Policies that Support C&D Material Recovery

Government policies that actively promote C&D material recovery create an environment conducive to architectural salvage and deconstruction.

California

The State of California actively promotes the recycling and reuse of construction and demolition (C&D) materials to assist jurisdictions in meeting and maintaining their landfill diversion goals.  Senate Bill 1374, signed into law in 2002, mandates that the California Integrated Waste Management Board (CIWMB):

• provide educational and outreach support to jurisdictions and local contractors on C&D recovery methods; and
• develop a model C&D ordinance for interested jurisdictions to review, revise, and adopt to address their specific needs related to their local infrastructure and waste stream.

The CIWMB web site offers online C&D recovery resource materials for architects, builders, local governments, and C&D processors.

Massachusetts

Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection’s Beyond 2000:  Solid Waste Management Plan established the goal of 70% total waste reduction (88% C&D and 60% MSW waste reduction) by the year 2010.  The 2000 Plan called for the banning of unprocessed C&D from transfer and disposal facilities as a way to increase the recycling of these materials.  Effective July 1, 2006, the C&D waste ban went into effect for the following materials:

• Asphalt pavement
• Brick
• Concrete
• Metals
• Wood

The MA DEP web site provides comprehensive information about the state’s waste disposal bans and managing C&D wastes.

King County, Washington

In June 2004, the King County WasteWise Program established a one-year agreement with RE Sources offering the non-profit organization the opportunity to collect unwanted building materials, furnishings and fixtures from county construction, renovation, and demolition projects.  RE Sources operates the RE Store, which sells used building materials in Seattle, Washington.  The no-fee contract was created to divert waste materials from landfills and support reuse efforts that provide community benefits.

This salvage effort has been so successful that the contract was extended for an additional two years (June 2005 – June 2007), and amended to allow RE Sources to do minor deconstruction on work sites.  The amended Memo of Agreement is posted on the King County web site.