June 26, 2012
Successful C&D recycling, like other types of recycling, must make economic sense. Effective hauler contract negotiations and accurate record keeping are crucial.
In contract negotiations with a hauler or haulers it is essential that the following information be obtained:
- Tipping rates for landfill disposal;
- Processing fees for all recyclables to be collected;
- Distances to market/recyclers, as well as to the disposal site;
- Hauling costs for both recycling and waste; and
- Any revenue returns for material sales (including both reuse and recycling).
Put this data in a spreadsheet for easy comparison. Negotiating with the hauler may help get some materials hauled at no cost, in return for the hauler keeping revenues (such as metals and cardboard); some materials, such as clean wood can often be hauled at a lower rate. Apply avoided cost calculating—that is, calculate the costs of actually recycling a material vs. what it would have cost to dispose of the same material.
An easy formula for comparing recycling vs. waste disposal:
Number of trash dumpsters x haul rate x tip fee =
Compared to
Number of recycling bins x haul rate x processing costs =
Recordkeeping and Reporting
Whether applying for LEED credits or not, recordkeeping is an essential component of waste reduction, reuse, and recycling on the C&D jobsite. Knowing materials and costs are the only way to justify continued recycling efforts.
As mentioned above, it is essential that the jobsite hauler(s) provide written documentation of tonnages and hauls for both waste and recyclables. Also require a hauling log for subcontractors. Many subcontractors will take salvageable items and metals (especially copper) for recycling. This is common practice, but should be documented in order to keep track of all waste reduction and recycling on the job site.
WasteCap TRACE is an on-line documentation system for C&D recycling. It allows for easy tracking of recycled materials and information. Haulers can have ticket access to put in recycling weights or volumes. Pictures and additional information can be uploaded along with the tonnage records to generate reports. Outputs include monthly recycling rates, progress reports, and final reports.
C&D waste generation is an increasing concern for many in both the private and public sectors. The downturn in the economy has hit the construction industry particularly hard. Savings though waste reduction, reuse, and recycling on C&D job sites can have a positive impact on controlling costs.
NERC C&D Project
NERC is in its second year of a project on C&D source reduction, reuse, and recycling issues with building projects in New Hampshire, New Jersey and New York. With this EPA-funded grant, NERC worked with the City of New Haven Economic Development Office on a project that included training local contractors on how to deconstruct a single-family residence deemed for demolition. The project focused on expanding builder skills to help make them more employable in a tough economy, as well as on the impact of building materials reuse and recycling on the environment.
NERC's "Winning Bids and Gaining Customers through Waste Management: Minimizing Waste and Material Reuse and Recycling" aims to help contractors understand the important role that reuse and recycling plays in new construction and remodeling jobs, and provides detailed steps for incorporating reuse and recycling into each job.
Stay tuned for more updates on NERC's C&D project. For information on the project contact Mary Ann Remolador.
By Athena Lee Bradley
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