Construction and Demolition
Construction and demolition (C&D) debris consists of the waste generated during construction, renovation and demolition projects. Waste is generated every time a building, road, or bridge is constructed, remodeled or demolished. C&D waste often contains bulky, heavy materials, including concrete, wood, asphalt, gypsum, metals, bricks and plastics. C&D debris also includes salvaged building components such as doors, windows, and plumbing fixtures. The majority of C&D waste (approximately 92%) comes from building demolition and renovation, and the remainder comes from new construction.
There are multiple factors to be aware of before, during and after C&D:
Commercial Recycling for Construction
Mercury — The EPA has created a fact sheet called Before You Tear it Down, Get the Mercury Out. This collection of information concerns demolition processes and Mercury. It can be very useful when renovating or demolition plans are ahead of you to ensure that you will be safe and free of potential Mercury exposure.
Reclaiming Old Wood — There are a number of businesses in Montana that use wood from C&D for recycling and use. The Montana Guide for Buying Recycled Products provides contact information about what businesses take wood that is leftover from C&D processes.
This article, A Building Renewed: At The Factory, dental tool maker recycled into condominiums, from the Missoulian gives an example of how construction and demolition materials can be used in new projects.
