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Community Waste Prevention Toolkit: Construction & Demolition Fact Sheet

While building construction worldwide uses 40 percent of all the raw materials extracted from the earth, according to the Worldwatch Institute1, the renovation and demolition of buildings in the US accounted for more than one-fifth of our total annual waste stream -- 125 million tons -- in 1996. Another 11 million tons resulted from new construction projects2.

Construction, renovation, and demolition projects create environmental and economic problems in addition to waste. These include depletion of already diminishing natural resources, air and water pollution from waste that is improperly disposed of, and, for many state and local governments, pressure on premium landfill space and taxpayer dollars.

As virgin materials become scarcer and more costly, some increased recycling of construction, renovation, and demolition waste (known as C&D waste) has occurred, but most of these materials continue to be discarded. Only 20 to 30 percent of the C&D waste generated in 1996 (the last year for which comprehensive statistics are available) was recovered for processing and recycling3. Moreover, many types of construction materials and demolition waste contain persistent, bioaccumulative toxins (PBTs) and other hazardous substances.

This fact sheet describes strategies to reduce waste and prevent pollution generated during building construction, renovation, and demolition.

C&D Waste Prevention Basics

Construction Materials and Hazardous Waste

Waste Prevention Strategies for Local Government Officials

Developing, Designing, and Managing Buildings with Waste Prevention in Mind

Preventing Waste and Pollution During Construction, Renovation, and Demolition

Model Green Building Policy

Additional Information

Notes

The fact sheet is designed for three audiences:

• Local government officials (including planners and policy-makers, environmental regulators, purchasing agents, and construction departments)
• Architects and designers, facility managers, real estate developers, and other construction materials specifiers
• Construction and demolition contractors.

While each of these groups has its own role in construction and demolition projects, coordination and information sharing among government officials, developers, architects, and demolition and general contractors can be the key to a successful waste prevention initiative.

C&D Waste Prevention Basics

Reuse and renovation. From entire structures to selected components, reuse and renovation can reduce waste, materials use, capital costs, and the need for new infrastructure -- such as roads, sewers, and electrical supply.

Design for durability and adaptability. Ensure a building's maximum ability to accommodate future technological advances and other changing needs.

Design for disassembly. Buildings that can be altered easily are more likely to be renovated than torn down and replaced. Designing spaces for easy disassembly also facilitates the reclamation of construction materials for reuse and recycling.

Consider deconstruction instead of demolition. Taking a building apart piece by piece, instead of with a wrecking ball or bulldozer, preserves mechanical systems, building materials (such as bricks and wood flooring), and structural elements (such as wooden beams) for reuse in other buildings. While deconstruction generally involves a significant amount of labor, this can often be offset by recovery and reuse of valuable building materials.

Follow deconstruction with reclamation. Materials exchanges, which operate in many areas, facilitate the salvage of specific materials and building components such as plumbing fixtures, wiring, and structural items (e.g., doors, windows, and moldings). For more information on materials exchanges, contact the Reuse Development Organization at http://www.redo.org/.

Buy less toxic building materials. When undertaking a new construction or renovation project, specify environmentally preferable building materials instead of ones that contain hazardous substances. Avoid thermostats that contain mercury, pressure-treated lumber, and any products made of polyvinyl chloride (PVC, commonly known as vinyl). For more information, visit INFORM's Purchasing for Pollution Prevention Project web site at http://www.informinc.org/dev/p3_00.php.

Recover toxic materials. Segregate fluorescent lamps and ballasts, thermostats and electrical equipment containing mercury switches, wood with lead paint or wood preservatives, vinyl flooring and wall coverings, and other items that contain or may create PBTs. It is essential to recycle these toxic materials or dispose of them as hazardous waste.

Prevent stormwater runoff from construction/demolition sites. Keep stockpiled materials under cover. If necessary, use absorbent booms or hay bales, or construct a berm below stored materials to prevent runoff to gutters, streets, storm drains, or local water bodies. For more information, see the California Regional Water Quality Board's Erosion & Sediment Control Field Manual.[PDF]

Construction Materials and Hazardous Waste

When construction materials containing hazardous substances are incinerated, toxic chemicals released to the air can eventually end up in our waters, where PBTs concentrate in the food chain. The following construction materials contain PBTs or other toxic substances.

