factor in determining market acceptance. Once it is clear that materials can be separated to maintain quality for a particular market, the transportation costs and regulations concerning storage or processing of those materials must be weighed. The partnerships built with designers, recyclers and others will help to overcome obstacles and lay out the necessary procedures for a successful recycling operation.

Besides cardboard, wood and gypsum drywall are the two largest contributors to the new construction waste stream. Markets are available for recycling these materials and creative new uses are still being developed.

Markets for Used Gypsum Drywall include:

New drywall and cement production;
Water, sludge and manure treatment;
As a component in flea powder or athletic field marking products;
Absorption of moisture in animal bedding or anti-slip agent in shop applications;
Agricultural land applications;
Residential soil amendment, and
Compost bulking agent.

Markets for Wood Waste include:

Reclaimed/Re-milled lumber for use in other construction and furniture projects;
Feedstock for engineered lumber, pallet production and boiler fuel;
Landscape mulch, soil conditioners, animal bedding, playground cover, and
Compost and sewage sludge bulking mediums.

This guide offers links to a host of buyers and sellers of materials. Other local markets can be identified by contacting local government environmental (http://www.aehs.com/links.htm) or commerce officials, or local Home Building Association (http://www.nahb.org/local_association_search_form.aspx). These organizations can help find manufacturers, compost facilities, salvage lumber stores or unique opportunities offered only in your area. If considering on-site processing and recycling, be sure to check with governmental agencies concerning noise, air, water and solid waste issues if recycling on-site.

Resources
Gypsum Drywall Management
Drywall Recycling (http://www.ciwmb.ca.gov/publications/condemo/43195069.doc)
Drywall Recycling provides an overview of gypsum management on a construction site and existing and potential markets. This fact sheet also offers a glimpse at regulations governing the processing of gypsum as well as equipment considerations. California Integrated Waste Managment Board, 2001.

Guidelines for the Recycling of Construction Gypsum On-site (http://www.gypsum.org/topical.html#residential)
Guidelines as established by The Gypsum Association. This practice is the recommended practice for gypsum recycling due to the scale of most residential construction projects. The Gypsum Association.

Gypsum Wallboard and Recycling Reuse Options in the State of Vermont (http://www.anr.state.vt.us/dec/wastediv/recycling/gypsum.pdf)
An in-depth report on the characteristics of gypsum wallboard and market opportunities for recycling. Vermont Agency of Natural Resources by Emma Marvin, 2000.

Wood Management
National Wood Recycling Directory (http://www.afandpa.org/recycling/Rec_introduction.html)
Click 'Wood Recovery' in left column, then 'National Wood Recycling Directory'. This directory was designed to help individuals, groups, communities, builders, remodelers, and demolition contractors identify receiving sites for recovered wood. It contains a nationwide listing of over 700 wood residue receiving centers. Search the directory or add a listing from this site. American Forest and Paper Association.

Wood Waste Best Practices (http://www.cwc.org/wood_bp.htm)
Focus is on demolition and land clearing, but provides a number of useful strategies that could be applied to new construction as well. Contains an especially useful overview on size reduction equipment (grinding, shredding, and chipping) and screening equipment. Clean Washington Center.

Additional Gypsum and Wood Recycling Resources
The Gypsum Association (http://www.gypsum.org/pdf/gypsum3.pdf)
The Gypsum Association is a non-profit trade association for gypsum board manufacturers. The Association has developed guidelines for the recycling of construction gypsum on-site and recommends this practice due to the scale of most residential construction projects. Another recommended publication for understanding current gypsum markets is Gypsum's Environmental Story in North America.

Gypsum Wallboard and Recycling Reuse Options in the State of Vermont (http://www.anr.state.vt.us/dec/wastediv/recycling/gypsum.pdf)
An in-depth report on the characteristics of gypsum wallboard and market opportunities for recycling. Vermont Agency of Natural Resources by Emma Marvin

National Wood Recycling Directory (http://www.afandpa.org/recycling/Rec_introduction.html)
Click 'Wood Recovery' in left column, then 'National Wood Recycling Directory'. This directory was designed to help individuals, groups, communities, builders, remodelers, and demolition contractors identify receiving sites for recovered wood. It contains a nationwide listing of over 700 wood residue receiving centers. Search the directory or add a listing from this site. American Forest and Paper Association (AF & PA)

The National Wooden Pallet & Container Association (http://www.nwpca.com/)
The National Wooden Pallet & Container Association (NWPCA) is an international trade association representing the interests of manufacturers, recyclers and distributors of pallets, containers and reels. Find a supplier, ask a question, or read through the technical resources regarding pallets.

The Urban Wood Waste Fact Sheet (http://www.ciwmb.ca.gov/ConDemo/Wood/)
The Urban Wood Waste Fact Sheet offers background on wood waste characteristics and market opportunities. Market opportunities are directed at the California audience but applicable to many regions. Also provides links to additional publications. California Integrated Waste Management Board

Wood Waste Best Practices (http://www.cwc.org/wood_bp.htm)
Focus is on demolition and land clearing, but provides a number of useful strategies that could be applied to new construction as well. Contains an especially useful overview on size reduction equipment (grinding, shredding, and chipping) and screening equipment.

Asphalt Shingle Recycling
Approximately 10 million tons of waste asphalt shingles are generated each year through re-roofing activities in the U.S. Manufacturing produces another 1 million tons of asphalt shingle scrap per year. Asphalt shingles consist of a felt mat, either organic (cellulose paper) or fiberglass, asphalt, small rock, ceramic coating and a mineral stabilizer. In some older shingles, a small percentage of asbestos may exist creating a handling concern. Most waste shingles and scraps can be processed, generally by grinding, and recycled by a number of road, fuel and shingle markets.

Resources and Management
Shingle Recycling Org (http://www.shinglerecycling.org/)
Shingle Recycling Org is a comprehensive overview of asphalt shingles, recycling opportunities and regulatory issues. The website is intended to assist those interested in asphalt shingle recycling activities by providing pertinent information and contacts. It includes a discussion of recycling markets, links to current reports and articles, a list of state regulatory contacts, and a summary of specific state studies regarding highway and trail pavement applications. Department of Environmental Engineering Sciences, University of Florida.

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