Best Practices in Construction and Demo Waste Disposal

What Does Construction and Demo Waste Include?

Construction and Demo (C&D) Materials Waste Management

1. Segregate Waste Materials

2. Rebuy, Recycle, Reduce, Reuse C&D Materials

Rebuy - C&D source reduction activities include buying agreements that prevent superfluous materials and packaging from arriving at the construction site. Here are the following benefits when you buy used C&D materials for your new build projects.

• You help boost your local economy since the recovered C&D materials are usually sourced locally. 
• You can reduce the costs of the construction and remodeling projects while you maintain the structure’s functionality and performance. 
• It ensures that the collected materials will be reused to manufacture new products, thereby realizing the full benefits of the recycling program. 
• It helps preserve the historical significance and the local’s architectural character. 
  

Recycle - Where markets exist, many building components can be recycled. Materials supplied for recycling are sometimes poorly handled or neglected. Asking your recycler a few questions can be helpful. You can inquire if they are in accordance with state and local rules, whether they have a state license or registration, and/or a third-party certificate. These will help guarantee that your materials are managed properly and as intended. Furthermore, here are some of the ways to recycle C&D materials.

• Recycled asphalt, concrete, and debris are frequently used to make aggregate or fresh asphalt and concrete products.
• Wood may be recycled to make engineered wood goods such as furniture, as well as mulch, compost, and other items.
• Metals such as steel, copper, and brass are also important commodities that may be recycled. Furthermore, while cardboard packaging from construction sites is not categorized as a C&D material, it does enter the mixed C&D stream and has several markets for recycling.
  

Reduce - Source reduction decreases life-cycle material use, energy consumption, and trash output. The EPA ranks it first in terms of handling solid waste concerns. While it’s good to reuse and recycle, reducing the source prevents waste from being generated in the first place. Below are some measures to reduce C&D sources.

• Preserve existing buildings as opposed to new construction.
• Optimize the size and design new buildings to adapt and extend their useful lives. 
• Use construction methods that facilitate the reusing of materials.
• Use alternative techniques in framing.
• Reduce interior finishes.
  

Reuse - It is not a resource-efficient practice to demolish old structures and dispose of the rubble. Reusing old but still useful C&D materials is an efficient approach to saving money while safeguarding natural resources. The main advantage of recycling materials is that it saves resources and energy by lowering the manufacture of new materials. Here are examples of materials that can be reused.

• Appliances, doors, hardware, and fixtures. These can be donated or reused to rebuild other projects. 
• Cutoffs and scrap wood. Cutoffs can be used for blocking, cripples, and lintels so that there’s no need to cut full-length lumber. Also, scrap wood can be used as a groundcover or mulch. 
• Gypsum. Crushed or de-papered gypsum can be used as a soil amendment, in moderate quantities.
• Concrete, bricks, and masonry. These can be recycled as driveway bedding, fill, or subbase material on site. 
• Exterior walls’ excess insulation. These can be used as noise-deadening materials for interior walls. 
• Paint can be used after remixing. You can apply it in storage areas, garages, or as a primer in your other painting jobs. 
• Packaging materials. You can return them to suppliers to be reused.
  

3. Hire Rental Dumpster Services

• Check the customer reviews of the dumpster rental company before hiring. 
• Check the company’s policy on waste disposal and see if they follow the protocols and safety measures.
• Choose the right size of the dumpster that can carry the size and volume of your trash load, so you won’t end up overspending.
• Request for a free estimate from at least three companies so you can have a comparison.
  

Conclusion