• Pressure-treated wood typically contains arsenic and chromium; drywall and painted trim from buildings constructed before 1977 may be coated with lead paint. When incinerated with municipal solid waste, these heavy metals can be released into the air we breathe.
• Thermostats, light switches, and other electrical equipment or HVAC (heating, ventilating, and air conditioning) components may contain mercury switches or gauges. These products are major sources of mercury emissions from iron and steel mills that smelt down scrap metal from demolished buildings4.
• When burned in a trash incinerator or building fire, other construction materials -- including plastic plumbing pipes and floor coverings that contain PVC -- can create new PBTs, including dioxin, and release them into the air.

Waste Prevention Strategies for Local Government Officials

Government officials can lead by example by requiring "best practices" in federal, state, and municipal contracts, and by educating developers, architects, and contractors through the permit process.

What planners and policy-makers can do:

• Pass an ordinance prohibiting the sale of mercury-containing thermostats, barometers, and electrical switches in furnaces, sump pumps, and other building materials. This will protect workers from potential exposure during installation and eliminate the need to remove and reclaim mercury in the future. Some states, such as New Hampshire (see http://www.des.state.nh.us/factsheets/hw/hw-21.htm), and some local governments have already passed legislation that prohibits "nonessential" uses of mercury.
• Stimulate mercury recovery by passing an ordinance prohibiting the disposal of mercury-containing materials in solid waste landfills. For more information about disposal restrictions on mercury, visit the Northeast Waste Management Officials' Association web site at http://www.newmoa.org/prevention/mercury/.
• Adopt and publicize a policy promoting waste reduction and pollution prevention in all publicly funded construction, renovation, and demolition projects. This will help individual agencies and institutions to change their practices, and ultimately influence private development as well.
• Encourage creative renovation projects with tax and zoning incentives. For instance, residential conversions of commercial buildings can increase local housing stock, often at reduced cost compared to new construction.
• Develop incentives for building contractors to reduce waste. The city of San Jose, California, requires contractors to pay a construction waste fee as part of the building permit process. The fee is returned to contractors that can demonstrate on-site reuse of materials or provide receipts for materials from recycling facilities.
• Maintain databases of local construction materials recyclers and contractors that practice C&D waste prevention. Post them on your municipal web site.

What environmental regulators can do:

• Institute a permit condition requiring demolition specifications and contracts to cover identification, removal, and proper management of mercury before demolition begins.
• Include waste reduction/building materials pollution prevention elements in storm-water pollution prevention plans (SWPPPs).

What purchasing agents and construction departments can do:

• Build waste prevention and resource management requirements into all bid documents and contracts. Set minimum requirements to encourage "best practices" and prevent architects and demolition/construction contractors that adopt waste prevention practices with an initial cost from losing out to lower bidders.
• Require bidders to submit C&D waste management plans that include waste prevention goals for every construction project. A waste prevention plan should identify materials targeted for waste reduction, salvage, reuse, or recycling; detail arrangements for recycling, reuse, storage, shipping, and disposal of materials; and estimate the costs of waste management.

Developing, Designing, and Managing Buildings with Waste Prevention in Mind

What real estate developers and facility managers can do:

• Specify goods and services that provide the best value over the long run. Calculate the potential life-cycle savings of waste prevention -- in terms of energy, operational, maintenance, and disposal costs. For example, investing in durable construction materials and furnishings can reduce future procurement, maintenance, and disposal costs. Coordinate the operations and capital budgets of government or business units planning new construction.
• Manage space strategically. Regularly assessing office needs and identifying opportunities to use under-utilized space in existing buildings may yield alternatives to new construction.
• Reuse existing buildings. According to one architect with expertise in this field, the cost of gutting and renovating a building is typically 30 percent less than new construction5. Opportunities for reuse can also be found through the use of value engineering -- a systematic process involving planners, architects, and consultants aimed at achieving the best value and most effective operation at the lowest overall cost.
• Plan for deconstruction, not demolition. When a building cannot be renovated, dismantling it rather than knocking it down can reduce waste and conserve resources. Conduct a materials audit before projects begin to determine the quantity and condition of all building components. Require bidders on building removal contracts to submit two prices -- one for demolition and one for deconstruction.
• Link a deconstruction project with a concurrent construction project to facilitate reuse of salvaged materials.

