February 19, 2013
This article—describing the costs and benefits of recycling C&D—continues our blog series on laying out a "roadmap" for builders and contractors on moving towards zero waste for construction and demolition projects. Zero waste is a path that can lead to savings and profit. Zero waste does not actually mean "zero waste," as some think. Instead it is a goal and en route to that goal, great change and value can be achieved. And, contractors can realize cost reductions by following this path. Zero waste in construction and remodeling projects focuses on looking for opportunities:
- Generating less waste by using materials more efficiently – saves money;
- Reusing materials on site, or selling or donating them to someone else for reuse – cost containment, potential revenues or tax benefits; and
- Recycling whenever possible – might save you money and could even bring in revenue.
Zero waste in construction and remodeling is a win-win proposition, and not as hard to do as you might think.
Maximizing the Value of Recycling
In addition to helping you to identify the type of recycling services available, your hauler and/or the company you work with to recycle materials will have advice about how best to manage the materials on the jobsite. An important question is whether to "source separate" or "commingle" your recyclables. Source separated means that specific materials are put into designated containers; and only those materials. Examples might be only wallboard, or only plastic sheeting. Commingled is when more than one material type is put into the same container.
For example, concrete and bricks in the same container is an example of commingled. Chart 1 provides an overview of the primary advantages and disadvantages of each method.
Chart 1: Advantages & Disadvantages of Source Separated & Commingled Recycling
Source Separated Materials
Advantages:
- Higher recycling rate
- Higher quality and valued material
- Materials ready to go directly to market
- Potential revenue
- Cleaner, safer work environment
- Report includes tonnage of each material recycled
Disadvantages:
- Multiple containers on site
- Jobsite workers separate materials on site
- Multiple markets
- More information to manage
- Likely to cost more – hauler, equipment, staff
Commingled Materials for Recycling
Advantages:
- Only two containers on site (trash and recyclables)
- Less information to manage
- Workers don't need to separate material
Disadvantages:
- Lower recycling rates
- Lower quality and less valued material
- Less revenue for recyclables
- Dependent on availability of facility that separates materials
- Tonnage reports are for mixed recyclables
Note that some materials only have recycling outlets when they are source separated—for example wallboard and carpet—and many materials must be kept dry. These include wallboard, carpet, and paper.
Calculating the Cost Effectiveness of Recycling
When considering if recycling materials from the jobsite makes financial sense, it is possible to estimate the cost of recycling versus the cost of disposal in a few simple steps.
Step 1. Determine if the recyclable materials will be source separated or commingled in one dumpster.
Step 2. Estimate the tons of each waste material to be generated at the jobsite.
Step 3. Convert the material tonnages to volume so that an estimate of dumpster size and the number of dumpsters can be estimated. Haulers/recycling companies will be able to provide the conversion rates for each material type they handle. For example, a 30-yard dumpster will be needed for cardboard at a jobsite. It is estimated that the 30 tons of cardboard to be generated will require the dumpster to be emptied 20 times.
Step 4. Calculate the cost of recycling each material type:
Cost of recycling =
(Number of dumpsters x the haul rate (also known as the pull rate)) + (the total tons of material x the tipping fee charged per ton of material)
In many communities, especially in the northeast, the hauling and tipping fees for recyclables is far less than disposal costs, and for materials like cardboard, there may be no tipping fee at all.
The chart below provides an example of calculating the cost for recycling cardboard.
Cardboard Recycling
Dumpster Size = 30 yard
Anticipated Number of Dumpsters = 20
Haul Rate (Pull Rate) = $150
Tipping Fee per Ton of Material = $0
Material (Tons) = 30
Total Recycling Cost [(20*$150)+(30*$0)] = $3,000
Step 5. Compare the cost of recycling to disposal to determine the cost effectiveness of recycling each C&D material. The same formula is used, but the costs are for disposal, rather than recycling. In the example provided, the cost of disposing the cardboard is more than four times the cost of recycling it.
Cost of disposal =
(Number of dumpsters x the haul rate (also known as the pull rate)) + (the total tons of material x the tipping fee charged per ton of material)
Cardboard Disposal
Dumpster Size = 30 yard
Anticipated Number of Dumpsters = 20
Haul Rate (Pull Rate) = $350
Tipping Fee per Ton of Material = $175
Material (Tons) = 30
Total Recycling Cost [(20*$150)+(30*$0)]= $12,250
Total Disposal Fee = $12,250 Total Recycling Fee = $3,000
By calculating and reviewing the recycling cost for each material to be generated, you may identify opportunities to save a substantial amount of money on disposal.
NERC's new Moving towards Zero Waste & Cost Savings –A Roadmap for Builders & Contractors for Construction & Demolition Projects offers a detailed roadmap toward "zero waste."
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