Page 372 - Solid Waste Analysis and Minimization a Systems Approach

350 CONSTRUCTION APPLICATIONS

The construction team may also consider donating or reselling reusable materials.
Many materials can be salvaged from demolition and renovation sites and sold or
donated. By selling or donating unwanted reusable materials, contractors can avoid
disposal costs.
Many construction and demolition wastes can be recycled into new materials. Keep
in mind that local recycling options vary across United States. You can obtain informa-
tion about recycling opportunities in your project area from municipal solid waste man-
agers, regional offices of state solid waste management agencies, and waste haulers. In
addition, the construction team can make an effort to buy recycled-content construction
materials. To help expand markets for recyclable materials, it is important to buy build-
ing supplies that contain recycled materials. Some of these materials have been used for
years by the construction industry, but they have not been advertised as recycled. There
are also many new recycled-content building materials of which you may not be aware.

24.6 Implementation and Approach

In implementing solid waste minimization strategies, the first step is to identify con-
struction haulers and recyclers to handle the designated materials. They often serve as
valuable partners in the process. Make sure jobsite personnel understand and participate
in the program, with updates throughout the construction process. Obtain and retain ver-
ification records (waste hauler receipts and waste management reports) to confirm that
diverted materials have been recycled or diverted as intended. Note that diversions may
include donations to charitable organizations such as Habitat for Humanity.
The following are options for potentially reducing the amount of waste generated
by manufacturing concrete slabs. Many of these options will require further investi-
gation to determine if they are feasible:

Use as rip rap—Broken concrete is used to stabilize banks and shores of creeks and
small rivers. The U.S. Department of Transportation or local Park Services should
be contacted to determine if there is a need for this material. One major drawback
to this option is the need for the concrete to be ground into baseball- or softball-
sized rocks to be useful as riprap.

Landscape—Local landscape companies may be able to use this material in their
landscaping jobs. It is doubtful that there would be enough demand for the broken
concrete to be able to use all that is currently being generated.

Other concrete recyclers—Other concrete recycling companies were contacted but
none could offer a better price than the $90 per ton currently being charged for land-
fill disposal.

Sand from the sand blasting operation is generated on the order of over 1600 tons
per year. Although this material is relatively inexpensive (about $0.04 per pound) and
is recycled for free, there are other alternatives that may be more cost-effective.