Reuse and Recycling Opportunities and Demolition

On this page:

• Recycling
• Markets
• Site reuse and sustainable communities
  • Greening Vacant Lots

Recycling

Local recycling markets may exist for non-hazardous demolition materials and land-clearing debris. For example, wood, metals, concrete, asphalt, brick and block are highly recoverable in many locations. Some non-hazardous materials can be reused on-site, in accordance with state and local requirements.

A demolition recycling specification that includes a goal or target for recycling sets an expectation that materials should be diverted from disposal.

• Organizations working to reduce the disposal of construction and demolition (C&D) materials.
• Construction and Demolition Recycling Association (CDRA).
• Construction Materials Recycling Association (CMRA) Master Specifications  - A generic solid waste management and recycling specification for demolition that can be modified to meet the needs of a specific project (from California Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery).

Markets

Identifying local markets for reuse and recycling of demolition materials is a valuable exercise when considering incorporating recycling and deconstruction into demolition projects. Also, a better understanding of materials available regionally and locally may help businesses create better long-term plans and goals for utilizing this material. Local governments and the communities they serve can also benefit from this information when there is a growing interest in enacting policies that prioritize material reuse and recycling over landfilling. With the help of research performed by non-profits, EPA has explored the availability of materials markets in the Midwest.

• Sustainable Materials Management (SMM) Web Academy Webinar: Construction and Demolition Materials Markets - Identifying Opportunities Regionally and Locally.
• Demystifying Waste Midwestern Building Material Markets (pdf)(1 MB).

Site Reuse and Sustainable Communities

How will the site be used after the demolition? Your demolition plans or specifications may include measures that reflect the expected future use of the site. For example, in some cases vacant parcels in urban areas will be used for green infrastructure or community gardens after the buildings are removed. If the demolition activity leaves concrete and other construction materials in the soil, it will be harder to use the site to grow crops or vegetation. It may be desirable to have the demolition plans/specifications call for removal of debris, leaving clean soil on the site to facilitate its reuse.

• Green infrastructure.
• Community gardens (CDC.gov)

This is one example of how the way in which demolition or deconstruction is done will affect reuse of the site. The sustainable communities program has among its objectives the green reuse of vacant parcels in urban and suburban areas. More information about our sustainable communities programs:

• Smart Growth.
• HUD-DOT-EPA Partnership for Sustainable Communities.
• Brownfields.

Greening Vacant Lots

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Region 5 compiled current practices on vacant lot greening as a resource on issues of stormwater management, construction specifications, job training, property maintenance and funding. This research provides a snapshot of greening practices conducted in 11 cities via a diverse set of organizations including non-profits, municipal offices, land banks and sewer authorities.

Best Practice Documents on Greening Vacant Lots.