Setting up a leMte Recycling Program A well thought out strategy is as helpful for managing jobsite waste as it is to any other aspect of planning and building A waste management plan includes setting prevention goals, documenting waste generation and recycling rates, adapting designs to reduce materials, reducing packaging and other jobsite trash, and emphasizing reuse. U nderstanding the conditions affecting waste management costs and recy cling options in your area is the key to developing a successful waste management plan. There are many variables affecting cost and efficiency, including availability oflocalrecyclers, disposal fees and fee structure, distances to landfills and recycling facilities, and whether pickup services are available. Recycling Options Commingled recovery allows for all recy clable waste to be collected in a roll-off container. Some recyclers accept self-hauled commingled loads. Materials can also be picked up at regular intervals or an as-needed basis. Self haul involves a greater time investment by the general contractor or project superintendent. On small jobs this may be a cost-effective way to facilitate recycling. In this method disposal fee savings should be calculated as a combination of transportation, avoided landfill tipping fees and labor costs. Effective use of this option will require keeping up to date on policies and fee structures of the various material outlets and recyclers. Depending on the composition of the waste generated, a combined approach can work most effectively. If a large quantity of concrete is being generated, it may make sense to separate and self-haul this material. Packagingwaste is increasing A construction sites. Oneway to prevent a large quantity of cardboard waste is to request that suppliers ship items with less packaging or use reusable packaging. Revenues can also be generated by recycling. The buy-back price of old corrugated cardboard (OCC) fluctuates between $12 -$70 per ton, and it may makes sense to monitor prices if you are generating large quantities on the job (Call your community recycling center for information on current prices). Refer to localgovernmentpHblkation sand online sources for further information. Bright Ideas Recycling containers must be at least as convenient to use as trash bins. If your jobsite is large, make certain that bins are centrally located and easily accessible. Effort should be m ade to see that containers do not becom e overfull. To prevent unw anted drive-by dumping, locate recycling containers aw ay from public sight and access. Additional Information The C&D Waste Reduction and Recycling series consists of 9 fact sheets, each focusing on a different aspect ofwaste management. Factsheets in this series include: What's in a Building: Composition Analysis of C&D Debris Onsite Source Reduction: Cutting the Scrap Settingup ajobsite Recy cling Program Deconstruction: Sew Opportunities for Salvage CalculatingEffectiveness: The Waste Management Plan Reducing Waste for Building Owners Waste Recy cling Through Commingled Recovery; the Summerland Heights Residential Development Deconstruction on Commercial Renovation Projects: the Victoria Street Presbyterian Sanctuary Source Reduction in Residential Remodeling: the Las Alturas Adobe Other resources: Environm en tal Resource Guide, American Institute of Architects (800) 365-2724 Environ mental Building New sand Green Spec Pro duct Directory (802) 257-7300 En v iro nmen tal Design &Co n structio n Maga^in e (847)291-5224 Deconstruction (video), Materials for the Future Foundation (415) 561-6530 Builder'sField Guide, N ational Association of Home Builders (202) 822-0200 Waste Spec: Mo del Green Building Specification s, T riangle J C ouncil of Governments (919) 549-0551 Sustain able Building Techn icalMan ual, U. S. Green Building C ouncil (202) 828-7422 Visit these web sites for downloadable publications, listserve information, and links to other green building sites: www.ciwmb.ca.govwww.tjcog.dst.nc.us/cdwaste.htmwww.EDCmag.com www.qpa.gov/greenbuildingwww.buildinggreen.comwww.materials4future.org www.aia.orgwww.oikos.orgwww.usgbc.org The C &D W aste Reduction and Recy cling Series is a joint project of the Santa Barb ara C ounty Solid W aste and U tilities Division, The Community Environmental Council, and The Sustainability Project. For more information please contact U.S. EPA, Region 9 Office of Solid Waste and Pollution Prevention at (415) 972-3282. Funded by a grant from the Unite States Environmental Protection Agency, Region 9. EPA |TfW H Suslarnabilrty H Projact United States Environmental Protection Agency ComMtinity EnvtRonMentalCouncil Printed on 50%postconsumer recycled paper, processed chlorine free ------- Conversion of Common C&D Waste Components Space limitations and the cost of additional bins for source separated materials are the key factors affecting recycling on the jobsite. Consider the following conversion table to help estimate the size and number of containers you will require. Material lbs/cubicyard yards/ton Mixed Construction Waste 350 5.7 Wood 300 6.7 Drywall 500 4.0 Rubble 1,400 1.4 Cardboard 100 20.0 Landscape Debris 240-400 5-8 (A 20-yard 'lowboy" toll-offwith mixed construction waste weighs f MO tons.) M Profile: MarBorg Industries, C&D Materials Recovery Facility MarBorg Industries, awaste hauling andrecy cling company,, currently processes separated and commingled C&D debris loads. After a recent expansion of their facilities, MarBorg's processing capacity is now at 300 tons per day. Materials accepted at MarBorg's C&D Material Recovery Facility include mixed dirt, concrete, concrete with rebar, rocks, bricks, tile and stucco, mixed wood waste, green waste, dry wall, and metal loads. Their services include debris hauling and roll-off container rentals in 11, 17, 25, and 40 cubic y ard sizes. Self-haul loads are also accepted. Call MarBorg's Quarantina Street offices in downtown Santa Barbara for a schedule of prices and services at (805) 963-1852. Tfie Recycling Team: Involve Craw and Subcontractors and Suppliers In Wasto Reduction and Recycling Subcontractors and workers are integral to the success of a recycling program. An effective program will include all project participants: subcontractors, workers and suppliers. Here are some things you can do the ensure recycling program success: x Includewaste handling requirements in all project documents. Encourage suggestions from crew on improving efficiency or including additional materials. x Consider designating a crew member who has an interest in recycling as the jobsite recycling coordinator. Check in with them regularly to assistwith troubleshooting and adopting new strategies. Form awaste management team for larger projects. x Allow time for a learning curve. As always, learningnew procedures takes time. Initial savings garnered through recycling efforts may not seem like they compensate for extra time spent, but over time recycling strategies have been proven to pay off x To reduce on-sitewaste, coordination among the workers and subcontractors is critical. Discussyour recycling program at safety meetings and other regular meetings. x Work with subcontractors to develop improved material handling methods. Efficient material use can be encouraged by ordering quantities and timing deliveries that coordinate accurately with project tasks. Purchasing in excess can increase damaged and stolen materials and encourage inefficient use. Just in time purchasing and improved storage and handling can prevent damage or theft. x Waste reduction can be accomplished through contract structure. By making it part of the bidding process, subcontractors can be required to dispose of their own waste or required to use on-site recycling bins. For sample contract language refer to WrasteSpec, published by the Triangle J Council of Governments (contact information on the back page). x A defined clean-up policy can designate storage areas and limit the length of time waste remains on site. When planned carefully, this can lessen the likelihood of drive-by contamination (the dumping ofwaste by unauthorized persons) and significantly improve the site appearance. x Ask suppliers to take back or buy back substandard or unused items. Request that suppliers deliver items on returnable pallets or reusable containers. Tips for recycling bin use x Allocate adequate space for separation of recy clables. If space is limited, identify two or three materials thatwill be targeted, and obtain small bins for just these. x Post signs that clearly designate recy cling containers with lists ofwhat is recyclable. x Check bins regularly for non-recyclable items. x Check trash binsto see if recy clables are being discarded. x Follow-up with crew and subcontractors on an ongoing basis. ------- |