Best References: Construction and Demolition (C&D)

With steady economic growth in many regions, the construction, renovation, and demolition industries are expected to continue to largely impact disposal waste streams unless reduction, reuse, and recycling methods are employed. This section provides background information on the generation and recovery of construction, renovation, and demolition debris (commonly referred to as C&D debris). The section also includes information on practical waste reduction, reuse, and recycling methods for the C&D industry, as well as information on environmentally-friendly building design and construction methods (commonly referred to as "green building").
Date Last Updated: 6/23/2008

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Fact Sheets | Articles and Reports | Manuals | Web sites |

Fact Sheets |

Section Title: Construction and Demolition
Full Title: 1998 North Carolina Markets Assessment of the Recycling Industry and Recyclable Materials
URL: /02/0162205.pdf
Length: 19 pages
Date: June 1999
Full Work Author: NC Division of Pollution Prevention and Environmental Assistance
Section Author: Blaisdell, John; Hickman, Jim
Abstract: This assessment characterizes North Carolina’s Construction and Demolition recycling market for 1997 and 2002, focusing on supply and demand, and provides recommendations for improving the recycling infrastructure of Construction and Demolition. It also discusses trends and highlights changes that have occurred during the years.

Full Title: A Pollution Prevention Guide for Building Construction and Demolition
URL: /09/08362.htm
Length: 5 pages
Full Work Author: Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control
Abstract: Fact sheet of tips to reduce waste for businesses involved with building construction and demolition. This document also includes specific waste reduction techniques, ideas on reusing and recycling materials and sources of additional help to address the individual needs of each company.

Full Title: Fact Sheet - Construction and Demolition Debris Salvage Program with Depots
URL: /11/10524.pdf
Length: 2 pages
Full Work Author: Oregon Environmental Cleanup Division
Abstract: A waste composition study done by Metro (the regional government for the Portland metropolitan area) in 1994, determined that nearly 26% of the region's disposed waste is generated by construction (including remodeling) and demolition debris (C&D) of structures such as residential and commercial buildings and roadways - approximately 256,000 tons out of a total of about 1,000,000 tons. Much of this waste is easily reused or recycled, so it makes sense to target it for waste reduction and recycling. In this factsheet we focus on reuse

Full Title: Fact Sheet - Disposal of Constuction and Demolition Debris
URL: /09/08542.pdf
Length: 6 pages
Full Work Author: Pro-act DSN
Abstract: Many non-historic World War II- and Korean War-era buildings no longer meet the needs of today's Air Force, and demolition of these outdated structures is quite common. The construction of state-of-the-art buildings to replace outdated structures is a familiar site on Air Force installations.

Full Title: Fact Sheet: Pollution Prevention: Strategies for Demolition Waste
URL: /11/10479.htm
Full Work Author: Center for Hazardous Materials Research
Abstract: Each of the pollution prevention practices described in this fact sheet is an extension of the simple but powerful idea that it makes far more sense to eliminate the generation of waste than to develop complex and costly treatment schemes once it has been generated

Section Title: Concrete: The Natural Alternative for Building Construction
Full Title: First South Florida Sustainable Building Conference & Exhibition
URL: /19/18237.pdf
Length: 3 pages
Date: 4/97
Full Work Author: Dade County - Dade Green Coalition
Section Author: Graber, Dennis W.
Abstract: Pervious Portland Cement Pavement effectively 'treats' stormwater and replenishes our drinking water supply with high quality, purified water. Considering the entire picture, concrete certainly is a very 'green', environmentally friendly building material

Full Title: Pollution Prevention Pays! - The EcoSmart Concrete Project: Raw Material Substation/Construction Industry
URL: /22/21845.pdf
Length: 2 pages
Full Work Author: Environment Canada

Full Title: Technology Brief - Quality Control for Recycled Concrete as a Structural Fill Material
URL: /13/12642.pdf
Length: 2 pages
Date: 1/98
Full Work Author: Clean Washington Center, Recycling Technology Assistance Partnership (ReTAP)

Section Title: Landfills and Concrete Shouldn't Mix
Full Title: Waste Age
URL: /10/09099.pdf
Length: 2 pages
Date: January 1989
Section Author: Meade, Kathleen
Abstract: This article presents efforts to recycle concrete, focusing on Iafrate Construction.

