Construction sites are major contributors to waste, but with mindful practices, they can also be hubs of recycling. Construction and demolition waste is the largest source of trash in the United States, making it crucial to implement effective recycling strategies.
By identifying key recyclable materials and adopting sustainable deconstruction methods, construction sites can significantly reduce their environmental impact, save money, and promote a greener future.
This blog post will guide you through the top 10 things to recycle at your construction site, offering practical tips and insights to transform waste into valuable resources.
1. Wood and Lumber
- Wood and lumber are readily recyclable, with numerous applications for reclaimed materials. Contractors build roughly 1 million new single-family homes each year in the United States, consuming vast quantities of wood for framing, sheathing, doors, floors, and windows.
- Recycling Benefits:
- Saves Trees: Recycling wood from a 2,000-square-foot home can save 33 trees.
- Reduces Landfill Space: Recycling reduces the volume of wood taking up landfill space by at least 8,420 cubic feet (238 cubic meters).
- How to Recycle:
- Re-milling: Old lumber and timber can be re-milled for new flooring, paneling, doors, and windows.
- Reusing: Wood can be reused to construct new barns and fences.
- Particleboard: Waste wood can be ground into particleboard.
2. Drywall
- Drywall, composed of gypsum sandwiched between two sheets of paper, is a common material in interior construction and home renovation. The United States produces about 15 million tons of new drywall annually, with drywall constituting about 25 percent of all construction waste.
- Recycling Benefits:
- Reduces Waste: Recycling drywall reduces the amount of gypsum and paper sent to landfills.
- Agricultural Use: Drywall contains boron, a plant nutrient, and the paper can be composted or recycled.
- How to Recycle:
- Wall Patches: Scraps of drywall can be used to plug openings in walls.
- Concrete Forms: Bits of drywall can be used to fashion forms to support wet concrete.
- Soil Additive: Drywall can be mixed with soil as a nutrient-rich food source for plants.
3. Steel
- Steel is a durable and highly recyclable material often used in the superstructures of skyscrapers, high-rise apartment buildings, and bridges. Americans recycle more than 65 million tons of scrap steel each year.
- Recycling Benefits:
- Maintains Strength: Recycled steel retains its strength and durability.
- Reduces Resource Use: All steel framing contains at least 28 percent recycled steel.
- How to Recycle:
- Structural Steel: Steel girders, trusses, and pilings can all be recycled from construction sites.
- Automobile Recycling: The amount of steel used to build a typical 2,000-square-foot house is equal to about six junked automobiles.
- World Trade Center Steel: Much of the steel debris from the World Trade Center was recycled, with some used to construct the USS New York.
4. Roofing Shingles
- Roofing shingles, made from a felt mat infused with asphalt and rock, are durable but generate significant waste. Nearly 11 million tons of roofing shingle waste is generated each year in the United States, with 10 million tons coming from old homes.
- Recycling Benefits:
- Reduces Landfill Waste: Recycling shingles prevents them from taking up space in landfills.
- Resource Conservation: Reusing asphalt reduces the need for crude oil.
- How to Recycle:
- Pavement Projects: Shingles can be ground down and used in pavement projects and as patches for potholes.
- New Shingles: Shingles can be recycled into new shingles.
- Fuel: Shingles can sometimes be processed into fuel.
5. Glass and Windows
- While glass is readily recyclable in theory, practical challenges often hinder its recycling at construction sites.
- Recycling Challenges:
- Cost: Glass is cheap to make, reducing the economic incentive to recycle.
- Specifications: Glass makers have precise requirements, and recycled glass may not always meet these specifications.
- Contamination: Window glass includes aluminum, vinyl, insulating spacers, and lamination layers that need to be removed before recycling, which can be time-consuming and costly.
- How to Recycle:
- Reuse: Reusing old windows in construction and renovation projects is the most effective way to reduce waste.
- Careful Separation: If recycling, separate window glass from other materials and remove any non-glass components.
6. Landscaping Waste
- Landscaping waste includes brush, trees, and other vegetation cleared to make room for new construction.
- Recycling Benefits:
- Reduces Landfill Waste: Many states and local communities have banned landscape waste from landfills.
- Soil Enrichment: Composting and mulching landscape waste enriches the soil.
- How to Recycle:
- Mulch: Use yard waste as mulch around the yard to suppress weeds and retain moisture.
- Composting: Compost landscape waste for use as fertilizer.
- Replanting: Dig up and replant vegetation such as hydrangeas, hostas, and rosebushes.
7. Appliances
- Construction projects often involve kitchen additions or renovations, leading to the replacement of old appliances.
- Recycling Benefits:
- Reduces Waste: Recycling appliances keeps them out of landfills.
