C&D diversion planning

Creating a successful diversion program

Preventing C&D waste pays off. In fact, it’s often easier and less expensive to divert jobsite waste than to dispose of it. Donating materials for reuse often doesn’t cost contracts anything and recycling fees are generally lower than disposal fees. build a successful diversion program and overcome common challenges.

Create a waste management plan

A waste management plan does not need to be lengthy or complicated to be effective. A successful plan should contain:

• Waste recycling or reuse goals
• Analysis of project waste
• Disposal methods
• Material handling procedures
• Instructions for the crew and subcontractors

Use these materials to build your plan:

• Waste Management Plan Checklist
• Waste Management Plan Template
• Waste Management Report

Determine project waste

Determine the types of materials you will divert for reuse and recycling at the jobsite.

• Use engineering estimates, previous material purchasing records or previous waste disposal records, including wastes from demolition, as a guide to estimate the types of construction materials that the project will generate.
• Estimate the quantity of each material the project will generate in cubic yards or tons.
• Keep recycling and garbage disposal receipts for reporting purposes and to accurately estimate the quantities generated on future projects.
• Identify the types of materials that can be reused or recycled during the project. The Construction Recycling Directory can be a good resource for identifying these materials.
• Include the more unusual materials such as plastic, ceiling tiles, paint, asphalt roofing and carpet in your plan.

Choose a diversion method

There are several options for collecting and delivering materials to reuse or recycling facilities.

• Contract with a salvage company to recover jobsite materials that are reusable
• Separate recyclables at the source for recycling. This method involves collecting recyclables in separate containers as they are generated. The hauler takes the sorted materials to a recycling facility. Materials not accepted in commingled recycling loads, such as carpet or ceiling tile, must be source-separated for recycling.
• Contract with a recycling hauler that accepts commingled construction and demolition materials. This method allows you to put multiple recyclables such as wood, cardboard and metals in one container. The hauler takes the materials to a sorting facility where the materials are then separated for recycling.
• Combine the two methods above for a 3-bin system. One for commingled recyclables, one for garbage, and one for phase appropriate source separated materials (clean wood bin during framing, drywall bin during drywalling, etc.)
• Self-haul your materials. Source-separate materials in piles or containers on site and haul them to a local salvage company, recycling facility or C&D transfer site yourself. You also may be able to drop off commingled loads at certain C&D processing facilities.

Visit our Construction and Demolition Materials page for more info on recycling methods.

Calculate costs and savings

Once you have established a plan for recycling and reusing materials, you can determine the cost-effectiveness of your efforts by using the Recycling Economics Worksheet to calculate your disposal and recycling costs. The worksheet contains separate calculation sheets for commercial-hauling and self-hauling options, as well as samples of completed worksheets.

Design specifications

When creating the design specifications include language that addresses waste reduction, reuse and recycling expectations during construction and demolition. You can use these examples:

• Section 017419 - Construction Waste Management - also used as Section 01505 and Section 1524
• Section 01736 - Building Deconstruction (and Salvage) – also used as Section 02050 or Section 024293 under 2004 CSI

Involve subcontractors

Require your subcontractors to use the on-site recycling and disposal bins or require them to recycle their own waste and provide documentation.

On large projects it’s important to specify the waste management goals in any subcontractor agreements. For example, the subcontractor agreement might state:

"The subcontractor will make a good-faith effort to reduce the amount of waste generated on the jobsite and recycle material as per the contractor's waste management plan. The subcontractor will follow the designated handling procedures for each type of waste generated on site and provide documentation to verify material reuse, recycling and disposal as indicated in the waste management plan."

Manage your program

Designate a leader, either an individual or a team, who will be responsible for educating the crew and subcontractors, setting up the site and coordinating and supervising recycling efforts to prevent contamination in the recycling loads.

Find appropriate space

Recycling and reuse efforts require space. Set aside an area of the jobsite to store salvaged building materials and house recycling bins for either commingled or source-separated loads.

Promote and educate

Communicate your plan to the crew and subcontractors on site. They will need to know:

• How materials should be separated
• Where materials should go
• How often the materials will be collected and delivered to the appropriate facilities
•  Include waste-handling requirements and expectations in all project documents.

Prevent contamination

Adopt strategies to prevent contamination.

• Clearly label the recycling bins and waste containers on site.
• Post lists of recyclable and non-recyclable materials.
• Conduct regular site visits to verify that bins are not contaminated.
• Provide feedback to the crew and subcontractors on the results of their efforts.

C&D diversion/recycling report form

Our project report form was developed to meet the basic requirements in instances where a construction and demolition (C&D) report is needed. Some permitting jurisdictions require the use of this form as part of their permitting requirements. Other jurisdictions refer permit applicants to it as an educational resource.

Download the C&D Materials Diversion Report form

Design for disassembly (DfD)

DfD is a building design process that allows for the easy recovery of products, parts and materials when a building is disassembled or renovated. It’s intended to maximize economic value and minimize environmental impacts through reuse, repair, remanufacture and recycling. A DfD process considers the assemblies, components, materials, construction techniques, and information and management systems.

The DfD building design process also addresses energy recovery from materials and safe biodegradation. DfD enables flexibility, convertibility, addition, and subtraction of whole-buildings and can even avoid the removal of buildings altogether.

Read the DfD guide for more information on DfD principles and methods.