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Disaster Debris
Highlights
EPA Helps Communities Plan Ahead for Natural Disasters (PDF) (1 pg, 74K , about PDF)
EPA's Planning for Natural Disaster Debris (PDF) (94 pp, 1.9MB , about PDF) includes information on:
- Recommended components of a disaster debris management plan.
- Management options for various debris streams that might be found after a natural disaster.
- A collection of case studies that highlights how several communities prepared for and managed debris generated by recent natural disasters.
- Federal, state, and local resources to consult in planning for natural disasters.
When disasters like floods or tornados hit a community, solid waste management is usually the last thing on anyone's mind. Natural disasters, however, can generate tons of debris, including building rubble, soil and sediments, green waste (e.g., trees and shrubs), personal property, ash, and charred wood. All of this waste material can place an additional burden on a community already struggling to cope.
The amount of debris generated from a disaster varies from situation to situation. The best advice for a community is to put a disaster debris management plan in place before an emergency happens. A disaster debris management plan can help a community identify options for collecting, recycling, and disposing of debris. Not only does a plan identify management options and sources for help, but it also can save valuable time and resources if it is needed.
The benefits of putting a recovery plan in place before a disaster occurs include:
- Reducing time needed to identify debris management options after a disaster.
- Saving money by avoiding rushed decisions that could result in costly mistakes in disaster waste management.
- Reducing potential hazards by identifying which hazards may exist, who will address them, and how.
Recycling Disaster Debris
How a community manages disaster debris depends on the debris generated and the waste management options available. Many communities are finding effective ways to salvage, reuse, and recycle all kinds of disaster debris. Soil, green waste, and C&D materials can be recycled or composted into useful commodities. For example:
- Green waste, such as trees and shrubs, can be "recycled" into valuable organic material, such as compost or mulch.
- Concrete and asphalt can be crushed and sold for use as sub-base in road building.
- Metal can be recycled and sold by scrap metal dealers.
- Brick can be sold for reuse or ground for use in landscaping applications.
- Dirt can be used as landfill cover or a soil amendment for farmers.
Benefits of recycling disaster debris include:
- Recovering large amounts of materials for reuse.
- Reducing the burden of large volumes of material on local landfills.
- Saving money by avoiding disposal costs and through re-sale of materials.
Other Sites of Interest
EPA's Hurricane Katrina Disaster Debris Web site.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) includes information on disaster preparation and prevention. Through the Web site, users can access the Federal Emergency Management Agency Debris Management Web site, which includes a Debris Management Guide and a Debris Management Training Course.
Generating Biomass Fuel From Disaster Debris," by Rhodes Yepsen, Biocycle, July 2008 
This article describes the opportunities for utilizing biomass generated after disasters. Debris from natural disasters is plentiful and currently underutilized, but organizations and business are working on the logistics for increasing beneficial use.
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) offers several resources on disaster debris and related issues:
- Learning From the Northridge Earthquake
- Preparing for the "Big One": Saving Lives Through Earthquake Mitigation in Los Angeles, California:
- Section One, Overview of Existing Mitigation Programs
- Section Six, The Remaining Challenge
The Alameda County, California, Disaster Waste Management Plan presents a coordinated disaster debris management approach to help areas afflicted with a disaster situation achieve maximum diversion from landfilling.
The California Integrated Waste Management Board (CIWMB) Disaster Information and Preparedness Plan provides guidance to assist in the expeditious recovery of areas affected by natural disasters or emergencies while providing for the protection of public health and safety. CIWMB will form partnerships with local jurisdictions in the development of debris management plans to recycle, reuse, or otherwise divert disaster debris from disposal.
The Volusia County, Florida, 2001 Disaster Preparedness Guide provides information on preparing for, and recovering from, disaster situations.
The Louisiana Office of Emergency Preparedness Sample Debris Management Plan outlines a strategy to facilitate and coordinate the removal, collection, and disposal of debris following a disaster.
Planning for Disaster Debris | PDF Version (28 pp, 1.6MB , about PDF) (1995 edition) provides additional case studies not found in the updated version.
