Recycle
Many building components can be recycled where markets exist. As of June 2004, more than 1,000 asphalt and concrete recycling facilities, 700 wood waste recycling facilities, and 300 "mixed-waste" facilities recycle demolition rubble in the United States. Asphalt, concrete, and rubble are often recycled into aggregate or new asphalt and concrete products. Wood can be recycled into engineered-wood products like furniture and plastic-composite decks, as well as mulch, compost, and other products. Metalsincluding steel, copper, and brassare also valuable commodities to recycle. Additionally, although cardboard packaging from home-building sites is not classified as a C&D material, many markets exist for recycling this material.
Building Savings:
Strategies for Waste Reduction of Construction and Demolition Debris from
Buildings (PDF) (20 pp, 875K, About PDF)
This EPA document profiles communities that are "record-setters"
in C&D materials reduction and recovery. The publication was produced
by the Institute for Local Self-reliance (ILSR), a nonprofit organization,
with funding from EPA.
Associated General Contractors of America (AGC) is the largest construction trade association in the United States. This Web site provides resources about C&D materials recycling in the environmental section that is accessible by clicking on "Research a Topic" on the top of AGC home page and then choosing "Environmental".
Construction and Demolition Recycling Magazine provides information about the latest C&D management products and services from leading industry suppliers.
Construction Material Recycling Association (CMRA) is an association devoted exclusively to the needs of the rapidly expanding North American C&D debris processing and recycling industry.
National Demolition Association (NDA) formerly the National Association of Demolition Contractors) represents contractors that manage demolition debris, including disposal and recycling. This Web site includes several position papers on waste management and recovery issues.
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineer's publication, Unified Facilities Criteria, #UFC-1-1900-01 (December 2002), Selection of Methods for the Reduction, Reuse, and Recycling of Demolition Waste (102 pp, 1MB, About PDF) provides guidance for recovery and recycling of building demolition waste. This document can also assist users in determining the most feasible methods for reducing C&D materials being disposed of in landfills.
WasteCap Wisconsin's website describes a variety of C&D recycling projects and provides useful resources and information.