What architects and designers can do:

• Design buildings to facilitate future changes. Encourage the use of elements in new structures that facilitate both additions to the building shell and interior renovations -- especially in office buildings, which are most likely to be frequently altered. Options include movable wall-panel systems and spaces built to accommodate cabling, cooling, and other technology demands. Design-for-disassembly techniques (such as the use of screws or other fasteners instead of nails) can also promote renovation, as well as the salvage of high-quality lumber and other valuable construction materials.
• Rethink space allocation in office designs. As telecommuting becomes more prevalent and more and more jobs can be done with a cell phone and laptop computer, opportunities to reduce and consolidate office space abound. Because up to 50 percent of the desks in an office may be empty at any one time of day, alternatives to the traditional concept of "dedicated space" are gaining ground.6 Offices can be shared between agencies and departments or include unassigned spaces for staff who do not need to come in to work every day. Open plans with cubicles and workstations reduce the need for walls and facilitate new configurations when staffing needs change.
• Design for standard-sized building supplies. Lumber, masonry block, plywood, and other products cut to standard sizes reduce "cutoff" waste and optimize materials use and reuse.

What construction materials specifiers can do:

• Choose environmentally preferable construction materials. Identify and specify products that do not contain PBTs or other toxic chemicals, that are derived from renewable resources, that can be easily recycled or reused, and that contain recycled content. The EPA's Comprehensive Procurement Guidelines for construction include numerous building material categories, case studies, and sample specifications.
• Select prefabricated materials. Modular or prefabricated materials such as trusses, wall sections, and pre-cut studs and joints eliminate waste from on-site fabrication.
• Incorporate previously used/salvaged materials. Work with reputable third-party contractors to find used materials appropriate for construction.
• Search out and contract with suppliers that will take back materials (such as ceiling tiles or worn-out carpeting) for future reuse or recycling.
• Consider leasing certain materials. Paint and carpet manufacturers are both exploring strategies for leasing their products or the functions they provide. Companies that expect to see their products again at end of life or earlier are more likely to make them reusable or recyclable.

Preventing Waste and Pollution During Construction, Renovation, and Demolition

What construction, renovation, and demolition contractors can do:

• Know the location of all toxic chemicals present in a building scheduled for demolition or deconstruction. For example, mercury may be found in numerous electrical and HVAC components such as thermostats, gas furnaces, water heaters, barometers, manometers, sump pumps, and automatic temperature and air pressure control equipment.
• Require HVAC installers and other contractors to participate in industry-sponsored mercury-recovery programs such as the Thermostat Recycling Corporation, which accepts all brands of mercury-switch thermostats. Contractors can bring the thermostats to participating HVAC wholesalers, who send them for mercury recovery at the expense of the manufacturer. For a list of participating wholesaler drop-off sites, contact the National Electronics Manufacturers Association at http://www.nema.org/government/environment.
• Conserve and reuse building materials such as bricks, concrete aggregate, and other masonry materials on the site. Remix leftover paint for use in areas where color is less important. Centralize the location of cutting operations and encourage workers to use cutoffs instead of fresh pieces of full-sized lumber.
• Plan for efficient purchase and delivery of materials. Coordinate with project managers, contractors, subcontractors, and suppliers to ensure that the correct amount of each material is delivered at the optimum time. This facilitates bulk deliveries (reducing both packaging/shipping waste and fuel use) and helps prevent material loss, theft, and damage.
• Educate workers about the proper handling and storage of materials, especially those containing hazardous substances. Prevent exposure to toxic chemicals in products that require them. Loss and damage can result from materials' exposure to moisture, dirt, and temperature changes. Store bags of mortar and other granular material under cover; keep lumber covered and off the ground.
• Work with suppliers to minimize shipping waste. Supplier take-back of packaging and other shipping materials (such as wooden pallets and other reusable containers) for reuse or recycling reduces on-site waste disposal costs.

