Construction Waste Management Guide

for Architects, Designers, Developers, Facility

Managers, Owners, Property Managers &
Specification Writers

Table of Contents
What is construction waste?. .. 1
Why prevent waste and recycle?... 2
What is your role in the process?.. 3
How can you prevent waste from construction?.. 4
How can you salvage and reuse building materials?.. 4
How can you recycle construction materials?.. 9
Resources 13
Appendices
Appendix A
Construction Works program 15
Appendix B
Construction Waste Management Specification 017419 [01524].. 16
Third edition
September 2005
Resource Venture
Provides free environmental consulting services to Seattle-area businesses.
We help companies lower their utility costs, obtain rebates, comply with
regulations and receive public recognition, all while protecting the environment.
Since 1990, the Resource Venture has helped thousands of businesses
recycle, use less water, prevent stormwater pollution and build sustainably.
We are a program of the Greater Seattle Chamber of Commerce, in
partnership with Seattle Public Utilities.
www.resourceventure.org
[email protected]
(206) 389-7304
1301 5th Ave., Suite 2500
Seattle, WA 98101
Thanks to the Portland Metro Solid Waste & Recycling Division for providing some of the
content in this guide.

What is construction waste?

Construction, demolition and landclearing debris (CDL) is all non-hazardous solid waste
resulting from construction, demolition and landclearing (CDL) activities. CDL waste materials
that can be salvaged, reused or recycled include, but are not limited to, the following:
Acoustical ceiling tiles
Asphalt
Asphalt shingles
Bricks
Cardboard
Carpet and pad
Concrete
Dirt

Drywall
Fluorescent lights &
ballasts
Insulation
Landclearing debris
Metals
Paint
Porcelain

Wood
Plastic film from packaging
Window glass
Wood
Field office waste (paper,
cans, glass & plastic
bottles, cardboard)

The Puget Sound area has many recycling companies for all of these materials. For a list of
recyclers, see the Construction Recycling Directory in the Resources section.
Throughout this guide, we use the term waste reduction to define waste management
practices that will result in less waste going to the landfill. These practices include: waste
prevention, salvage, deconstruction and recycling. This guide will explain what these practices
are and how to incorporate them into your projects.

Amount of Waste from Construction

Several studies have been conducted on the amount of recyclable waste
generated on commercial and multi-family residential construction
projects.
Construction of a 5,000-square foot restaurant generated 12,344 pounds
of waste, or 2.46 pounds per square foot. This waste included the
following recyclable materials:
Wood 7,440 pounds
Cardboard 1,414 pounds
Gypsum wallboard 500 pounds
Construction of a 17-unit apartment complex using pre-cut lumber
packages resulted in 28,434 pounds of waste, or 2 pounds per square
foot. This waste included the following recyclable materials:
Wood 16,169 pounds
Cardboard 917 pounds
Gypsum wallboard 6,997 pounds
(Source: Characterization of Construction Site Waste (1993), Metro Solid
Waste Department Portland, OR.)

Why prevent waste and recycle?

Reduce Costs
Recycling, reusing salvaged building materials and minimizing materials and packaging reduces
your waste disposal costs and material expenses.
Marketing Opportunity
Your companys experience in waste prevention and recycling can be an essential marketing
tool to the growing number of potential clients interested in participating in the LEED and
BUILT GREEN green building programs.
LEED and BUILT GREEN Certification
Your efforts to prevent waste, reuse salvaged materials and recycle materials on a project can
help the project team earn points toward qualifying for these green building certification
programs:
LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) is a nationally recognized green
building rating program sponsored by the U.S. Green Building Council. LEED awards a
project one, two or three points for achieving a 50%, 75% or 90% recycling rate respectively.
A project can also earn one or two points for using salvaged, refurbished or reused
materials for 5% or 10% of building materials respectively. For more information, visit
www.usgbc.org.

BUILT GREEN is a local residential green building rating program sponsored by the
Master Builders Association of King & Snohomish Counties. BUILT GREEN awards a
project ten points for achieving a 60% recycling rate. Up to an additional 39 points can be
achieved for recycling specific materials, 11 points can be earned for waste reduction
activities and 12 points for reusing materials. For more information, visit www.builtgreen.net

Tax Deduction
When you hire a deconstruction service to remove reusable building materials, the client can
take a tax deduction when they donate the materials to a nonprofit organization.
Reduce the Buildings Environmental Impact
Preventing and recycling wastes:
reduces depletion of natural resources such as trees, oil and minerals.
creates less pollution by reducing manufacturing and transportation-related emissions.
uses less energy and water compared to many virgin material product manufacturing
processes.
reduces greenhouse gasses by using less energy for manufacturing and transportation.

Whats your role in the process?

Facility managers, property owners and managers and developers
As a property owner, property manager or developer, you are in the best position to create a
successful waste reduction program for a project.

Establish requirements for waste reduction. Begin with making waste reduction a
priority from the start of the project and planning for it throughout all phases of design,
construction, installation, and occupancy.

Set goals. Set specific waste reduction goals for each project and assemble a team of
qualified professionals experienced in environmentally sound design and construction
practices. Include these goals and requirements for experience in requests for proposals
and other contract documents. Identify materials that can be salvaged and reused.

