Builder Assistance Recycling Protocols

Benefits of Recycling and Reusing

• Prevents pollution and waste generation.
• Saves money through avoided cost for disposal.
• Creates new (recycling) industries.
• Reduces landfill disposal and expansion, and waste incineration and its associated air pollution.

Waste Management Plan

Plan the project
Each construction project and job site presents a different set of challenges. Develop a waste management plan for each project. An effective plan outlines job site waste reduction goals, identifies targeted materials, describes specific waste reduction actions to be implemented on a project, and identifies reuse, recycling, or disposal facilities to which materials will be taken. All of these steps are an extremely important part of the material management plan.

Estimate amount of waste expected
To address and to reduce the amount of waste being generated at a construction site, thereby reducing material and disposal costs, a basic understanding of the types and amounts of waste material being generated is needed. Because there are so many different types of structures, varieties of climates in which they are being built, and methods used to construct them, it would be impossible to quote definitive values for the types and amounts of waste generated during the construction of a structure. The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) has collected data nationally and compiled estimates on the amounts of wastes generated during construction of a “typical” 2,000 square foot home. Table 1 contains NAHB’s data for this "typical" home. Since these estimates are based on the assumption that three sides of the home’s exterior are covered with vinyl siding and the front façade is brick veneer, the data in table 1 is not totally applicable to California but it helps in understanding the problems, costs, and potential solutions.

Table 1: NAHB Construction Waste Estimate of a Typical 2000 Sq.-Ft House

Recyclable waste estimation begins by identifying what materials will go into your project's “waste stream”, i.e. those materials you would ordinarily haul to the landfill from your project site. In most cases your waste stream will be quite similar to your materials list because it is extremely rare for all of a particular material to be totally consumed by the building process.

ACTION – Copy your materials list; eliminate any materials that will be totally consumed; add any materials not specifically identified on your materials list.

In most cases the work you have done in assembling your materials list, and your experience in previous projects, will enable you to forecast the amount of any specific material that will be left after that material is used in your project. Identifying that amount will enable you to provide specific information necessary for your trash hauler to service your project.

ACTION – Annotate your copy of the materials list with the projected amounts of materials to be generated.

Coordinate recycling by project phase
As a project progresses, the focus of the activities will change. Different materials are generated at different phases of the project. Some phases will produce more waste, some less. Use your construction schedule or timeline to coordinate recycling by project phase and by trade. This will enable you to accurately predict what materials will be generated, and when. Knowing your schedule will help you and your haulers plan for efficient hauling of both recyclable and non-recyclable materials.

A fast-paced job could decrease the amount of materials recycled, since many activities will be happening simultaneously and site recovery efforts may be given a lower priority. Careful planning can help minimize this problem. Slower-paced jobs can decrease the rate of materials collection below that which is cost-effective. This problem can be minimized if there is space to store the materials on site.

ACTION — Copy or create a project timeline and annotate with dates when waste will be generated.

Determine what is cost-effective to recycle
Select several material types that are typically recycled, such as wood, cardboard, concrete, and metals. Although labor costs can be higher for recycling, this is often more than offset by the lower tipping fees, or reduced rates for roll-off boxes (sometimes free of charge). Determine the cost-effectiveness of recycling, by calculating each material’s cost per ton for recycling versus land filling by estimating labor costs, transportation costs, haulers' fees and tipping fees. Consider working with either your hauler, a professional full-service recycling contractor, or a waste management consultant to help you identify what types of materials can be cost-effectively recycled from your project. Each type of assistance requires different levels of builder involvement.

ACTION – Calculate each material’s cost per ton for recycling versus land filling by estimating labor costs, transportation costs, hauler’s fees and tipping fees.

Work with the haulers to plan collection
Most jobs have moderate to severe space constraints. Develop a plan to stage the job site for the most effective method for storing and collecting both recyclables and waste, positioning recycling bins at the most convenient location for the various trades to use. In some projects a specific area of the job site may be designated for specific activities. You may have a milling operation, or a paint shed which services the entire project. Or you may conduct similar operations at several sites. Identifying the physical locations that will produce certain materials will enable you to plan your recyclable materials recovery operations for optimum efficiency. Identify “peak generation” times early in the process. Determine what types of containers are available to collect the materials. Different containers may be needed at different phases of the project in coordination with the various trades.

ACTION—Copy or create a site plan and annotate with areas where materials will be generated.

Prepare the Site
Proper and prominent signs on recyclable and trash bins are a vital component in any onsite program. Small bins should be labeled by spray painting, postings self-stick signage, or by color-coding. Larger roll-offs should also be properly identified.

ACTION – Coordinate with your hauler(s) to develop a single “signs” plan and determine how and where bins and roll-offs are to be labeled. Coordinate trades and subcontractors to assure that all personnel are aware how, when and where to separate their “wastes” into appropriate categories.

Contact Commercial Haulers
In order for an on-site recycling program to be effective the project’s hauler should be involved from the beginning. Working with the hauler(s) to determine types and numbers of containers, pickup frequency, and materials to be collected is vital.
The most effective way to facilitate this process is to prepare a “Request for Bids” and distribute copies to all commercial haulers, including recycling only haulers. This will alert the haulers to the fact that you plan to implement an on-site recycling program. Be sure to crosscheck with your materials list and timeline to determine amounts of materials and timing for different materials.

ACTION – Prepare and mail a “Request for Bids” to all prospective haulers.