Full Title: WASTE MATERIALS MANAGEMENT AND RECYCLING SECTION 01690
URL: /32/31041.htm
Full Work Author: RESEARCH & ADMINISTRATION FACILITY, U.S. EPA , RTP, N.C.
Abstract: This Section includes required salvage and recycling requirements and applies to all such listed waste materials produced during the course of this consruction project.

Full Title: Water Quality and Waste Management - Managing Construction and Demolition Debris: A Guide for Builders, Developers, and Contractors
URL: /01/00078.htm
Length: 3 pages
Date: May 1994
Full Work Author: Sherman, Rhonda
Abstract: This fact sheet introduces ways that builders can reduce C&D waste. Includes a list of contacts for additional information..

Articles and Reports |

Section Title: Saving Landfill Space - Processing C&D Debris for Markets
Full Title: BioCycle
URL: /33/32494.pdf
Length: 2 pages
Date: October 1998
Section Author: Block, Dave
Abstract: Recycling construction and demolition debris to save landfill space. Focus on metals, plastics, fiberglass and wood.

Full Title: Building Savings: Strategies for Waste Reduction of Construction and Demolition Debris from Buildings
URL: /38/37353.pdf
Length: 20 pages
Date: 6/00
Full Work Author: US EPA
Abstract: Discusses the reuse and recycling of construction and demolition debris.

Full Title: Construction and Demolition Debris
URL: /19/18196.pdf
Length: 2 pages
Full Work Author: Illinois EPA
Abstract: Proper management and reduction of the amount of C&D waste you generate can save money, conserve resources, and preserve the environment.

Full Title: Directory of Markets for Recyclable Materials
URL: /04/03093.pdf
Length: 120 pages
Date: September 1999
Full Work Author: NC Division of Pollution Prevention and Environmental Assistance
Abstract: The directory is divided into two sections. The first lists the recyclers alphabetically and then the materials they work with. This listing is similar to yellow pages advertising. The next section lists the major categories, which break down into specific recyclable materials, and then lists the companies providing the services. It was reprinted with a September 1997 date, but is identical with the February 1997 issue.

Full Title: Managing Construction and Demolition Waste
URL: /15/14907.pdf
Length: 4 pages
Date: 1/01
Full Work Author: Missouri Department of Natural Resources Division of Environmental Quality Solid Waste Management Program

Full Title: Residential Construction Waste: From Disposal To Management
URL: /01/00173.htm
Length: 5 pages
Date: 1997
Full Work Author: Peter Yost
Abstract: Guideline for residential builders intended to aid them in the management of waste disposal. Intended to provide both economic and environmental benefits. Analysis of construction waste produced during residential home construction. Characterization of the construction waste components, and recycling options.

Section Title: Less Waste on the Loading Dock
Full Title: Resource Recycling
URL: /03/02986.pdf
Length: 3 pages
Date: May 1997
Section Author: Twede, Diana
Abstract: Transportation deregulation, rising waste disposal costs, market power and shift of bargaining power are 4 factors influencing the logistical packaging industry. These 4 factors have brought on innovative ideas for reducing, reusing and recycling transport packaging waste. As a result, future packaging will use less material, more packaging will be recycled, and more decisions will be based on customers' needs.

Manuals |

Full Title: 1997 Buy-Recycled Series - Construction Products
URL: /01/00690.pdf
Length: 12 pages
Date: November 1997
Full Work Author: US EPA Solid Waste and Emergency Response
Abstract: This document provides information on the types of construction products that can be reused and recycled, and information on buying products made with recycled materials.

Full Title: Characterization of Building-Related Construction and Demolition Debris in the United States
URL: /02/01095.pdf
Length: 100 pages
Date: June 1998
Full Work Author: Franklin Associates
Abstract: Analysis of construction and demolition debris recycling at the national level. Covers the estimated generation and recovery of C&D debris for 1996.

Full Title: Construction Products
URL: /04/03092.pdf
Length: 27 pages
Full Work Author: US EPA

Full Title: Deconstruction - Building Disassembly and Material Salvage: The Riverdale Case Study
URL: /01/00805.pdf
Length: 55 pages
Date: June 1997
Full Work Author: Lund, Eric; Yost, Peter
Abstract: Addresses how and under what conditions building disassembly and salvage can be cost-competitive with standard demolition. It does this through the examination of the manual disassembly of common building materials - brick, framing lumber, hardwood flooring, windows, doors, and assorted fixtures - of a 2,000 square foot, 4-unit, residential building in Baltimore. Includes recommendations to policy makers.