Model Green Building Policy

In April 2000, Dane County, Wisconsin, passed a "green" building policy intended to "protect human health, [and] be environmentally responsible and fiscally prudent over the life of the building in the delivery of all new and renovated facilities." Below is an excerpt detailing its key provisions:

To meet this goal, construction planners, engineers and contractors for Dane County shall:

• Strive to exceed all local, state, and federal environmental standards;
• Use resources efficiently and minimize the consumption of raw materials and resources during the construction and life of the facility;
• Maximize the reuse of resources;
• Minimize or eliminate the use of toxic materials;
• Seek out renewable energy sources as opposed to using fossil fuels;
• Create a healthy environment for workers, visitors, and neighbors;
• Design facilities for long term durability, flexibility, and eventual reuse; and
• Protect and restore the natural environment.

Additional Information

For general information on building-related waste in the US, see the US EPA's Characterization of Building-Related Construction and Demolition Debris in the United States at http://www.epa.gov/epaoswer/hazwaste/sqg/c&d-rpt.pdf.

For a list of publications on the environmental impacts of and solutions to C&D waste (including Timothy Townsend, Recommended Management Practices for Removing Hazardous Building Components Prior to Demolition, Florida Center for Solid and Hazardous Waste Management, December 1999), see http://www.floridacenter.org/publications/const_demo_pubs.htm.

For a list of contacts and links to state and municipal agencies with "green" building programs and policies, see http://www.worldbuild.com/ggbactivities.htm. The city of Austin's (TX) Green Building Program is one of the oldest such municipal programs in the country. It offers a wealth of information at http://www.ci.austin.tx.us/greenbuilder.

For an overview and case studies of C&D waste prevention strategies in municipal building projects, see Bette K. Fishbein, Building for the Future: Strategies to Reduce Construction and Demolition Waste in Municipal Projects, INFORM, Inc.,1998, at http://www.informinc.org/buildforfuture.php

For information on how to incorporate a waste plan and waste prevention goals into construction specifications, see WasteSpec, published by the Triangle J Council of Governments, North Carolina, at http://www.tjcog.dst.nc.us/solidwst.htm. Another good source is the Erie County Construction and Demolition Debris Recycling Directory, available on request from Susan C. Attridge, Erie County Dept. of Environment and Planning, 95 Franklin Street, Room 1077, Buffalo, NY 14202; (716) 858-6339.

For more information on deconstruction, contact the Institute for Local Self-Reliance, which has undertaken several pilot projects in public facilities and published a report entitled Deconstruction: Salvaging Today's Buildings for Tomorrow's Sustainable Communities, at http://www.ilsr.org/.

For more information on removing mercury-containing building components during deconstruction or prior to demolition, on reclaiming mercury, and on the proper disposal of mercury-containing products, see "Understanding mercury in building and component design, specification, remodeling and demolition," [PDF] a fact sheet prepared by the Minnesota Office of Environmental Assistance.

For information on sustainable waste management principles in the planning, design, and construction of large-scale commercial and residential projects, see the California Integrated Waste Management Board's Designing with a Vision: A Technical Manual for Material Choices in Sustainable Construction, 2000, at http://www.ciwmb.ca.gov/publications/.

For information on the US Green Building Council's Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design (LEED) system for rating the environmental performance of commercial, institutional, and high-rise residential buildings, see http://www.usgbc.org/.

For information on energy-efficient renovations of moderate-income houses, see the web site of Affordable Comfort, Inc., a nonprofit educational organization that promotes energy and resource efficiency, health, safety, affordability, and durability in buildings, at http://www.affordablecomfort.org/.

For information on green building products selected by Environmental Building News, see http://www.greenspec.com/index.html. The EPA's Product Stewardship site includes information on several corporate environmentally preferable building products programs, including Armstrong World Industries' Ceiling Recycling Program and the plans of Home Depot and Lowe's Companies to comply with sustainable wood products guildelines set by the Forest Stewardship Council. See http://www.epa.gov/epr/products/building.html.

For lists of recyclers and vendors of used building materials, see the Used Building Materials Association web site at http://bcn.boulder.co.us/environment/ubma/index.html.

For information on carpet take-back programs in the US, see Bette K. Fishbein, "Carpet Take-Back: EPR American Style," Environmental Quality Management, Autumn 2000, at http://www.informinc.org/carpettakeback.php.

For information on leasing as a waste-preventing alternative to purchasing products, see Bette K. Fishbein et al., Leasing: A Step Toward Producer Responsibility, INFORM, Inc., 2000, at http://www.informinc.org/leasingepr.php.

Notes