Many municipalities have passed ordinances mandating the recycling of Clean Construction and Demolition Debris (CCDD).

Back in October, Austin, Texas passed an ordinance requiring at least 50 percent of unused materials from construction be recycled or reused. Demo companies often are more sophisticated in this process and will separate and optimize the revenue they can get from recycling where general construction companies are really looking for simplicity in the process and are willing to let the recycling company do that work and get the additional margin.” Many countries already have similar requirements to those passed in Austin, Texas and industry experts expect them to spread in North America.

“In those states and cities that have established recycling and reuse infrastructure, construction waste is required to be handled separately from municipal solid waste (MSW) and hazardous materials, but also one or more strategies have been implemented that have been increasing gradually and relatively painlessly over time,” Hartsig said. And some have specific material mandates, such as Vermont, which requires 100 percent of several easily recycled materials to be recycled.” According to environmental and commercial real estate law expert, William Anaya, an officer with Greensfelder, Hemker & Gale, P.C., the clean construction or demolition debris (CCDD) requirements across municipalities all are fairly similar. (more…)

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