Monitor and support the program. Monitor the progress of waste reduction efforts by
requiring contractors to submit the waste management plan and waste management
progress reports. Support these efforts by identifying locations to collect and store
recyclables on-site.

Architects, designers and specification writers

Identify opportunities for waste reduction. Work with owners and developers to identify
opportunities for waste reduction and public relation benefits.

Select a contractor with proven waste reduction experience. An experienced

contractor will keep the bid the same or may even lower the bid. If the contractor is
inexperienced, they may increase the bid.

Use a Construction Waste Management Specification. A Construction Waste

Management Specification written with legally enforceable language is your most effective
tool to ensure waste reduction happens successfully on your project.

Monitor the waste reduction program. The architect and designer play an important role
in assuring the contractors compliance with the waste reduction program by requiring and
reviewing waste management progress reports and invoices from recycling and garbage
haulers and recycling facilities. Monitor the success of the program and potential barriers by
including a discussion about the waste reduction program during the project meetings.

Approximately 92% of all C&D waste is from renovation and demolition.

The biggest opportunities for waste reduction come from remodeling, demolishing and
renovating commercial, institutional and multi-family projects and tenant improvement
projects.
Source: US EPA, 1998

There are three strategies to reduce a projects waste and this is the order in which you want to
address them:
1. Reduce. Look for ways waste can be prevented in the first place by identifying potential
wastes early in the design process.
2. Reuse. After figuring out how to prevent waste, you want to identify waste that can be
salvaged for reuse on your current project, on another project or donated.
3. Recycle. Lastly, figure out which waste materials can be recycled.

How can you prevent waste from construction?

Waste prevention is more beneficial than recycling. Why? Identifying potential waste early in
the design process decreases waste generated during construction. If you dont create waste,
you dont have to plan how to reuse or recycle it.

Design with standard sizes for all building materials. This avoids creating waste when
standard sized materials are cut to unusual lengths.

Design spaces to be flexible and adaptable to changing uses. This avoids creating
waste during remodels.

Design for deconstruction. Some of the principles include: the dis-entanglement of

systems, materials bolted together instead of glued, a construction and deconstruction
blueprint, built-in tie-offs and connection points for workers and machinery, no hazardous
materials and highly recyclable materials. For more information, read the paper Design for
Deconstruction and Materials Reuse in the Resources section.

How can you salvage and reuse building materials?

To choose the best option for managing a projects waste, consider the value of the various
materials. For instance, there may be materials on a project that have a greater value as is for
salvage compared to their value as material for recycling. Some of these materials may be
valuable to reuse on-site; others may be donated or sold to a used building material retailer or
charitable organization. The initial costs for deconstruction services may be offset by returns
from salvaged materials or reduced purchasing costs. Some deconstruction services also may
give a tax deduction for materials that are donated.
In some cases, reused materials may also provide functional or aesthetic features not available
in new materials. For example, salvaged wood is often of a quality and a variety of species that
is difficult to find in the market place. Refer to the Construction Recycling Directory for a list of
salvaged and used building material outlets, available from the Resource Venture, see the
Resources section.
There are two ways to recover materials for salvage and reuse: Deconstruct the building or
conduct a selective salvage operation prior to demolition. Deconstruction involves the careful
dismantling of a whole structure in reverse order of assembly, usually by hand, to re-harvest
materials for reuse. Salvage is the removal of certain valuable reusable building materials
before demolition.

Deconstruction
For demolition projects that involve removing a large portion of a structure or an entire building,
deconstruction may be the best option. Deconstruction is a specific type of demolition work that
is growing in popularity and that poses the greatest potential for waste recovery on a wide range
of construction projects. Deconstruction contractors take apart the entire structure, separating
out resources that can be salvaged, recycled or reused. Although the early efforts of
deconstruction contractors focused on residential projects, a growing number of commercial
projects are now being deconstructed.
The feasibility and cost-effectiveness of deconstruction is determined by how the building was
constructed and what building materials were used. Deconstruction can be used in most woodframe and some metal-frame buildings. The building components, their condition and the
manner in which they are secured to the structure can affect the cost-effectiveness of salvaged
materials.
Another factor to consider is whether site conditions allow for mechanical versus demolition by
hand, which will add labor costs. To be cost-competitive with conventional demolition, the added
costs of deconstruction (primarily, the extra labor of disassembly and removal) must be offset by
the value of the salvaged building material and the avoided cost of disposal. For more
information, see the Guide to Deconstruction in the Resources section.
The following are tips for making deconstruction happen:
Review the Yes-No list of materials that are desirable for reuse for what you have to offer
from your project. See page 6.

Call a salvage company to assess your building. It may not look like much to you, but youll
be surprised by what still has value in the reuse market. Of course, truckload quantities are
most desirable, but even a single cabinet may be worth a pick up. See the Construction
Recycling Directory for a list of salvage companies.

Do call at least two weeks before the project start date (bidders need to schedule an on-site
evaluation, complete their responses, and schedule crews to do the work). If you can call
earlier, salvage crews may be able to save you time by doing some work before demolition
planning is finalized.

Keep the scheduler up to date about any changes.

Complete any environmental work in advance, such as asbestos tests and abatement.

