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Thank you for your interest in Mecklenburg County’s Construction & Demolition (C&D) Waste Reduction and Recycling Program. The reduction and recycling of this waste stream is an important part of the
County’s overall Solid Waste Management Plan. This program of outreach and education has been developed to assist you in reducing the amount of construction and demolition waste generated on your job site and in recycling as much as possible of that waste.
Building-related construction/demolition debris (C&D) is the waste material generated in the construction, renovation or removal of structures. Structures include buildings of all types, residential and nonresidential. C&D debris may include concrete, brick, block, wood, gypsum, asphalt pavement and shingles, metal, miscellaneous plastics, salvageable items (e.g. windows, doors, fixtures, and cardboard, as well as land-clearing debris.
Proper management of the C&D waste stream is important for several reasons. We expect the amount that is generated to increase. There is potential for hazardous characteristics from components such as treated wood and asbestos shingles. Some C&D debris is illegally and improperly disposed.
Ultimately, much of the waste stream is recyclable and could be diverted from the landfill.
C&D waste is roughly a quarter of the total solid waste stream in Mecklenburg County.
In the fiscal year ending June 2008, 326,000 tons of C&D waste were disposed of in the County. Most of the C&D waste in the County is being disposed of in C&D landfills. A small amount is disposed in municipal solid waste landfills and some goes to land-clearing and inert debris sites.
Interest in recycling C&D waste has steadily increased. The large volume of these materials, the cost of disposal and increased awareness of the opportunities to recycle are driving this interest. The growing popularity of green building techniques and LEED certifications are also factors affecting this trend.
Portions of the County’s C&D waste stream are currently being recycled at facilities operated by the county or one of the many private recyclers in the area. Mecklenburg County and the City/Towns within the County have established a goal of reducing by 45 percent, the amount of C&D waste generated per capita by 2019.
Environmental benefits associated with reducing and recycling of this material include conservation of natural resources, creating less pollution, using less energy and water and reducing greenhouse gases by using less energy for manufacturing and transportation. Extending the life of existing landfills is a benefit to the community because new sites do not have to be developed and funded.

Construction management companies, architects and others involved in building or demolition are encouraged to partner with the County in reducing C&D wastes. Technical assistance is available. Data on the success of these projects can be used to help educate others and to increase waste reduction/ recycling activity.
Other aspects of the program include research and evaluation of successful methods for decreasing waste associated with C&D activities, assisting in the development of local markets for the various waste materials and working to strengthen the infrastructure for waste reduction and recycling.
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Depending upon the job, a certain amount of waste that could be considered hazardous may be generated during construction, renovation or demolition projects. Examples include paint, sealant, stain, caulk and concrete etching. Oil based paints, solvents and adhesives are examples of materials that, once discarded, may be considered hazardous waste.
Hazardous waste, liquids and asbestos materials are prohibited from disposal in a construction/ demolition landfill.
The list of potentially hazardous materials is different for demolition projects and may include material contaminated with asbestos or lead. Fluorescent light tubes and ballasts, mercury thermostats, and switches and batteries are other examples of potentially hazardous materials often found in demolition waste streams.
Hazardous materials must be managed in a manner that will consistently ensure worker safety, prevent environmental contamination and meet all regulatory requirements.
For information on vendors that provide recycling/disposal services go to www.wipeoutwaste.com.

