Construction and demolition (C&D) waste is one of the largest waste streams produced in the United States, during which concrete, wood bricks gypsum glass plastics comprises a large portion.

As of 2018, the U.S. generated about 600 million tons of basecamp Construction & Demolition (C&D) from building demolition operations and construction projects, representing over twice as much coverage that annual municipal solid waste production is responsible for each year according to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

The management of this waste stream has been one of the major concern for environmentalist cause it may lead to environment impact, lost electricity generation & natural resources and higher land fil capacity. C&D waste legislation in the US is both federal, state and local driven, with numerous regulations going all around recycling, landfilling or reduction of C&D waste.

State and Federal Regulations

At the national level, C&D waste management is mostly regulated by the RCRA (Resource Conservation and Recovery Act), enacted in 1976. The RCRA created a cradle-to-grave system for managing hazardous and non-hazardous solid wastes, including waste from construction activities. However, C&D waste is generally considered non-hazardous and so it falls under the purview of less strict federal regulation that hazardous waste does.

The EPA issues regulations and guidance under RCRA for C&D waste management, but the actual policies in place are managed by state and local governments. The EPA role includes efforts to promote best practices for waste reduction and recycling, as well as developmental of technical assistance and grant programs in support on state and local ease initiatives.

One of the most important federal initiatives involving C&D wastes concerns a Federal Green Construction Guide for Specifiers; this provides instructions on how green principles apply to constructing projects, such as waste management strategies. The EPA also supports the Sustainable Materials Management (SMM) Program, which promotes sustainable materials and practices in construction, as well as demolition to minimize environmental impacts of building activities.

State-Level Legislation

In C&D waste, state governments play a more direct role with widely varying laws and regulations. Federal guidelines are in turn enhanced by program mandates for waste diversion, recycling and landfill management which have been passed into law via legislation at the state level for most states.

California

California remains C&D waste management goal leader around the country and has some tough regulations for reducing landfilling of wastes. Enacted in 2011, the California Green Building Standards Code (CALGreen), requires that a minimum of at least 65% of C&D waste generated from new construction and major renovations be diverted through recycling or reuse. It allows higher diversion rates in California where some cities are working toward zero waste goals by requiring additional sorting or other processing.

In California, these regulations are enforced through the state’s California Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery (CalRecycle), which offers information for contractors and builders to help them comply with diversion requirements. CalRecycle also administers grant and incentive programs to promote recycling of C&D waste, including development of facilities for processing these materials.

Georgia

The C&D waste management policies of Georgia are just as progressive. The Solid Waste Master Plan for the state prescribed lofty targets for landfill diversion of C&D materials. For example, Georgia reportedly has waste bans on certain C&D materials (asphalt pavement, brick and concrete), which must be recycled rather than landfilled.

As such, the state oversees regulations regarding construction and demolition (C&D) waste management practices in Georgia, ensuring the Construction Industry plays a key role in protecting our environment. The state also provides assistance, resources and guidance for businesses to create a C&D waste management plan.

Texas

In Texas, management of C&D waste is largely regulated at the local level, with Austin and Houston being some examples. In Austin, a Construction and Demolition Recycling Ordinance mandates builders to recycle at least 50% of their C&D waste from going into the landfills. The city also has a special carrot for builders that achieves higher diversion: incentives – and resources to help them meet the ordinance.

Municipal and Other Permitting or Incentive Requirements

C&D waste is usually managed by local governments – especially in areas with a lot of construction such as urban regions. Municipalities all through the United States have instituted a few mandates and rewards for squander decrease, reuse however reusing.

New York City

In its ongoing efforts to achieve zero waste by 2030, New York City has implemented a number of programs and policies designed to reduce C&D waste. Specific construction projects must in addition file waste management plans and report on recycling efforts under the city’s Construction and Demolition Waste Recycling Program. The city will also provide contractors with technical assistance and resources to comply with these requirements.

Seattle

Seattle approaches C&D waste management from a fairly comprehensive perspective, offering mandatory recycling requirements for specific materials (e.g., concrete, asphalt, bricks and metal). In response, the city’s Construction and Demolition Ordinance mandates that projects must divert at least 70% of their C&D waste from landfills while enacting a certification program for recycling facilities under which they are required to achieve these benchmarks.

Incentive Programs

Many cities have mandates and incentives in place to promote the reduction or recycling of C&D waste As an example, San Francisco offers financial incentives for waste diversion and Portland, OR gives decreased permitting fees to projects that use sustainable building practices (including C&D management).

Unresolved Issues and Future Directions

While legislative and regulatory action have made strides in improving C&D waste management, there are considerable hurdles remaining. Unfortunately, differences in regulations from state to state and even from city to county has created an environment of confusion for contractors working across multiple jurisdictions. When it comes to recycling and processing C&D waste, the infrastructure is not equally distributed throughout the U.S., as some areas just do not have enough facilities or capacity in order for them to absorb all of this generated volume.

In the future, there will be more of an effort to design buildings that can be disassembled and materials recovered in a circular economy approach. Policymakers are has realized that building construction is a widespread influenced sector and the lack of sustainability in it can be reduced by adopting sustainable construction policies. In addition, improvements in technology (e.g., automated sorting and material recovery systems) are likely to promote greater efficiencies during the C&D waste management process.

Construction and demolition waste legislation is a complex maze of federal, state, local laws in the U.S. that continue to evolve over time. Even though the federal government provides general directives and support, state or local municipalities are often more heavily regulated on this large waste stream. As cities and the planet continue to urbanize, sustainability in C&D waste likely will only grow more important with ever stricture enforcement of regulations demanding it helping drive increased innovation around landfills or permitted facilities.