C&D Materials of Concern

What sort of C&D materials pose a potential threat to human health and the environment and should be removed and managed separately from other recyclables?


There are several materials that can be found at construction, renovation, or demolition sites that should (in some cases must) be removed from typical C&D materials streams. These materials can include (but are not limited to):

  • Asbestos
  • Cans of fresh paint, sealants, and glues
  • Chemically-treated wood
  • Lead-based paint and other lead products
  • Mercury switches and thermostats
  • PCB-containing ballasts

The resources below are provided for general guidance on managing these materials. Since each state has its own regulations regarding the management of these materials, contact the appropriate state environmental agency for information specific to your state.

RESOURCES

Multiple Materials of Concern

Asbestos

Chemically-Treated Wood

  • EPA's Website on CCA-treated Wood
    This website provides general information about CCA-treated wood and its alternatives.
  • CCA Disposal Guide PDF
    This guide, produced by the Hinkley Center for Solid and Hazardous Waste Management in Florida, discusses the best management practices for CCA-treated wood. Note: Landfill classifications (such as Class I, Class III, and C&D) are those used by Florida and may not be applicable in another state.

Lead-Based Paint and Other Lead Products

  • EPA's Website on Lead
    This website provides information for contractors about lead-based paint and other sources of lead in construction.
  • Lead In Construction
    The National Demolition Association produced several guidance documents for supervisors and workers on handling lead found on job sites.

Mercury

  • Mercury in Buildings
    This HTML program, developed by Purdue University for the EPA and updated in 2005, was made especially for construction and demolition contractors and owners and managers of buildings to make them aware of the problem of mercury in buildings and to provide information on how to solve this problem.

PCBs (Polychlorinated Biphenyls)

  • EPAs PCB website
    Contains basic information about what PCBs are, where they can be found, and applicable regulations.

Tritium Exit Signs

  • EPA's Tritium Exit Signs Website
    This website provides information for contractors about how to discard tritium exit signs.
  • Trainex
    This training exchange website contains a training program on how to manage tritium exit signs as well as how to avoid tritium-containing exit signs when purchasing equipment for your building. (Search for "tritium exit signs" on the main page.)