- Resource Recovery: Appliances contain valuable metals and other materials that can be recovered and reused.
- How to Recycle:
- Donation: Donate working appliances to organizations such as the Salvation Army, Habitat for Humanity, or Goodwill.
- Community Reuse: Give old appliances to someone in the neighborhood or community.
- Local Recycling Centers: Recycle appliances at local recycling centers.
- Specialized Pickup: Find a company or recycling facility that will pick up non-working appliances.
8. Concrete and Masonry
- Concrete and masonry debris, once considered mere garbage, is now routinely recycled and reused. Each year, construction companies recycle 140 million tons of concrete in the United States.
- Recycling Benefits:
- Reduces Landfill Waste: Recycling concrete frees up space in landfills.
- Cost Savings: Recycling saves builders millions of dollars.
- How to Recycle:
- Crushing Centers: Remove concrete and masonry rubble to a crushing center.
- On-Site Crushing: Concrete can be crushed and sifted at the job site.
- Reuse: Crushed concrete can be reused in pavement for roads and driveways.
- Foundations: Recycled concrete is a good foundation for placing pipes and other utilities.
- Landscaping: Larger pieces of concrete rubble can be used in landscaping.
9. Asphalt
- Asphalt is widely used in building roads, highways, airport runways, and parking lots. The Federal Highway Administration estimates that construction crews remove 90 million tons of asphalt each year from American roads, with 90 percent being recycled and reused.
- Recycling Benefits:
- Resource Conservation: Recycling asphalt reduces the need for new materials.
- Cost Savings: Reusing asphalt is more cost-effective than producing new asphalt.
- How to Recycle:
- Repaving Projects: Recycled asphalt is primarily used in repaving and reconstruction projects.
10. Copper
- Copper is a highly valuable metal found in piping and wiring. The average home contains about 400 pounds of copper.
- Recycling Benefits:
- High Value: Copper can fetch up to $3 a pound in some areas.
- Maintains Strength: Recycled copper retains its strength and durability.
- How to Recycle:
- Salvage and Sell: Salvage copper pipe and wire and sell it to junkyards and scrap-metal dealers.
- Theft Prevention: Due to its high value, protect copper from theft at construction sites.
Deconstruction: An Alternative to Demolition
Deconstruction is the process of carefully dismantling buildings to salvage and reuse materials. Unlike demolition, which quickly razes structures with heavy machinery, deconstruction is a methodical process. Though initially more expensive and time-consuming, deconstruction is far better for the environment.
Benefits of Deconstruction:
- Waste Reduction: Deconstruction significantly reduces the amount of waste sent to landfills.
- Material Reuse: Materials such as lumber, windows, doors, and fixtures can be reused in new construction projects.
- Environmental Benefits: Deconstruction prioritizes reuse over disposal.
Overcoming Challenges in Construction Recycling
Implementing a construction recycling program can present challenges, but with the right strategies, these can be overcome.
- Cost and Time Constraints: Deconstruction can be more time-consuming and initially more expensive than traditional demolition.
- Lack of Awareness and Infrastructure: Many contractors and construction workers may not be fully aware of the benefits of recycling or have access to the necessary infrastructure.
Strategies for Success:
- Partner with Recycling Centers: Collaborate with local recycling facilities to streamline the process and ensure materials are properly processed.
- Implement On-Site Sorting: Designate specific areas for different types of recyclable materials to simplify sorting and collection.
- Utilize On-Site Crushing: For concrete and masonry, consider using on-site crushing equipment to reduce transportation costs and prepare the material for reuse.
- Training and Education: Educate workers on proper recycling procedures and the benefits of recycling.
Real-World Examples of Successful Construction Recycling
Habitat for Humanity: This organization actively dismantles houses to salvage and reuse materials. In Akron, Ohio, Habitat for Humanity dismantled four empty structures, carefully salvaging materials instead of demolishing them.
World Trade Center: Following the tragic events of 9/11, much of the steel debris from the World Trade Center was recycled, with some used to construct the USS New York.
How to Start a Construction Recycling Program
- Assess Waste Streams: Identify and quantify the types and volumes of waste materials generated at the construction site.
- Find Local Recycling Facilities: Partner with local recycling centers that accept the types of materials generated.
- Train the Team: Educate workers on proper recycling procedures and provide clear guidelines and signage for sorting materials.
- Implement Sorting Procedures: Set up designated areas for different recyclable materials to ensure proper sorting and collection.
- Track and Measure: Monitor the amount of waste recycled and the resulting cost savings and environmental benefits.
By integrating these recycling practices, construction sites can transform waste into valuable resources, contributing to a more sustainable and environmentally responsible future.
