Recycling Construction Materials

People embrace recycling in various ways whether it includes drink cans, newspapers, or even building materials.  Your construction project – remodel or new build – will certainly generate some scraps. Consider reusing or recycling those materials to lower your impact on landfills and maybe increase some change in your pocket.

Starting out.

1. Ask your contractor, contact your local builder’s association, or check with the state environmental agency to determine where and how you can recycle your materials.
2. Determine what can be disposed of as solid waste and what can be picked up as recycling. Your local landfill and recycler will want you to adhere to proper processing rules. Check with them before your project begins.
3. Search online for places like Habitat for Humanity ReStores or other agencies who accept reusable construction materials. You may even be able to sale a portion of these recovered materials.

Why should I recycle?

Think about the volume of materials used in the process of building or remodeling. By recycling, you can help cut costs related to new materials and eliminate a vast amount of waste being sent to landfills. You will also keep hazardous materials out of the landfills when you dispose of them properly.

What happens to the materials?

Whatever items you have can often be reused or recycled. Concrete can become a base for driveways or paths; untreated lumber can be mulched or used as firewood. Larger pieces of lumber, plywood, and moulding can be reused directly. Various types of metal can be melted and reformed into new products or sold for scrap.

Plan your next project or remodel, but be sure to include some thoughts as to what you can do to recycle. Make the most out of all those materials.