No Local Recycling Facilities

No C&D materials reuse or recycling facilities exist in my area. What do I do?


Reuse Materials Onsite in New Construction. When deconstructing or demolishing a structure, work with the site developer or architect to see if any of the salvaged materials could be used in the new structure.

Recycle Materials Onsite. C&D materials can be recycled onsite. Concrete is regularly crushed and used as fill. Other materials, such as drywall, wood, and cardboard, can be ground and used beneficially in the landscaping. There are three things to remember about recycling onsite:

  1. Contact your state environmental regulator to determine if this is an approved use of C&D materials.
  2. Contact your local agricultural extension agent to determine the appropriate loading rate of the material.
  3. Remove all materials that should not be ground and put onsite and manage them appropriately. This may include materials such as metals or materials that pose a threat to the environment if improperly disposed.

If the material cannot be used onsite but there is a demand for the material offsite, consider processing the material onsite yourself and selling it to those markets. There are many recycling equipment manufacturers that sell or rent equipment. Some may even perform the processing services on your facility.

Start Your Own Reuse or Recycling Facility. You may also consider owning and operating your own C&D materials reuse or recycling facility.

RESOURCES

General Information on C&D Materials Reuse and Recycling

Regulatory Resources

  • Construction Industry Compliance Assistance (CICA) Center
    Contains a C&D materials State Resource Locator, where contractors can find state and municipal recycling programs. Many state and local environmental agencies have regulations specific to C&D disposal and recycling.
  • RCRA in Focus: Construction, Demolition, and Renovation PDF
    Discusses all potentially hazardous wastes that can be found in the C&D materials stream. Contains frequently asked questions about the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) regulatory impacts on C&D materials management, addresses special issues in C&D materials, hazardous waste requirements checklist, and how to reduce the amount of waste you generate. Also provides a summary of other environmental laws affecting the construction industry.
  • 2006 Beneficial Use Survey Report
    This report is a compilation of information from a 2006 survey of State and Territorial beneficial use programs/decision-making processes for non-hazardous, industrial solid wastes. Forty States responded. While these uses have already been approved by the states, permission for other uses would have to be clarified by the state. Ultimately, contact the state environmental agency with any questions or clarifications on use of C&D materials.

Asphalt Pavement

  • Basic Asphalt Recycling Manual
    The Federal Highway Administration and the Asphalt Recycling and Reclaiming Association created this manual in 2001 to describe the basics of asphalt pavement recycling.

Asphalt Shingles

  • ShingleRecycling.org
    Developed by the Construction Materials Recycling Association and the University of Florida in partnership with U.S. EPA Region 5 and the University of Florida, this website provides information on asphalt shingle recycling, including state experience, markets, environmental regulations, worker health and safety, and links to additional resources.

Concrete

  • ConcreteRecycling.org
    Created by the Construction Materials Recycling Association (CMRA) this site provides all of the available information about concrete recycling. Information contained here will assist recyclers in increasing their markets and will answer questions regulators and purchasing agents for end markets, such as state DOT officials, might have about the recycled concrete aggregate product.

Drywall

Wood

  • Successful Approaches to Recycling Urban Wood Waste PDF
    Produced by the USDA, this report presents eight case studies of successful urban wood waste recycling projects and businesses. These studies document the success of recovered products such as lumber and lumber products, mulch, boiler fuel, and alternative cover for landfills. The case studies were selected on the basis of the following criteria: an emphasis on partnerships among communities, businesses, governments, and non-governmental organizations; efficient use of funds; sustained creation of enterprise; and a high benefit/cost ratio.
  • Best Practices in Waste Wood Recycling
    Produced in 1997 by the Clean Washington Center, this guide discusses ways of managing wood from construction sites.

Other Information