| Many General Contractors (GCs) have asked the | | | | attempt to recycle the "low hanging fruit" like |
| question: "Why Should I care or bother with the | | | | metal, wood/paper, and plastics. Most General |
| expense of recycling Construction and Demolition | | | | Contractors experience limited success because |
| (C &D) waste"? It's a fair question, one | | | | most are not familiar with proper C & D |
| which deserves a straight forward answer. To | | | | management techniques, processes or |
| begin exploring this question we must first | | | | procedures. This failure to understand waste |
| acknowledge a simple fact - Landfill space is not | | | | management practices generally leads to a very |
| an infinite commodity. That is - the available landfill | | | | unhappy project owner. But the situation is |
| space will not last forever. Secondarily, shipping | | | | recoverable if the GC chooses to engage a |
| landfill material oversees is not an option. Shipping | | | | professional waste management firm early in the |
| material oversees at best offers a temporary | | | | project development process. Second, an active |
| solution and backloads the problem on to the | | | | waste management firm will have access to local |
| following generations. So let's focus on a | | | | recycling markets. This helps the General |
| permanent solution for the sake of future | | | | Contractor market their construction waste to |
| generations. | | | | these recycling firms, perhaps realizing a revenue |
| It is a well known fact that construction activities | | | | stream to defray the waste management cost. |
| generate millions of tons of construction and | | | | This realized revenue must be negotiated upfront |
| demolition debris each year, filling our landfills at an | | | | and well understood by all parties - including the |
| astonishing rate. General Contractors have several | | | | project owners. Finally, let's review the third |
| options open to them. First is the traditional | | | | option. |
| method - landfill everything. Second is limited | | | | The most preferred option is the third: full scale |
| recycling, namely plastics, metals and wood/paper. | | | | construction waste recycling. It's a challenge that |
| Third is full recycling - everything except toxic | | | | few General Contractors and "Trash" haulers are |
| materials. Let's explore each option. | | | | willing to undertake. However the professional |
| The traditional building method allows the general | | | | waste management firm and the GC can achieve |
| contractor to focus on the here-and-now, | | | | a high level of recycling success but it requires a |
| forgoing any thought of the future altogether. | | | | great deal of trust, cooperation, and site |
| The GC estimates the number of hauls required | | | | coordination between them. |
| throughout the construction process and prices | | | | Modern "Green" building programs make recycling |
| that activity into his/her commercial bid. Tip fees, | | | | a priority. As such, the GC should look for project |
| fuel surcharges, and delivery fees are passed | | | | owners, architects, and engineers who write clear |
| directly to the project owner or the | | | | recycling specifications with stated waste |
| representative - it's simple and clear cut. This | | | | reduction goals. This implies upfront planning, |
| method is inline with GCs who are not pursuing | | | | material identification, and documentation. Along |
| any "Green" building certification. For GCs who | | | | with receiving clear specifications and waste |
| believe in this method, consider your current | | | | reduction goals, the GC must educate all jobsite |
| position. Sure, you may have enough work right | | | | personnel regarding the recycling program and its |
| now, maybe even a backlog. But realize that | | | | importance. The Keys to the successful C & |
| "Green" building is here to stay and traditional | | | | D debris removal and recycling are: monitor, |
| building requirements will continue to shrink - | | | | monitor, and monitor the monthly waste |
| worldwide. What's driving these changes? | | | | management performance results. |
| Regulation, energy pricing, raw material cost, global | | | | In the final analysis General Contractors must |
| warming/climate change, consumer preference, | | | | consider the environment when constructing new |
| and societal norms all contribute to our current | | | | facilitates. Gone are the days of hauling all |
| situation. Clearly, these traditional GC's must | | | | Construction and Demolition waste to the landfill. |
| change their waste management methods in | | | | The General Contractor who understands the |
| order to survive in the new "Green" environment. | | | | "Green" dynamics will prosper while the GC who |
| Let's take a look at the second option. | | | | doesn't stands little chance of long term success. |
| I call the second option "taking baby steps" for | | | | In my next article, I'll go into detail regarding |
| GCs new to construction material recycling. | | | | recycling, waste management planning, and C |
| Depending on the project the owners - GCs may | | | | & D removal. |