Include a Deconstruction Specification in your bid package. Section 024293 [01736]

specifies deconstruction and removal of selected portions of or an entire building for
salvage. Written in CSI Sectionformat, this specification is appropriate for all building types.
Contact the Resource Venture ([email protected] or 206-389-7304) to receive the
Deconstruction Specification as an electronic Microsoft Word document.

YES BUILDING MATERIALS COMMONLY

NO SORRY, GENERALLY NOT
REUSED
ACCEPTABLE
Architectural features
Appliances older than 5 years
Banisters
Ceiling fans
Bath fixtures
Commercial 200 volt electric equipment
Bathtubs (mainly white or neutral color)
Commercial bath fixtures
Bath vanities
Commercial ducting and vent covers
Bookcases, files, library shelves
Commercial flashing
Brick and paving stones
Commercial shelving missing parts
Cabinetrywood
CountertopsL-shaped or dated colors
Claw-foot or antique tubs
Doorsdamaged, commercial or hollow
Columns, pillars, and posts
Electric baseboard heaters
Concrete blocks and products
Fireplace doors
Corbels
Fluorescent light fixtures, bulbs
Countertops, straight, neutral colors
Gutters: leaking, rotted
Displays and display fixtures
Mini-blinds
Doors, especially solid wood doors
Open bags of cement, mortar, drywall mud
Doors, patio and French door sets
Room dividers missing parts
Electrical and HVAC supplies
Shower doors, except high-end
Faucets and plumbing fixtures
Sinkswall hung, cultured marble, dated
colors
Fencing
Flooringcarpet and vinyl (new)
Tile with heavy grout
Flooringwood
Used carpet
Glass, sheet and plexiglass (min. 4 sf)
Windowsaluminum
Gutters
Wood: shorter than 4, rotten/bug-damaged,
contaminated or nailed
Hinges and other hardware
Insulation, new or gently used
Wood-burning equipment, unless antique
Kitchen cabinet sets
Kitchen fixtures
Lighting fixtures
Lockers
Lumber (clean, denailed, min. 4 ft long)
Mirrors and mirror tiles
OSB and masonite
Plywood and chipboard
Radiators and registers
Roof tiles
Sandstone
Shelving and racking
Siding and shutters
Sinkskitchen/bath (no chips), utility/lab
Slate, granite and marble
Stained glass
Store fixtures
Tile (most types and quantities)
Tile board
Toilets (low flow, pre-40s, no cracks)
Trim and molding
Tubs (mainly white or neutral color)
Windowswood and vinyl, especially newer
energy-efficient windows
Wood beams
Source: The Guide to Used Building Materials Washington State

Salvage
Salvage is the removal of reusable building materials before demolition. In many cases, it may
not be feasible or cost-effective to fully deconstruct a building, but there may be materials on a
project that can be salvaged instead of recycled or discarded. This is also a very good costsaving strategy for a remodeling or tenant improvement project. Most demolition contractors are
practicing some level of salvage on selected buildings. In many cases, demolition contractors
will sub-contract with deconstruction contractors or specialty sub-contractors to conduct salvage
operations before demolishing specific components or materials.

Strategies for reusing and salvaging building materials:

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.

Assess the potential

Establish goals
Identify materials
Develop specification language
Allow adequate time
Remove barriers to salvage
Require a plan
Communicate the plan

1. Assess the potential

Advanced planning for deconstruction or salvage before demolition is crucial for success.
Conduct a walk-through with the owners representative and a deconstruction contractor
to determine the feasibility and level of salvage possible. Identify materials and job
phases where recovery, recycling and salvage opportunities are the greatest. The walkthrough also can identify materials that could be salvaged and reused on-site. Contact
the Resource Venture for a list of deconstruction companies.

To compare costs, require estimates for full deconstruction of the structure, targeted
salvage prior to demolition, and traditional demolition.

Based on the walk-through and cost comparison, determine if full deconstruction of the
structure is an option or if salvage prior to demolition would be more effective.

2. Establish goals
Establish goals for deconstruction salvage and recycling and include these goals in
specifications. For an example goal, see the Performance Requirements section of the
sample Construction Waste Management Specification in the Appendix.
3. Identify materials
Based on the walk-through, develop a list of materials to be salvaged.

Identify materials to be reused on-site. For materials that will be sold or donated off-site,
contact salvage companies that accept reused building materials.

4. Use specification language

Use specification language in the construction waste management spec to address
deconstruction or salvage prior to demolition. The language should include goals or
measurable standards for the level of salvage and/or a list of materials to be salvaged.
See the Appendix for a sample Construction Waste Management Specification.
5. Allow adequate time
Deconstruction and salvage prior to demolition are usually more time-consuming than
traditional demolition. It is important that sufficient time is allowed to dismantle the building
or to salvage reusable items before demolition.
Determine in advance how much time is available to complete the demolition phase of
the project. The bid and contract process is the best place to assure that adequate time
is available. Contracting mechanisms include decoupling demolition from the
design/build phase of construction contracts. The demolition aspect of the project can be
delayed while the terms of the larger design/build agreement are worked out, thus
allowing time for deconstruction and salvage prior to completing demolition.

Other alternatives to ensure enough time to complete deconstruction and salvage

include issuing an early notice to proceed for the demolition phase of the project or
creating a separate request for proposal or bid and contract for deconstruction and
demolition.

