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

INTRODUCTION
This document is intended to lay the foundation for resource reduction strategies in new construction, renovation and demolition.
If you have an innovative idea or information that you believe should be included in future updates of this manual please email Shelly
Codner at scodner@region12cog.org or Jan Loyson at Jan.Loyson@Iowalifechanging.com.
Throughout this manual, we use the term “waste reduction” to define waste management initiatives that will result in less waste going
to the landfill. In accordance with the waste management hierarchy these practices include reducing (waste prevention), reusing
(deconstruction and salvage), recycling and renewing (making old things new again) - in that order. This manual will explain what
these practices are and how to incorporate them into your projects.
FIRST AND FOREMOST
Follow all Federal, State and Local regulatory guidelines and compliance requirements when undertaking any construction or
demolition resource reduction project. Areas of consideration should include but are not limited to the following:
• Asbestos (See Appendix A)
• Beneficial Reuse of Solid Waste (See Appendix B)
• Hazardous Materials (See Appendix C)
• Storm Water Permitting (See Appendix D)
• Universal Waste (See Appendix E)
The regulatory summaries that appear in the appendices above were prepared by the Iowa Waste Reduction Center/University of
Northern Iowa. For a complete listing of other regulatory summaries that might be applicable to your individual project(s), please see
Appendix F. You may access these regulatory summaries online at www.iwrc.org/regsums.
CONSTRUCTION AND DEMOLITION WASTE DEFINED
Construction and Demolition debris (C&D) is defined as all non-hazardous solid waste resulting from construction and demolition
activities. C&D materials that can be reused or recycled include but are not limited to the following:
• Acoustical ceiling tiles
• Asphalt
• Asphalt shingles
• Bricks
• Cardboard
• Carpet and pad
• Concrete
• Dirt
• Drywall
• Field office waste (paper, cans, glass,
plastic bottles and cardboard)
• Fluorescent lights and ballasts
• Insulation
• Landclearing debris
DISASTER DEBRIS – SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS
Every year, natural disasters destroy residential and
commercial buildings across Iowa. In a crisis, emergency
management of debris places yet another burden on
property owners and emergency managers. Typically, a great
deal of demolition debris needs to be managed in a short
period of time.
All Iowans should be concerned with public health,
safety and environmental impacts when demolition
debris is mismanaged and offers assistance to communities
in managing storm-generated debris. In the wake of a
natural disaster please contact your IDNR field office
before undertaking cleanup activities. You may access
contact information for your specific field office at
www.iowadnr.gov/fo/index.html.
Typical types of waste generated from natural disasters are
listed below.
Appliances
Appliances frequently contain hazardous materials such
• Metals
• Paint
• Plastic film from packaging
• Porcelain
• Window glass
• Wood
Waste sorting activities in wake of the May 25, 2008, EF5 tornado, that touched
down in Butler County Iowa. The twister destroyed one-third of the community
of Parkersburg and then continued its path of destruction through rural New
Hartford before heading into Black Hawk County. Less than two weeks later, the
community of New Hartford was hit again as devastating flood waters engulfed
the entire community.
PHOTOS COURTESY OF JERRY PLATTER
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