Construction and Demolition Debris (C&D)
Analysis of C&D debris material shows that it is a mix of reusable or recyclable material wastes commonly generated during the construction of new homes and buildings, or the materials left after the demolition or "deconstruction" of old buildings and other structures.
A Wisconsin Waste Characterization Study report from May of 2003 done for the Department by Cascadia Consulting Group, Inc. shows that C&D wastes comprise 28.7 percent of the waste being landfilled in Wisconsin or more than 850 thousand tons per year. Of the 4.7 million tons of waste going to municipal solid waste landfills, C&D wastes, paper and organic materials (food wastes) comprised two thirds of the total.
Of the top 10 components in this waste stream, three are C&D debris items. Ranking number one is untreated wood followed by roofing shingles; third and last is a combination of rock, concrete and brick. Other common C&D waste stream components include treated woods, drywall, PVC, ceramics and porcelain, glass and metals.
Waste paints, solvents, sealers and adhesives commingled in C&D waste have greater potential for environmental impacts. These materials are specifically excluded from the definition for C&D waste under s.NR 500.03 (50) [exit DNR], Wisconsin Administrative Code.
Like other recycling efforts, there are more management options for C&D debris that isn't mixed with other waste materials. C&D debris consists primarily of asphalt, brick, concrete, glass, metal, drywall and wood, all having recycling potential. Brick and cement block can be recovered for reuse, but more often they are combined with concrete and asphalt and are crushed to form the base for roadbeds and driveways.
Excess unpainted and untreated wood lumber at construction sites can be recovered for reuse as dimensional lumber, but most often it is chipped for use in landscaping and composting. Metals can be marketed to scrap metal dealers.
Some firms specialize in systematically dismantling structures in order to recover materials in the best possible conditions. Architectural antiques are often recovered in this manner as well as ornamental stone work. New markets are under investigation for other materials including recycling carpet pad back into new pad, using clean gypsum wallboard as a soil amendment and using shingles in road patch material.
Development of alternative uses for C&D wastes may require initial Department evaluation under the solid waste processing facility requirements in s.NR 502.08 [exit DNR], Wisconsin Administrative Code.
C&D Materials Can Be Recycled
- Aluminum siding
- Architectural antiques
- Asphalt
- Brick/Masonry
- Carpet
- Carpet pad
- Concrete
- Gas pipe/Metal pipe
- Lumber
- Porcelain plumbing fixtures
- PVC pipe
- Site clearance vegetative woody debris
- Steel: structural or rebar
- Vinyl siding
- Wallboard/Drywall (gypsum)
C&D General Material Definitions
- Treated wood - lumber that is either green or brown treated
- Untreated wood - lumber that is not treated
- Rock, concrete, brick - Rock gravel, Portland cement mixtures (set or unset) and fireclay brick
- Gypsum wallboard - new or used gypsum wallboard scrap
- Roofing shingles - asphalt shingles and tarpaper off built-up roofing
- PVC - Construction and demolition materials made of polyvinyl chloride; primarily piping
- Ceramics/Porcelain - finished ceramic or porcelain household fixtures such as toilets, tiling and sinks
- Other C&D - all construction and demolition materials that don't fit categories above like insulation, linoleum, nails, adhesives, tubs, showers, cabinets and countertops
Regulations to Consider When Recycling C&D debris
C&D debris is a solid waste subject to the provisions in chs. NR 500 - 538, Wisconsin Administrative Codes. The key to managing C&D debris as a waste is to limit the mixing of materials. Section NR 500.08 (2)(a) [exit DNR], Wisconsin Administrative Code exempts the following C&D materials as clean fill provided the fill is not placed within a floodplain, wetland, surface water environment or critical habitat: brick, broken pavement, building stone, clean soil, concrete, reinforced concrete and unpainted or untreated wood.
For additional information and publications about materials please see Rethinking Debris [PDF 143KB].
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