7 Materials that can be Recycled at Your Construction Site

Construction and demolition (C&D) materials are among the leading contributors to solid waste in the United States. According to the Construction & Demolition Recycling Association (CDRA), over 325 million tons of recoverable C&D waste are generated yearly. The sheer volume of these materials underscores the need for environmentally friendly waste management methods, prompting more companies to reduce, reuse, and recycle whenever feasible.

Deconstruction and the Sustainable Management of C&D Materials

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recommends a Sustainable Materials Management (SMM) technique called Deconstruction to minimize the use of virgin materials and extend the life of existing resources. This process involves the careful dismantling of buildings and structures to salvage components that can be reused or recycled.

Some of the environmental and economic benefits of Deconstruction include:

Maximizing the recovery of building materials
Conserving forest resources
Providing employment and training opportunities
Diverting construction and demolition debris that is bound for disposal
Preserving resources through recycling and reuse

C&D Materials that can be Reused

As green building gains traction in the industry, more construction professionals and design practitioners are now seeking practical ways to lessen the disposal of C&D materials.

Here are some of the things that can be salvaged and reused to cut waste at your construction site:

Doors, hardware, fixtures, appliances, and other easy-to-remove items

When dismantled accordingly, doors and other fixtures can be salvaged and used for other renovation or construction projects. Functioning appliances can be donated to charity organizations or even a neighbor in need. For non-working appliances, reach out to local recycling centers for what options are available in your area.

Lumber and wood cut-offs

EPA statistics show that around 1 billion board feet of structural lumber are available yearly for salvage. This accounts for roughly 3 percent of the current softwood harvest in the United States. Wood can be reused in various ways. Instead of cutting full-length lumber, cut-offs can be used for blocking, lintels, and cripples. Old lumber and timber can be re-milled to build new floors and paneling.

Gypsum and Drywall

It is estimated that the United States produces 15 million tons of new drywall each year, and 12 percent of new construction drywall is wasted during installation. This makes gypsum wallboard one of the most significant contributors to waste in residential construction. Moderate quantities of crushed and de-papered gypsum can be used as a soil amendment, and in many cases, it can be recycled into new wallboard paper.

Brick, masonry, and concrete

Around 140 million tons of concrete are recycled annually in the United States. Brick, masonry, and concrete are commonly recycled as fill or subbase material. Crushed concrete may be used as driveway bedding, while larger concrete pieces can be utilized in landscaping.

Excess insulation

Leftover insulation from exterior walls can be reused as noise-reduction material for interior walls. Recycling options may also vary depending on the type of insulation material—denim, wool, polystyrene, and more.

Paint

While oil-based paint is considered a household hazardous waste, latex paint can be recycled and remixed as base paint on renovation projects. Excess paint could also be used for paint jobs in storage areas or garages, where a specific color isn’t the top priority.