6. Remove barriers to salvage

It also is important for the architect to identify and remove barriers to salvage and reuse
by eliminating language in contracts that prohibit rather than control activities such as
on-site salvage, storage of salvaged materials, or processing operations that might
create noise pollution like on-site concrete crushing.
7. Require a plan
Require the contractor to develop a reuse and salvage plan as part of the waste
management plan for the project by including this requirement in the specification
language.

The reuse and salvage plan should include a list of items being reused in place or
elsewhere on-site; a list of items for reuse off-site through salvage, resale or donation; a
plan for protecting, dismantling, handling, storing and transporting the reused items; and
a communications plan describing the salvage plan to all players.

8. Communicate the priorities

Require the contractor to provide clear and consistent communication at the job site to
be sure the crew is informed of the salvage plans, procedures and expectations.

Careful removal and handling of the reuse and salvage materials is crucial to their
usability and marketability - the key to success is communicating the priorities, making
detailed plans and carefully monitoring the progress to insure success.

How can you recycle construction materials?

After all the options to prevent waste, salvage and reuse materials have been incorporated into
the project, the next step is to recycle as much of the remaining debris as possible. Recycling
construction materials saves money by cutting disposal costs. It reduces waste going to the
landfill, facilitates a cleaner and safer construction site, and improves community relations.
There are four types of facilities where CDL waste is processed:
Landfills The least desirable method of waste disposal is at a landfill, where waste is buried.
Transfer stations A transfer station is a facility where waste is moved from collection vehicles
to larger trucks for longer distance transport to a landfill, source-separated recycling facility or
material recovery facility.
Contractors can self-haul their waste to the City of Seattles transfer stations in South Park and
Wallingford. Source-separated wood, metal, cardboard and land-clearing are transferred to
larger trucks for transport to recyclers.
Material recovery facilities (MRFs) Material recovery facility (MRF) is the general term
used to describe a waste-sorting facility where a variety of co-mingled CDL materials are sorted
for recycling. At a MRF, a combination of mechanical and hand-separation procedures are used
to sort co-mingled recyclables such as wood, cardboard and metals.
We have three MRFs in the Puget Sound area. Recovery 1 in Tacoma is a locally owned MRF
that only sorts co-mingled CDL. A virtual tour of how they sort co-mingled material is on their
web site at www.recovery1.com. Waste Management sorts co-mingled CDL at their south
Seattle and Woodinville facilities.
Source-separated recycling facilities These recycling facilities take a wide variety of
materials that have been separated at the job site for recycling (i.e., cardboard, wood, metal,
drywall). They are the most inexpensive disposal option. Depending on the type and quantity,
some may even pay for the material. The majority of companies listed in the Construction
Recycling Directory are source-separated recycling facilities.

Donated materials = tax savings!

Crews from The RE Store deconstructed a home in Magnolia, saving more than a ton of OSB
sheathing, 3 tons of dimensional lumber and 16 tons of rare clinker bricks. They also recovered
more than a dozens energy-efficient windows, kitchen cabinets, and fixtures. The owner
received a tax receipt for more than $11,000 of donated materials.
Source: The Guide to Used Building Materials Washington State

There are 2 methods of recycling waste:

Source-Separated Recycling: Recyclable CDL materials are collected in separate drop boxes
as they are generated. The recycling hauler takes the materials directly to a recycling facility or
a transfer station that accepts source-separated materials for recycling. Especially suited for
new construction. Can also be used for a remodel or renovation.
Co-mingled Recycling: Recyclable CDL materials are collected in one drop box as they are
generated. The recycling hauler takes the materials to a material recovery facility where they
are sorted for recycling. Recovery 1 and Waste Management recycle a different subset of CDL
materials depending on the capabilities of their facility. All three MRFs recycle wood, metal and
cardboard. Visit their Web sites or call them directly to find out what other CDL materials they
recycle. Especially suited for demolition, remodel or renovation. Can also be used for new
construction.
Pros and Cons of Source-Separated and Co-mingled Recycling

Source-separated recycling facilities have a 99.9% recycling rate.

The recycling rate at co-mingled facilities varies between 12% and 99%. Before you choose
which facility to have your co-mingled CDL hauled, go to King Countys Web site to find out
how much material is getting recycled
www.metrokc.gov/dnrp/swd/construction-recycling/comingled.asp#rates.

An extra step is involved to calculate a projects recycling rate when co-mingled recycling is
used because the amount recycled is less than 100%.

Source-separated recycling facilities are the most inexpensive option as they have the
lowest tip fees, they take some materials for free and they pay for some materials.

More administrative time is required on the job site to educate crew and sub-contractors on
which materials to put in which containers; however, most contractors say that the cost of
this administrative time is usually offset by the revenue generated by the material or the
avoided cost of other disposal options.

Recycling Rate % =

Recycled Waste [tons]

Recycled Waste + Garbage [tons]

10

Strategies for recycling building materials:

1.
2.
3.
4.

