Residential Construction Waste Management Demonstration and ...

include a supply-install concept (i.e., creating a direct link between the material
purchaser and the installer) could result in the generation of less waste.
In general, builders were reluctant to consider waste reduction opportunities that involved
significant changes in construction methods or even minor modifications to a home's
appearance. Waste management was perceived as more of an "after-the-fact"
phenomenon in home construction and as less of an integral part of the home
construction process.
Recycling and Reuse Sessions
In Grand Rapids, the discussion on reuse and recycling was driven by the fact that participants
maintain a high level of interest in alternatives to disposal despite today's relatively low and
stable disposal costs. In Portland, local government's substantial commitment to construction
waste management has led efforts to educate and inform the fragmented building industry about
available recovery opportunities. In Maryland, where virtually no alternatives to disposal are
available, participants expressed general concern that failures to adopt alternatives would lead to
inevitable increases in the cost of dealing with construction waste.
The workshop sessions included both a material-specific discussion and a general discussion on
recovery methods. Some key points included the following:
Wood. With significant processing costs and the absence of market structures, recycled
wood cannot compete with sources of virgin wood fiber in the production of building
materials. Nonetheless, some counties currently accept source-separated wood waste at
a reduced tipping fee. A facility in Prince George's County, Maryland, for example,
accepts pallets, brush, and "untreated" wood for eventual sale to mulching operations.
Given the controversy, however, as to the acceptability of engineered wood products for
mulch because of adhesive content, the possibility of topsoil-applied new-construction
wood waste is uncertain. Not surprisingly, much of the discussion during the Prince
George's County workshop focused on research needs and opportunities regarding the
suitability of wood products containing adhesives for various agricultural uses in terms
of environmental, health and safety standpoint considerations.
Drywall. Recycling of drywall into new wallboard is feasible only in areas of the
country close to wallboard manufacturing plants that have or can easily add the
technology required to handle waste wallboard processing. One manufacturer, for
example, has 140 building product distribution centers nationwide that could become
involved in the recovery of waste gypsum wallboard if cost-effective methods of
handling the materials were developed. In addition, some research on agricultural and/or
topsoil application of ground gypsum has been performed, but no studies to date have
addressed any potential hazards associated with trace organic compounds such as dioxin
or heavy metals that may be embodied in waste gypsum wallboard. The Gypsum
Association, in conjunction with the USDA Agricultural Research Service, is just
embarking on a research effort to address this issue. Depending on the results of the
investigation, certain agricultural and topsoil uses of waste gypsum wallboard may gain
formal acceptance as an alternative to disposal.