Waste Reduction, Construction and Demolition Debris - Iowa ...

Concrete recycling is becoming an
increasingly popular way to utilize
aggregate left behind when structures
or roadways are demolished. In the
past, this rubble was disposed of
in landfills, but with more attention
being paid to environmental concerns,
concrete recycling allows reuse of the
rubble while also keeping construction
costs down. Rock Hard Concrete
Recycling of West Branch is pictured
here crushing concrete materials in
Cedar Rapids in an occupied apartment
complex. Fugitive dust is minimal from
this operation.
2. Select a contractor with proven recycling experience
Include a requirement for proven waste reduction experience in requests for
proposals (RFPs) and as part of pre-qualification for potential contractors. Determine
if they have a track record of past performance by looking at the waste management
plans and documentation verifying the recycling rate on past projects.
Construction companies who are members of the U.S. Green Building Council, the
Iowa Center on Sustainable Communities and Iowa Master Builders Association are
more than likely experienced in waste reduction.
3. Use a Construction Waste Management Specification
A Construction Waste Management Specification written with legally enforceable
language is your most effective tool to ensure waste reduction happens successfully on
your project. (See Appendix I)
Specify the co-mingled recycling facility. Require that if co-mingled recycling is used
that the materials are hauled to a material recovery facility with the highest recycling
rate and is the one that you have specified. It is wise to get assurances regarding
recycling rate and end markets in writing.
Require a construction waste management plan. (See the sample plan Appendix G)
Require that the plan your contractor submits include the following:
• Restates the project’s waste reduction goal.
• Designates a recycling coordinator responsible for implementing the plan.
• Identifies the waste materials expected, their disposal method and handling
procedures.
• Defines how the plan will be communicated to the crew and subcontractors.
Review the contractor’s construction waste management plan
• Evaluate the waste materials expected, their disposal method and handling
procedures to ensure they will achieve your project’s waste reduction goal.
• Require waste management reports. Require the contractor to submit this report
with the application for progress payment. (See the sample report Appendix H)
• Require recycling education. Require your contractor to educate the crew regarding
the waste reduction program.
4. Monitor the program
Require the contractor to submit a waste management report with the application
for progress payment.
Monitor the success of the program and potential barriers by including a discussion
about the waste reduction program during the project meetings. Communicate,
communicate and communicate.
RENEW
Renewing is similar to reusing, you still reuse the materials salvaged from the work
site, but you bring them back to the site and incorporate them into the project design.
Examples of this could include commissioned artwork made from onsite metals,
aggregate – ground for building base or roadways, compost or mulch – ground from
clean wood materials. The only difference from salvage is that the material would be
redirected to a processing company and returned to the site or processed right at the
site and returned to service in another form.
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