Construction and demolition (C&D) debris accounts for a large portion of the solid waste that is generated. C&D materials include lumber, cardboard, metals, masonry (brick, concrete, etc.), carpet, plastic, pipe (plastic, metal, and clay), drywall, rocks, dirt, and plant materials. There are many opportunities for reuse and recycling on every job site and there are well established markets for metals, wood, plant materials, and even fill dirt. Consequently, recycling C&D materials benefits contractors and developers by reducing the amount of waste sent to landfills, thus, potentially saving money on disposal costs. Local governments also benefit because diverting C&D material has a significant impact on maintaining or exceeding the AB 939 mandated 50% diversion goal.
In many cases, recycling C&D materials is often more economical than disposal. To learn more about your C&D recycling options, visit RecycleWorks.org
Lastly, it’s important to close the recycling loop by using recycled materials in your construction project. For more on this topic, see the Recycled-Content Product Directory of construction products at CalRecycle's web site.
