Recycling construction materials is increasingly becoming a way for contractors to save money while doing less harm to the environment. Finding an organization that accepts construction materials such as drywall, plastic, shingles and concrete, however, can be a difficult process. The Construction Waste Management Database website aims to solve this problem.
The database contains information about companies that haul, collect and process recyclable debris from construction projects. Created in 2002 by the General Service Administration’s environmental strategies and safety division to promote responsible waste disposal, the database is a free online service for those trying to locate companies that recycle construction debris in their area.
Don Horn, sustainable design program expert for the GSA, helped create the database after becoming aware of contractors’ need for an easy-to-use clearinghouse of recycling organizations.
Prior to the database’s creation, contractors had to rely on community recycling guides. Horn said these guides often existed only in more urban areas, leaving rural contractors with nothing more than a phonebook as a reference for non-landfill material disposal.
“We were telling project managers to recycle, but didn’t know where to point them,” Horn said. “Many contractors had no idea some material could be taken in their area.”
To find a local recycling organization you enter into the site’s form your state, zip code and the type of materials to be disposed. Those nearest the specified location will be displayed along with all contact information, hours of operation, materials recycled, recycled-content products sold and other data.
The website also offers links to case studies, a review of federal mandates and model building codes. You can follow links to various green building topics and technologies as well.