Get “buy in” up front
For the program to be successful, it is important to establish a high level of commitment from the contractor, subcontractor, cleanup personnel, and waste haulers up front. For a construction site program to work, all trades and subcontractor personnel must be informed, trained and motivated. Some contractors have waste management discussions as part of their prebid, preconstruction, and safety training meetings ("tailgate” meetings). Hold your subcontractors accountable for implementing the waste management plan outlined in the bid package. Provide a package of information on the recycling program to each new subcontractor when they come on board. Understanding how, and why, to avoid contamination, how to recognize and utilize single material containers, and the need to plan for and manage changes in standard operations, must be impressed on all project personnel.

Contamination is one of the major destroyers of recycling programs. Contamination occurs when any other material is introduced into a single material collection site. For example, if paint is deposited in a drywall container the load is contaminated and must be taken to the landfill. Something as simple as tossing lunch containers and bottles into the wrong bin can instantly turn valuable recyclable materials into costly trash.

ACTION – Provide all trades and subcontractors with written information of the scope and operations involved in your onsite program. Include site plans with receptacle locations; instruction on which materials go in special bins and which go in the trash bins; information on how to facilitate timely pickups. Present the program and materials at all project meetings.

Support, Report, and Modify
Once your project is underway it will still require some degree of promotion and support. The onsite-recycling program will, of necessity, involve many different individuals and organizations. Active and continuing support by management will be among the most important elements determining the project's success. Memos, signs and revisiting the scope and operation of the project at any and all meetings should be helpful. It is also important to solicit comments from the trades and subcontractor personnel involved. Often these individuals will have insights gained through actual experience that will enhance the operation of your program.

Reporting on the performance of the project, particularly as that performance relates to the project goals and projections, can help keep all involved up-to-date and motivated.

ACTION – Prepare and distribute regular reports; solicit verbal and written comments from all involved individuals and organizations; modify procedures and policies as feedback and data suggest.

Expect a learning curve and reward participation
When dealing with contractors and subcontractors, who are inexperienced with waste reduction and recycling practices, expect some errors and inefficiencies because of the learning curve. Set recycling goals that are realistic for personnel who are learning new skills. It's better for morale to exceed the goals than to miss them. Communicate the success of the program with subcontractors. Encourage everyone’s ideas and suggestions.

Monitor and track for quality control
One contaminated box can really add costs to a successful recycling program. It is helpful to track on a monthly basis the type, amount and cost of all materials being recycled or land filled from the job site. A simple tracking form can be used to develop a spreadsheet that gives you an up-to-date report that will identify how many clean dumpsters went off site for reuse and recycling and how many contaminated and costly dumpsters were taken to the landfill.
ACTION – Create and use a simple tracking form that gives up-to-date reporting of clean recycling dumpsters versus contaminated dumpsters.

Promote your success
Put out press releases on the success of your project. Clearly identify the job site with signs that tell the public you are reducing, reusing, and recycling your waste. Let the public know you are committed to being resource efficient.

ACTION - Put out a press release on your success. Identify job site with signs that tell the public you are recycling.

Waste Reduction

Dimensional Planning—Working with your Architect and Structural Engineer
The first area in which waste prevention techniques can be incorporated into the construction process is through dimensional planning. This requires forethought on the part of designers to ensure a building that creates less construction waste solely on its dimensions and structural design. Specifically, rooms can be designed in 4 foot multiples, since wallboard and plywood sheets come in 4- and 8-foot lengths. Furthermore, one dimension of a room can be designed in 6- or 12-foot multiples to correspond with the length of carpet and linoleum rolls. There will always be some exceptions that will prohibit a designer from adhering to standard sizes. At the very least, rooms should be designed whenever possible with 2-foot incremental dimensions.

Preconstruction Elements
Traditional residential construction still performs the majority of framing and finishing operations on site in phases. The preconstruction of some elements of the frame, such as trusses, has become more commonplace in larger developments. As acceptance of this practice becomes more widespread, along with more manufacturers preconstructing elements, greater portions of a residential construction project will occur off-site and be delivered to the job-site for assembly. The waste generated during the process is eliminated both at the construction site and the job site. When components are constructed at a factory, less waste is generated because the elements used are dimensionally equivalent to or close to measurements needed for the component being assembled. Furthermore, any waste that is generated is more likely to be recycled because of economies of scale and consolidation of the scraps.

Other resourceful building techniques
The elements involved in building a structure include such items as interior and exterior treatment, trim, flooring, roofing, coating, utilities, and finishes. With such a vast array of applications, there are undoubtedly far too many alternatives available for construction materials and techniques than could be addressed here. Alternative construction methods and materials, such as structural foam panels in lieu of wood studs and moveable interior walls, are often innovated in model or demonstration homes and are later incorporated into mainstream construction. Other ideas have been used in larger scales, such as: increasing spacing the joists and studs to reduce the amount of framing material required; the use of carpet tiles made from recycled plastics and decorative tile containing recycled glass; and the use of cutoff 2x wood waste reused for bridging, stakes, bracing, shims, drywall nailers, and blocking where interior walls run parallel to joists or trusses.

Source: CIWMB

Where To Go For More Information

Construction and Demolition Recycling Program. This fact sheet is a four-page summary of CIWMB programs and publications relevant to construction and demolition recycling. Pub #431-97-030. California Integrated Waste Management Board (CIWMB), 8800 Cal Center Dr, Sacramento, California, 95826. (916) 255-2296. www.ciwmb.ca.gov/ConDemo

Residential Construction Waste Management: A Builder’s Field Guide. This field guide provides builders with information on cost-effective and voluntary construction waste management. National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) Research Center, 400 Prince George’s Blvd, Upper Marlboro, Maryland, 20774. (301) 249-4000. www.nahbrc.com

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