Construction

The Construction Industry Advisor

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Are you ready to hit pay dirt?

Reuse and recycle jobsite materials

Hitting pay dirt at demolition and construction sites is as easy as looking beyond piles of rubble for potential treasure. Reusing and recycling demolition and construction debris cuts waste, reduces purchasing and waste disposal costs, and may attract new clients who value environmental responsibility.

Dollars in the dumpster

The reuse and recycling of materials is growing in popularity as the construction industry increasingly embraces environmentally responsible methods and practices. The opportunity for financial savings stems primarily from the landfill -- less construction site waste means lower disposal fees.

To see just how much savings can be realized, consider the case of the former Division of Consolidated Laboratory Services building and the former Motor Fuel Lab, both in Richmond, Va. The buildings were demolished in 2003, yielding nearly 14,000 tons of asphalt, concrete, steel and other debris. A study revealed that conventional demolition methods would have resulted in costs of more than $590,000, while demolition with an aggressive recycling program cost less than $100,000.

Some communities make reusing and recycling materials more attractive by offering contractors financial incentives for reducing the amount of waste they send to landfills. For example, county officials in a North Carolina community were charging $30 a ton in 2005 to add unseparated construction wastes at the landfill, whereas the fee for clean wood was $16 a ton and $5 a ton for clean concrete brick and block.

To get the full benefit from these programs, some contractors give their subs an incentive to produce less waste by requiring them to include the cost of removing waste in their bids.

Take a bite out of purchasing costs

Think of how much money you can save by reusing raw supplies. For example, wood forms can frequently be used up to 15 times, according to the Seattle/King County (Washington) Contractors Guide. Or, you can use reusable metal or fiberglass forms. You can pocket the money you would have otherwise spent on these reusable items:

• Wood beams and dimensional lumber,

• Steel fasteners,

• Sheetrock,

• Bricks and tile,

• Ceiling tiles, doors and flooring,

• Insulation, and

• Pipes.

One caveat: Some building materials may not be recyclable or reusable, because they're contaminated with hazardous materials, such as lead paint.

Old becomes new again

Scores of job site materials can be recycled -- including wood, metal and cardboard -- but the markets for wood and metal tend to be the strongest. In fact, contractors can easily sell materials to scrap metal yards that are eager for aluminum, copper, steel and brass. Glass, sheetrock, asphalt, concrete, brick, doors and fixtures are also recyclable, but the markets can be more volatile.

Learn about recycling opportunities in your project area from local solid waste managers, regional offices of state solid waste management agencies and waste haulers. They may also give you some valuable tips on how to get started with a basic recycling program.

Sort, store and haul away

Reusing and recycling materials is good for business and the environment, but it does require you to think outside the cardboard box, so to speak. For instance, you'll need debris bins that allow workers to sort and store salvageable building contents and components. Some projects, such as demolition, multifamily and commercial projects, will generate large quantities of reusable materials. So, you'll probably want to hire a commercial hauler to sort and haul away the materials.

Determining which method is most feasible for a particular site depends on the scope and nature of the project, its location, and available resources and labor.

Good business

Small changes to your building practices can add up to more profits for your company. Activities that limit waste production and reduce the pressure on landfills save money and resources. They are also valuable marketing tools for bidding on projects that participate in local and national green building certification programs.