Set a goal
Select a contractor with proven recycling experience
Use a Construction Waste Management Specification
Monitor the waste reduction program

1. Set a goal
Set a waste reduction goal for the project that establishes a minimum level of
performance required. Write this goal in the Performance Requirements section of the
Construction Waste Management Specification. For example, the goal may be to Divert
a minimum of 75 percent CDL waste, by weight or volume, from the landfill by one, or a
combination of the following activities: salvage, reuse, source-separated or co-mingled
CDL recycling. The goal also may include using recycled or salvaged building materials.
2. Select a contractor with proven recycling experience
Include a requirement for proven waste reduction experience in requests for proposals
and as part of pre-qualification for potential contractors. Determine if they have a track
record of past performance by looking at the waste management plans and
documentation verifying the recycling rate on past projects.

Construction companies who are members of the U.S. Green Building Council, the
BUILT GREEN program of the Master Builders Association or the Northwest EcoBuilding
Guild are probably experienced in waste reduction.

Ask the construction companies if they have ever been a member of the Construction
Works program of Seattle/ King County. Job-sites enrolled in this program receive a one
year membership publicizing their achievements to meet the programs requirements for
waste reduction, recycling and educating employees, vendors and the public. You can
learn more about the requirements on page 15.

3. Use a Construction Waste Management Specification

A Construction Waste Management Specification written with legally enforceable language
is your most effective tool to ensure waste reduction happens successfully on your project.
See the Appendix for a sample Construction Waste Management Specification. You can
download the specification as a Microsoft Word document, which you can modify to suit your
project. Go to the Resource Ventures Web site
www.resourceventure.org/rv/issues/building/publications/index.php.
What to include:
Specify the co-mingled recycling facility. Require that if co-mingled recycling is
used that the materials are hauled to a material recovery facility with a high recycling
rate that you have specified. King County gives the facility recycling rates on their
Web site at www.metrokc.gov/dnrp/swd/construction-recycling/comingled.asp#rates.

11

Require a construction waste management plan. See the sample plan on page
21. Require that the plan your contractor submits includes all of these action items:

Restates the projects waste reduction goal

Designates a recycling coordinator responsible for implementing the plan

Identifies the waste materials expected, their disposal method and

handling procedures
Defines how the plan will be communicated to the crew and subs
*Review the contractors construction waste management plan
Evaluate the waste materials expected, their disposal method and handling
procedures to ensure they will achieve your projects waste reduction goal. Staff at
the Resource Ventures Sustainable Building Program can review the disposal
method and handling procedures section for each material to identify recyclers for
materials that were listed as garbage under disposal method; call (206) 389-7304 or
email [email protected].

Require waste management reports. Require the contractor to submit this report
with the application for progress payment. See the sample report on page 21.

State the projects waste reduction goal. See step one Set a goal above.

Require recycling education. Require the contractor to obtain copies of the

Construction Recycling Directory and the Contractors Guide for review at the preconstruction conference. See the Resources section.

4. Monitor the program

Require the contractor to submit a waste management report with the application for
progress payment.
Monitor the success of the program and potential barriers by including a discussion
about the waste reduction program during the project meetings.

12

Resources
Questions and technical assistance
Resource Venture
Provides free environmental consulting services to Seattle-area businesses. We help
companies lower their utility costs, obtain rebates, comply with regulations and receive public
recognition, all while protecting the environment. Since 1990, the Resource Venture has helped
thousands of businesses recycle, use less water, prevent stormwater pollution and build
sustainably. We are a program of the Greater Seattle Chamber of Commerce, in partnership
with Seattle Public Utilities.

Hotline - Call our staff for help with a quick question or an in-depth issue. Youll receive
prompt service and solutions tailored to your situation. [email protected] or
(206) 389-7304.

Web Site Visit our extensive Web site for how-to information, LEED credit fact sheets
for contractors, specifications, plans and local case studies. Find out where to recycle and
donate over 200 materials with our online Recycling Database.

2 hour project consultation - Architects and contractors with a project in Seattle can
receive a 2 hour project consultation with a sustainable building consultant through a grant
from Seattle Public Utilities. The goal of the consultation is to help you implement
sustainable building practices and/or use the LEED and Built Green rating systems.
Architects and builders have found the consultation has been valuable in saving them time,
money and avoiding frustration. You will receive project specific guidance on natural
stormwater management strategies, water conservation, construction waste management
and selecting green building materials. The consultation can include the architect, builder
and client. This SPU financial incentive, valued at $105 an hour, must occur before the end
of the schematic design phase.

Presentations - Sustainable Design is a one hour presentation at your firm that covers:
LEED and Built Green green building rating systems; local, national and federal
policies driving green building; costs and benefits of green building, and free resources to
help you. Construction Waste Management is a one hour presentation that covers the
architects role in working with the contractor to divert the maximum waste material possible
from the landfill.

Email Newsletter - A brief, monthly e-newsletter to keep building professionals up-to-date

on the latest information, tools and workshops related to sustainable building. To signup, go
to http://www.resourceventure.org/rv/news/email-updates/index.php

City of Seattle Incentives - We help you identify financial incentive and assistance
available to your project that can offset costs and provide technical support.

BEST Awards - Resource Venture annually gives a BEST (Businesses for an

Environmentally Sustainable Tomorrow) Award to the project team of a sustainably built
building. The companies are honored at a major, public ceremony; promoted to the media
and business associations and highlighted on Web sites and in fact sheets.

13

Publications
The following publications can be downloaded from the Resource Ventures Web site
http://www.resourceventure.org/rv/issues/building/publications/index.php, or call to be mailed
hard copies.

