Construction and Demolition Debris

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Issue Summary

Construction and demolition (C&D) debris refers to materials produced in the process of construction, renovation and/or demolition of structures, where structures include buildings (residential, commercial, and institutional), roads, and bridges. Depending on your state's definition, C&D debris typically includes concrete, asphalt, wood, gypsum wallboard, paper, glass, rubble, and roofing materials. Land clearing debris, such as stumps, rocks, and dirt are also included in some state definitions. In most cases C&D debris is nonhazardous and is regulated by states and local governments rather than by EPA. An exception would be where C&D debris contains hazardous waste, such as removed asbestos insulation. For information on hazardous waste regulations, see: LGEAN Hazardous Waste section.

C&D debris is a significant issue in the U.S. because of the enormous volume of C&D debris generated. A large fraction of C&D debris ends up in municipal solid waste landfills or in special C&D landfills, which may have the potential to contaminate groundwater. Also, each year, there is less land available for waste disposal. As a result, many state and local governments are seeking ways to divert C&D debris from land disposal, including the promotion of recycling. Also, Green Building programs exist where the focus is on minimizing the generation of wastes.

State and local regulations may limit where C&D debris can dispose of. For example some local governments do not permit C&D debris to be disposed of in their municipal landfill. Also, some local governments, particularly in California, require construction companies to recycle a minimum percentage of the C&D debris generated.

Resources

U.S. EPA

EPA's Construction and Demolition Debris Website. Includes sections on managing and reducing C&D debris. Also, a topic-based list of C&D resources can be found at this site.

States

C&D Debris State Locator. Use this tool to locate regulatory information and other compliance assistance and P2 resources for your state. It is also recommended that you contact your city or county government to determine if local rules also apply to your project.

Organizations/Non-Government Programs

Associated General Contractors of America Environmental Services Web Site. The GREEN CONSTRUCTION page provides information on environmental management systems (EMSs), green construction and recycling, the LEED® Green Building Rating System, and AGC's role in EPA's National Environmental Performance Track Program.

Peaks to Prairies Residential Construction Technical Assistance. Resource efficient building practices will allow residential construction professionals to meet consumer demand, increase profits, provide savings for the consumer and enhance marketing opportunities while using resources in a sustainable manner.

Publications

MCET: Environmentally Sound Practices in the Homebuilding Industry. You can order this video training package has been prepared for use by developers, homebuilders, architects and planners, and local government plan approval authorities to train their staffs in the basic principles of pollution prevention and environmental compliance for homebuilding projects. Topic areas include the environmental impacts of homebuilding, best management practices for habitat preservation and stormwater management, as well as best management practices for erosion and sediment control.

Construction Waste Management Database. One way that the federal government is promoting responsible waste management is through the U.S. General Services Administration's (GSA) online Construction Waste Management Database. The interactive database, installed online by Steven Winter Associates, Inc. (SWA), is a free service for those seeking information on companies that haul, collect, and process debris from construction projects.

Managing Your Environmental Responsibilities (MYER) - A Planning Guide for Construction and Development This document explains in detail the environmental obligations that construction companies can face across the various federal laws (stormwater, air, wetlands, waste...). Use it to factor in costs during the bidding process, assign responsibilities and use the checklists to self-audit.

RCRA INFOCUS Construction, Demolition, and Renovation. Most C&D debris is nonhazardous and is not regulated by EPA. Under RCRA, however, if you generate hazardous waste you are required to follow certain procedures when generating, storing, transporting, or disposing of it. In addition, many states have specific definitions of C&D debris that effectively determine what materials are allowed to be disposed of in nonhazardous waste landfills, C&D landfills, or incinerators. Even if federal or state regulations do not apply to your business, you should make efforts to keep the hazardous components of the wastes you generate out of landfills to conserve natural resources and protect human health and the environment. Follow the suggestions outlined in this issue for ways to reduce, reuse, and recycle your waste.

Building Savings: Strategies for Waste Reduction of Construction and Demolition Debris from Buildings. The Waste Reduction Record-Setters Project fosters the development of exceptional waste reduction programs by documenting successful ones. These programs can be used as models by others implementing their own programs to reduce disposal. This fact sheet packet is aimed at local governments that want to encourage more building-related construction and demolition debris recovery, building owners and developers interested in green building design, and building contractors seeking a competitive edge.

Characterization of Building-Related Construction and Demolition Debris in the United States. The purpose of this report is to characterize the quantity and composition of building-related construction and demolition (C&D) debris generated in the United States, and to summarize the waste management practices for this waste stream. C&D debris is produced when new structures are built and when existing structures are renovated or demolished. Structures include all residential and nonresidential buildings as well as public works projects, such as streets and highways, bridges, piers, and dams. Many state definitions of C&D debris also include trees, stumps, earth, and rock from the clearing of construction sites. (94 pages)

Databases and Tools

Resource Efficient Residential Construction: Industry Web Directory. The Peaks to Prairies Residential Environment Web Site provides the following services: Technical Assistance and Referrals, Industry Contacts, Database of Resources and Publications, News, Events Calendar and Frequently Asked Questions.

Financial Assistance

EPA Financing for Environmental Compliance. A step-by-step financial planning process that can help your community determine capital asset technical and financial needs and find available air, waste and water resources to meet your compliance goals.