Full Title: Military Base Closures Handbook- A Guide to Construction and Demolition Materials Recovery
URL: /26/25886.pdf
Length: 41 pages
Date: 1/02
Full Work Author: California Integrated Waste Management Board
Abstract: Guidelines for closing military bases.

Section Title: C&D/Wood Debris Management Trends
Full Title: Resource Recycling
URL: /03/02985.pdf
Length: 5 pages
Date: November 1998
Section Author: Yost, Peter
Abstract: National Association of Home Builders Research Center report on the characterization of construction and demolition debris. The article provides an estimate of the amount of C&D debris generated yearly.

Full Title: Sustainable Building Technical Manual - Green Building Design, Construction, and Operations
URL: /04/03128.htm
Length: 146 pages
Date: 1996
Full Work Author: Osso, Annette; Walsh, Taly; Gottfried, David A.; et al.
Abstract: Public Technology, Inc. developed this manual to address the growing demand for information on the design and construction of green buildings. It includes information on building design and siting, solar design, building systems (HVAC, plumbing), indoor environmental quality (air quality, acoustics), materials, construction, and operations and maintenance.

Web sites |

Full Title: Biomass Resource Information Clearinghouse (BRIC)
URL: http://rredc.nrel.gov/otherlinks.html
Full Work Author: National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), US Department of Energy (US-DOE)
Abstract: Clearinghouse to provide high-quality biomass resource data for the USA to the energy community. Compilation of Internet information sources on biomass in the USA, e.g. glossaries, plans, bibliographies, resource maps and weather data. Offers mainly links to American governmental organizations that carry out programs and projects in the fields of renewable energy and biomass.

Full Title: Building Green - Publishers of Environmental Building News
URL: http://www.buildinggreen.com/
Full Work Author: Building Green
Abstract: This site is the online version of Environmental Building News, the leading periodical on environmentally sustainable design and construction. It contains articles, reviews, and news stories on energy-efficient, resource-efficient, and healthy building practices.

Full Title: Center for Construction & Environment
URL: http://www.cce.ufl.edu/past/deconstruction/reuse.html
Full Work Author: University of Florida

Full Title: Construction
URL: http://www.cwc.org
Full Work Author: Clean Washington Center
Abstract: This web site provides markets assessments, case studies, and general information about construction and demolition waste and recycling.

Full Title: Construction and Demolition Debris Publications
URL: http://www.ciwmb.ca.gov
Full Work Author: California Integrated Waste Management Board
Abstract: This web site contains several fact sheets with information about alternatives to disposal for the commodities included in the C&D waste stream.

Full Title: Construction Recycling/Sustainable Building: How Others Fight Waste
URL: http://www.metrokc.gov/dnrp/swd/greenbuilding/index.asp
Full Work Author: Greenworks - King County, Washington
Abstract: This web site provides handouts and case studies for builders about reducing and recycling construction and demolition debris. It contains information about waste reduction and recycling, including on-site recycling, and provides cost savings data for similar projects in King County.

Full Title: Oikos Green Building Sources - Green Building News
URL: http://oikos.com
Full Work Author: Oikos
Abstract: This site contains a catalog of books, videos, and software for sustainable construction; a searchable database of companies that feature environmentally friendly products; and links to other green building sites.

Full Title: Sustainable Building Sources
URL: http://www.greenbuilder.com/
Full Work Author: Texas Infinet Networking Sources
Abstract: This site contains green building news articles, conference announcements, a green building professionals directory,a bookstore and calendar, Green Building databases, local Texas info, links to other green building sites, and the Sustainable Building Sourcebook.

Full Title: Waste Management Publications Offered by the NAHB Research Center
URL: http://www.nahbrc.org/
Full Work Author: NAHB Research Center and EPA's Office of Solid Waste and Office of Policy
Abstract: This website contains downloadable documents and field manuals on topics such as residential construction and remodeling waste management and reduction plans, carpet and padding reuse and recycling, building disassembly (deconstruction) and material salvage, and how to start a construction waste business.

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Content provided by N.C. Division of Pollution Prevention and Environmental Assistance and Waste Reduction Resource Center through a grant from the EPA.