Case Study: Making Source-Separated and Co-Mingled Recycling Work Together on

Tight Sites - A Seattle project overcomes the challenges of a tight site and recycles 81% of
construction debris by using a combination of source-separated and co-mingled recycling.
Compares the costs of the two recycling strategies.

Construction Recycling Directory - A directory to find where to recycle construction waste

in Puget Sound from asphalt roofing to windows. You will also find recycling haulers,
recycling facilities, building material salvage companies and material reuse exchanges.

Contractors Guide - A step-by-step guide on how to set up a job-site recycling program,

write a construction waste management plan, calculate the cost-effectiveness of recycling,
select a recycling hauler, set up your site, encourage crew participation and practices to
reduce waste and reuse and salvage building materials.

Construction Waste Management for LEED - This fact sheet provides information to
assist Seattle area contractors in achieving LEED Materials & Resources Credit 2:
Construction Waste Management.

Construction Waste Management Specification Section017419 [01524] specifies the

project's waste prevention, salvage, reuse and recycling requirements for construction,
demolition and landclearing debris. Architects may use this model specification intact or
modify to suit your project. Includes: construction waste management plan and waste
management progress report.

Deconstruction Specification - Section 024293 [01736] specifies deconstruction and

removal of selected portions of or an entire building for salvage. Written in Masterspec
format, this specification is appropriate for all building types. Contact the Resource Venture
([email protected] or 206-389-7304) to receive the Deconstruction Specification as
an electronic Microsoft Word document.

The following publications can be downloaded from the Web:

Design for Deconstruction and Materials Reuse - This paper discusses the principles of
design for disassembly and lessons learned from deconstruction practice to propose
guidelines for design for deconstruction as a form of environmentally responsible
architecture. Go to http://deconstructioninstitute.com and click on Downloads.

Guide to Deconstruction - A resource for deconstruction training that includes an overview

of deconstruction, safety information, checklists and sample forms. Go to
http://deconstructioninstitute.com/ and click on Learning Center.

14

Appendix A

Construction Works
This program provides free assistance and recognition to builders who recycle, reduce
waste and use recycled-content building materials. Construction Works is co-sponsored
by the King County Solid Waste Division and the Resource Venture, a program of the
Greater Seattle Chamber of Commerce and Seattle Public Utilities.
Requirements
Builders are awarded an annual membership in Construction Works by specific jobsite
and can apply for multiple awards if more than one jobsite fulfills program requirements.
To be a recognized Construction Works member, a jobsite must:
Recycle at least 60% of construction debris
Implement at least 6 waste prevention strategies
Use 6 or more recycled-content building materials
Conduct at least 3 public education activities
Benefits
Construction Works members receive:
One-on-one technical assistance to help set up or increase a recycling and
waste-reduction program.
Media recognition in local business and industry publications.
Prominent placement of company name and logo on the Construction Works
web site.
Hardhat decals for the crew and a Construction Works banner for the jobsite.
How to Sign Up
For job sites in King County, outside the Seattle city limits, contact the King County Solid
Waste Division, (206) 296-4434 or [email protected].
For job sites in Seattle contact the Resource Venture, (206) 389-7304 or
[email protected].

15

Appendix B
MASTER
SECTION 017419 [01524]
CONSTRUCTION WASTE MANAGEMENT
PART 1 - GENERAL
1.1

SUMMARY

A. Section includes: Administrative and procedural requirements for construction waste management
activities.
1.2

DEFINITIONS

A. Construction, Demolition, and Landclearing (CDL) Waste: Includes all non-hazardous solid wastes
resulting from construction, remodeling, alterations, repair, demolition and landclearing. Includes
material that is recycled, reused, salvaged or disposed as garbage.
B. Salvage: Recovery of materials for on-site reuse or donation to a third party.
C. Reuse: Making use of a material without altering its form. Materials can be reused on-site or reused
on other projects off-site. Examples include, but are not limited to the following: Grinding of
concrete for use as subbase material. Chipping of landclearing debris for use as mulch.
D. Recycling: The process of sorting, cleaning, treating, and reconstituting materials for the purpose of
using the material in the manufacture of a new product.
E. Source-Separated CDL Recycling: The process of separating recyclable materials in separate
containers as they are generated on the job-site. The separated materials are hauled directly to a
recycling facility or transfer station.
F. Co-mingled CDL Recycling: The process of collecting mixed recyclable materials in one container
on-site. The container is taken to a material recovery facility where materials are separated for
recycling.
G. Approved Recycling Facility: Any of the following:
1. A facility that can legally accept CDL waste materials for the purpose of processing the
materials into an altered form for the manufacture of a new product.
2.

1.3

Material Recovery Facility: A general term used to describe a waste-sorting facility.

Mechanical, hand-separation, or a combination of both procedures, are used to recover
recyclable materials. Take co-mingled containers to <insert name of approved Material
Recovery Facility(s) from the King County Solid Waste Division Report of Co-mingled
Recycling Facilities at
www.metrokc.gov/dnrp/swd/construction-recycling/comingled.asp#rates >

SUBMITTALS

A. Waste Management Plan: Submit [3] <Insert number> copies of plan within [7] [14] [30] <Insert
number> days of date established for [commencement of the Work] [the Notice to Proceed] [the
Notice of Award].
B. Waste Management Report: Concurrent with each Application for Payment, submit [3] <Insert
number> copies of report. [Include separate reports for demolition and construction waste.]

