United States
Environmental
Protection Agency
EPA 231-F-97-006
August 1997
Policy, Planning and Evaluation (2127)
Construction
Waste
Management
A Guide for
I Municipalities
-------
Construction
Waste Management
At least 20% of the waste stream riding the busy
roads to landfills comes from construction and
demolition (C&D) job sites. But did you know
that some 3 tons of material—about 60% to 80%
of the material that piles up on each new home
site—is recyclable? If your community is looking
to boost recycling rates or meet state-set goals,
C&D materials may offer yet another
recycling opportunity.
The National Association of Home
Builders Research Center (NAHB)
has recently published a Builder's
Field Guide to support recycling
programs. To be successful with
these programs, builders need access to
easy, affordable alternatives to landfill use.
And that's where state and local agencies can
step in as critical partners.
To help you get started, this brochure presents
what you need to know about construction waste
recycling. It also offers several important tips for
encouraging the development of new businesses
to provide recycling and clean-up services.
Getting Down to Basics
What and How Much is
Recyclable?
Each new home built in the U.S. generates
3 to 5 pounds per square foot of scrap.
Remodeling jobs generate even more waste,
anywhere from 6 pounds to redo a kitchen
to 26 pounds for a remodeled bathroom.
Look closely and you'll find that much
of this "waste" wood, drywall, cardboard,
metal and vinyl is recyclable.
Where Does It Go?
Builders typically choose one of two ways
to get rid of job site waste: municipal solid
waste (MSW) landfills or private C&D
landfills. Rising MSW landfill fees and bans
on items such as cardboard in some states
have increased the use of less expensive
C&D sites.
How Much Does It Cost?
Waste haulers generally charge builders a
single fee for pick-up and disposal. Three
factors drive this price: 1) the cost of the
large bins that hold waste on construction
sites; 2) distance from construction site to
landfill; and 3) landfill tipping fees.
-------
C/3
Builders' interest in recycling is likely to
rise or fall on two issues: cost and the
availability of landfill alternatives. As for
cost, experience suggests that builders
are more likely to support recycling if:
landfill tipping fees are
higher than $30 per ton, and
Construction sites can provide a
significant opportunity for state and
local waste management agencies to
expand recycling efforts. The following
tips offer a loose but thorough guide
to providing the right support for
construction waste recycling programs:
CD 00
£ CO
CD
local landfill capacity is
limited or uncertain.
In addition, effective recycling requires
a ready supply of alternative disposal
services to meet builders' needs. But
few markets exist for recycled wood
and drywall, the two most common
construction waste materials. Metal
scrap, on the other hand, is generated
in such small quantities that recycling is
economical only if the metal is collected
as part of a broader recycling effort.
In contrast, cardboard is found in large
quantities on most construction sites
and has a well-developed collection and
market infrastructure.
-------
• Study the NAHB's Builder's Field Guide.
It's a good primer on the techniques,
issues, and economics of construction
waste disposal.
• Determine how local tipping fees
and landfill capacity will affect C&D
recycling efforts.
• Identify recycling/reuse outlets
in your area.
• Ask local C&D haulers whether
they collect, sort, and recycle
construction materials. This early
assessment can help you gauge the
potential market for construction
waste recycling and identify services
that must be developed for recycling
and reuse of C&D wastes.
Find out how much and what types of
waste are generated by area builders.
Consult local building departments or
state/local home building associations
and use the NAHB's Builder's Field Guide
to help you estimate. This assessment
can help determine which recycling
opportunities to pursue and prioritize
your efforts.
Create a construction waste recycling
committee. Bring all parties to the table,
including your local home builders
association, to develop a recycling plan
for your area.
Offer recycling workshops/forums.
Build a partnership with area builders
by providing training and
troubleshooting and by serving
as an information resource.
-------
Determine whether your community
has an existing collection system for
construction waste materials. If no
system exists, you'll need to create one
that can move C&D recyclables from job
sites to recycling facilities, and if need
be, separate the various materials.
Consider offering tax and zoning
incentives for firms that support C&D
waste recycling, such as construction
site "clean-up" services.
With the right encouragement from
the local government, existing waste
haulers may choose to expand their
services and route recyclables to sorting
and collection facilities.
Identify market development grant/loan
opportunities. Help new recycling
service businesses get started by
identifying sources for small business
grants and low-interest loans.
Explore new uses for recycled wood and
drywall. Investigate agricultural
applications for recycled material.
Chipped, untreated, unpainted wood
scraps may be used for mulch and
compost, and, in some cases, pulverized
drywall can serve as a soil amendment or
compost ingredient.
-------
For More Holp
In addition to your local home builders
association, contact:
NAHB Research Center, Inc.
Call the Homebase Hotline for information on
construction materials management and a copy
of the Builder's Field Guide.
800-898-2842
American Forest and Paper Association
The AF & PA sells the National Wood Recycling
directory for $5 per copy.
202-463-2467
American Plastics Council
The APC offers a number of free publications,
including the Recycled Plastic Products Source
Book, Stretch Wrap Recycling: A How To Guide,
and the Vinyl Siding Recycling Handbook.
800-243-5790
Gypsum Association
The GA can provide information on gypsum
processing equipment, current research on
uses of waste drywall, and member plants that
accept drywall.
202-289-5440
Steel Recycling Institute
The SRI has regional offices with local and/or
regional contacts for recycling ferrous materials.
800-876-7274
EPA and the Smart Growth Network
For additional information on smart building
practices, contact
Robin Snyder at 202-260-8331
or see the SGN website at:
http://smartgrowth.org
------- |