Starting a Reuse or Recycling Facility

I would like to open my own C&D materials reuse or recycling facility. How do I start?


First, you may want to investigate your state's regulatory requirements for opening a new recycling or reuse facility. Some states regulate these facilities as solid waste management facilities and have specific air, water runoff, or siting requirements.

One of the biggest components of having a reuse or recycling facility is to determine a market for the materials that you will accept. This requires investigating potential markets in your area, determining how to process the material for that market, and determining if the state environmental agency permits that use of the material.

The resources below provide some basic information about how C&D materials can be reused or recycled.

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

  • DrywallRecycling.org
    Developed by the Construction Materials Recycling Association and the University of Florida under a grant from U.S. EPA Region 5, the Website provides information on drywall recycling, including state experiences, markets, and links to published studies.

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.