16

1.4

PERFORMANCE REQUIREMENTS

A. General: Divert a minimum of [50%] [75%] <insert number> CDL waste, by weight, from the
landfill by one, or a combination of the following activities:
1. Salvage
2. Reuse
3. Source-Separated CDL Recycling
4. Co-mingled CDL Recycling
B. CDL waste materials that can be salvaged, reused or recycled include, but are not limited to, the
following:
1. Acoustical ceiling tiles
2. Asphalt
3. Asphalt shingles
4. Cardboard packaging
5. Carpet and carpet pad
6. Concrete
7. Drywall
8. Fluorescent lights and ballasts
9. Landclearing debris (vegetation, stumpage, dirt)
10. Metals
11. Paint (through hazardous waste outlets)
12. Wood
13. Plastic film (sheeting, shrink wrap, packaging)
14. Window glass
15. Wood
16. Field office waste, including office paper, aluminum cans, glass, plastic, and office cardboard.

1.5

QUALITY ASSURANCE

A. Regulatory Requirements: Conduct construction waste management activities in accordance with

State of Washington RCW 39.04.13, Seattle Municipal Code Chapter 21.36 and all other applicable
laws and ordinances.
B. Preconstruction Conference: Schedule and conduct meeting at Project site prior to construction
activities.
1. Attendees: Inform the following individuals, whose presence is required, of date and time of
meeting.
a. Owner.
b. Architect.
c. Contractor's superintendent.
d. Major subcontractors.
e. <Insert the appropriate municipality representative. For projects in King County,
outside the city of Seattle insert [King County Construction Recycling and Green
Building program representative (206) 296-4466]. For projects within the City of Seattle
insert [Resource Venture representative (206) 389-7304].>
f.
Other concerned parties.
2. Agenda Items: Review methods and procedures related to waste management including, but
not limited to, the following:
a. Review and discuss waste management plan including responsibilities of Waste
Management Coordinator.
b. Review requirements for documenting quantities of each type of waste and its disposition.
c. Review and finalize procedures for materials separation and verify availability of
containers and bins needed to avoid delays.

17

d.

3.
1.6

Review procedures for periodic waste collection and transportation to recycling and
disposal facilities.
e. Review waste management requirements for each trade.
f.
Review and distribution of the following publications and programs (request copies by
calling the King County Solid Waste Division at (206)296-4466):
1) Construction Recycling Directory for Seattle/King County.
2) Contractors Guide: Save money and resources through job-site recycling and waste
prevention
3) Construction Works program for Seattle/King County.
4) King County Solid Waste Division Report of Co-mingled Recycling Facilities
(available at
www.metrokc.gov/dnrp/swd/construction-recycling/comingled.asp#rates).
Minutes: Record discussion. Distribute meeting minutes to all participants within 3 days.

WASTE MANAGEMENT PLAN

A. General: Develop plan consisting of waste types, quantity by weight, methods of disposal, handling
and transportation procedures. Include separate sections in plan for demolition and construction
waste.
B. Organize the waste management plan in accordance with the sample plan included at end of Part 3,
including the following information:
1. Types and estimated quantities, by weight, of CDL waste expected to be generated during
demolition and construction.
2. Proposed methods for CDL waste salvage, reuse, recycling and disposal during demolition
including, but not limited to, one or more of the following:
a. Contracting with a deconstruction specialist to salvage materials generated,
b. Selective salvage as part of demolition contractors work,
c. Reuse of materials on-site or sale or donation to a third party.
3. Proposed methods for salvage, reuse, recycling and disposal during construction including, but
not limited to, one or more of the following:
a. Requiring subcontractors to take their CDL waste to a recycling facility,
b. Contracting with a recycling hauler to haul recyclable CDL waste to an approved recycling
or material recovery facility,
c. Processing and reusing materials on-site
d. Self-hauling to a recycling or material recovery facility.
4. Name of recycling or material recovery facility receiving the CDL wastes.
5. Handling and Transportation Procedures: Include method that will be used for separating
recyclable waste including sizes of containers, container labeling, and designated location on
Project site where materials separation will be located.
1.7

WASTE MANAGEMENT REPORT

A. Waste Management Report: Submit a cumulative waste management report on the form included
at end of Part 3 with each Application for Payment with the following attachments:
1. A record of the type and quantity, by weight, of each material salvaged, reused, recycled or
disposed.
2. Total quantity of waste recycled as a percentage of total waste.
3. Disposal Receipts: Copy of receipts issued by a disposal facility for CDL waste that is
disposed in a landfill.
4. Recycling Receipts: Copy of receipts issued by an approved recycling facility.
a. For co-mingled materials, include weight tickets from the recycling hauler or material
recovery facility and verification of the recycling rate for co-mingled loads at the facility.
5. Salvaged Materials Documentation: Types and quantities, by weight, for materials salvaged
for reuse on site, sold or donated to a third party.

