CONSTRUCTION SITE RECYCLING ALSO MAKES ‘CENTS’

Some of the waste generated at construction sites can be diverted from the landfill entirely through recycling while another portion can be sent to the less expensive C&D section at Walker Mountain Landfill. The tipping fee at the C&D section is $ 23.10 per ton as opposed to $ 31.90 per ton in the regular part of the landfill. Construction and Demolition Waste is defined as: “waste building material and rubble resulting from construction, remodeling, repair, and demolition operations on pavements, houses, commercial buildings and other structures. Such wastes include, but are not limited to, asbestos containing waste, wood, bricks, metal, concrete, wall board, paper, cardboard, inert waste landfill material, and other non-putrescible wastes which have a low potential for groundwater contamination”.

The National Association of Home Builders Research Center indicates that, by volume, as much as 38% of construction site waste is cardboard and 4% metals – both of which are recyclable materials and neither of which need to go to any landfill. In fact, these materials could actually generate some revenue instead of becoming an operating expense. Good waste management practices can reduce your total disposal costs, help conserve natural resources and landfill space and cultivate a positive business identity.

You actually pay twice for materials wasted on your jobsites – once for the original purchase and again when the usable, or recyclable material is hauled off for disposal into the landfill. Although landfill fees are based on the weight of the material being dumped, site dumpsters are hauled when they are full, whether the material in the dumpster weighs 100 pounds or 1,000 pounds and you are charged a haul fee each time. You can keep the dumpster from filling up as fast by keeping your recyclables out of the trash dumpster.

Separated recyclables can be handled in several ways. With cardboard, you can 1) deliver them to a recycling facility and receive payment for it or 2) contact the Rome/Floyd Recycling Center to pick it up at your site for no charge or 3) contact a local waste hauler to place a special bin on your site for cardboard only. The metals can also be brought to the Recycling Center and even though there is no payment for them, you will not have to pay to have them hauled off as trash. Or you can contact local metal recyclers or waste haulers about placing a dedicated metal bin on the job site and possibly generate revenue from them.

For more information on good construction waste practices from the National Association of Home Builders Research Center and sources for “Green Building” methods, please visit the Recycling Center’s website at www.romefloydrecycles.org.

RECYCLING TOTALS (don’t include this part)

MAY 04 YTD 04

Recycling Center 490,806* 3,144,909*

Curbside 147,234* 760,406*

County Remotes 103,325* 586,120*

Paid to Public $1,849 $11,924

Revenues Earned $33,306 $206,661

Landfill

Cost Avoidance $10,838 $75,849

reported in pounds*