18

PART 2 - PRODUCTS (Not Used)

PART 3 - EXECUTION
3.1

CONSTRUCTION WASTE MANAGEMENT, GENERAL

A. Provide containers for CDL waste that is to be recycled clearly labeled as such with a list of
acceptable and unacceptable materials. The list of acceptable materials must be the same as the
materials recycled at the receiving material recovery facility or recycling processor.
B. The collection containers for recyclable CDL waste must contain no more than 10% non-recyclable
material, by volume.
C. Provide containers for CDL waste that is disposed in a landfill clearly labeled as such.
D. Use detailed material estimates to reduce risk of unplanned and potentially wasteful cuts.
E. To the greatest extent possible, include in material purchasing agreements a waste reduction
provision requesting that materials and equipment be delivered in packaging made of recyclable
material, that they reduce the amount of packaging, that packaging be taken back for reuse or
recycling, and to take back all unused product. Insure that subcontractors require the same
provisions in their purchase agreements.
F. Conduct regular visual inspections of dumpsters and recycling bins to remove contaminants.
3.2

SOURCE SEPARATION

A. General: Separate recyclable materials from CDL waste to the maximum extent possible.
Separate recyclable materials by type.
1. Provide containers, clearly labeled, by type of separated materials or provide other storage
method for managing recyclable materials until they are removed from Project site.
2. Stockpile processed materials on-site without intermixing with other materials. Place, grade,
and shape stockpiles to drain surface water. Cover to prevent windblown dust.
3. Stockpile materials away from demolition area. Do not store within drip line of remaining trees.
4. Store components off the ground and protect from weather.
3.3

CO-MINGLED RECYCLING

A. General: Do not put CDL waste that will be disposed in a landfill into a co-mingled CDL waste
recycling container.
3.4

REMOVAL OF CONSTRUCTION WASTE MATERIALS

A. Remove CDL waste materials from project site on a regular basis. Do not allow CDL waste to
accumulate on-site.
B. Transport CDL waste materials off Owner's property and legally dispose of them.
C. Burning of CDL waste is not permitted.
END OF SECTION

19

WASTE MANAGEMENT PROGRESS REPORT

DISPOSED IN
MUNICIPAL
SOLID WASTE
LANDFILL
MATERIAL CATEGORY
1.

Asphalt (cu yds)

2.

Concrete (cu yds)

3.

Porcelain Plumbing
Fixtures (lbs)

4.

Ferrous Metals (lbs)

5.

Non-Ferrous Metals
(lbs)

6.

Wood (lbs)

7.

Glass (lbs)

8.

Clay Brick (lbs)

9.

Bond Paper (lbs)

DIVERTED FROM LANDFILL BY

RECYCLING, SALVAGE OR REUSE

Recycled

Salvaged

Reused

10. Newsprint (lbs)

11. Cardboard (lbs)
12. Plastic (lbs)
13. Gypsum (lbs)
14. Paint (gal)
15. Insulation (lbs)
16. Other (insert
description)
17. Other (insert
description)
Total (In Weight)

(TOTAL OF ALL ABOVE VALUES - IN

WEIGHT)
Percentage of
Waste Diverted

(TOTAL WASTE DIVIDED

BY TOTAL DIVERTED)

20

SAMPLE WASTE MANAGEMENT PLAN

Company:
Northwest Best Construction
Project:
Northwest Bank Building, Kent, WA
Designated Recycling Coordinator: John Doe
Waste Management Goals:
This project will recycle or salvage for reuse xx% [e.g. 75%] by weight of the waste
generated on-site.
Communication Plan:
Waste prevention and recycling activities will be discussed at each safety meeting.
As each new subcontractor comes on-site, the recycling coordinator will present him/her

with a copy of the Waste Management Plan and provide a tour of the recycling areas.
The subcontractor will be expected to make sure all their crews comply with the Waste
Management Plan.
All recycling containers will be clearly labeled.
Lists of acceptable/unacceptable materials will be posted throughout the site.
Expected Project Waste, Disposal, and Handling:
The following charts identify waste materials expected on this project, their disposal method,
and handling procedures.
Demolition Phase
Material
Asphalt from parking lot
Wood Framing

Quantity
100 tons
6 tons

Decorative Wood
Beams
Remaining Materials

300 bd.
ft.
8 tons

Construction Phase
Material
Concrete
Forming Boards

Quantity
2 tons

Clean Wood Scrap

12 tons

Scrap Metal

5 tons

Drywall

10 tons

All other wastes

14 tons

Disposal Method
Ground on-site, reuse as fill
Recycle - Wood Recycling
Northwest
Salvage - Timber Frame
Salvaging
Landfill - Sound Disposal

Handling Procedure
Separate "clean wood" in
clean wood bin
Remove by hand, store onsite, palletize for pickup
Dispose in trash dumpster

Disposal Method
Recycle - Pacific Concrete
Reuse as many times as
possible then recycle - Wood
Recycling NW

Handling Procedure
Rebar OK
Stack next to supply of new
form boards for reuse.
Recycle clean unusable
forms in wood recycling bin
Scraps reused for formwork,
Stack reusable pieces next to
fire breaks, etc. Remaining
saw for reuse. Place
recycled - Wood Recycling NW unusable clean wood in
wood recycling container
Recycle - Seattle Metals
Deposit all metals in metal
container
Subcontractor will recycle and Either provide container or
submit receipt
collect in vehicle for recycling
Landfill - Sound Disposal
Dispose of in trash dumpster

21