Planning for management of construction/demolition waste on a job site often includes the selection of a commercial hauler to handle the transport of the materials to recyclers or disposal facilities.
This is an important decision, as the hauler can be crucial to the success of the waste reduction and recycling effort. The hauler also plays a critical role in the management of your waste stream when the disposal option is chosen. However, responsibility for the management of waste from the job site belongs to the generator of the waste. In most cases, this is the general contractor. This responsibility includes ensuring that materials are transported to a facility that can legally accept them.
The rate structure used by haulers may vary, and cost comparisons may prove difficult. Many haulers use “flat rates” that include rental of a container, transport and disposal, while others quote the services separately. Be very clear when designating a particular recycler or facility for management of your material, as the rates they quote may not be figured accordingly.
To ensure proper management of your waste stream and to track data needed to measure your success in reducing waste, you may need to require your hauler to provide you with weight tickets and/or an end-of-month report showing quantities and types of wastes generated and managed. This report should include tonnages/dates and list the facility where the materials were taken for recycling or disposal. This is crucial if you are providing documentation for a LEED project where an audit trail may be required to receive credit.
Remember all wastes/recyclables must be contained at all times in a manner that will prevent spillage or blowing of the material on the job site or the roadways. Secure all loads before transporting.
Mecklenburg County requires that all commercial haulers be licensed. A list of licensed haulers is available on our Web site at www.wipeoutwaste.com.
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The first step in the management of your C&D waste is to anticipate the types and quantities of materials that will be generated. You will also need to understand the cost associated with management of the waste. This will require knowledge of the tipping fees for disposal in the area and how the haulers structure their fee schedule.
Access to information on available markets for recycling of specific materials will also be needed.
Knowledge of what constitutes an “uncontaminated” load of a particular material is critical. Any cost associated with recycling, as well as any revenue available to you, are also factors to consider as you establish a plan for management of the waste stream.
A waste management plan can be established for the project using a Reduce-Reuse-Recycle strategy.
First, ask yourself if you can reduce or prevent some of the anticipated waste from being generated.
Only purchase what you will use on the project. Efficient framing techniques can reduce the amount of wood scraps, as well as save money. The second step is to consider reuse of the material. Are there other uses on site for lumber cut-offs? Many contractors stockpile the scrap wood on site for this purpose and reuse as appropriate. Reuse of dimensional lumber by donating to nonprofit organizations such as Habitat for Humanity’s ReStore is another option. The remaining untreated wood scraps can then be recycled (see the wood waste recycling section).
Before contracting with a commercial hauler, see if the business that recycles the material will pick up the material. This may be an option for certain materials (including cardboard and metals) if you expect to generate large volumes and if the current market conditions support prices that can cover the transportation.
When choosing your hauler, be clear about your requirements for recycling of selected materials.
You may have to be very specific about where the material is to be taken. Hauling fees are based on truck time, so distance to the disposal or recycling facility is key to the rate offered. Request detailed monthly reports or invoices with sufficient detail to allow you to determine your recycling totals as a percent of waste generated.
Uncontaminated loads of recyclables are critical to your success. It is important for you, the hauler and the recycling company to have the same understanding of what constitutes an “uncontaminated” load.
Containers must be clearly marked. Many times, bilingual signage is needed. Depending on your job site location and public access, some contamination may be outside of your control.

Education of the crew members and subcontractors regarding expectations and contamination is critical. Even with proper education and cooperation, someone on the job site will need to take responsibility for regular inspection of the recycling containers and removal of contaminants if necessary. Many times this will be a crew member who has prior knowledge and interest in recycling.
Other options for management of C&D waste are used in areas where services and facilities are available:
Job site cleanup services are a relatively new method of management. Materials are placed in a certain area by subcontractors. Recycling and disposal of materials are handled by the service provider.
The advantages to the builder are an established up front cost and little operational involvement.
Mixed C&D processing is available locally whereby the waste is commingled in one container and sorted off-site (see www.wipeoutwaste.com). Providers of these services are required to be permitted by the State of North Carolina unless they sort materials indoors.
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Source-separated asphalt pavement can be recycled into a new pavement product. Scrap asphalt or recycled asphalt pavement is mixed with virgin materials in percentages ranging from 5 to 25 percent.
Some asphalt-producing companies accept asphalt scrap from their own operations as well as from demolition contractors and other sources willing to deliver to their facilities. Materials delivered to the site typically are accepted at no charge, provided they are free of contaminants.
Asphalt pavement reclamation is a well-established practice used mostly by asphalt plants because of cost savings over virgin materials. Since most asphalt pavement is recovered, asphalt may be the number one recycled product in the country.
Asphalt shingles make up about two-thirds of the U.S. residential roofing market. They are made of the same four basic materials contained in hot-mix asphalt used in road construction. These materials include: fiberglass or cellulose backing (2–15 percent); asphalt cement (19–22 percent on a fiberglass-mat base, 30–36 percent on a cellulose-felt base made with paper); sand-sized, ceramiccoated natural rock called aggregate (20–38 percent); and mineral filler or stabilizer that includes limestone, dolomite and silica (8–40 percent). The asphalt used in shingles is made through the partial refinement of petroleum.
In a 2007 study of Mecklenburg County’s construction and demolition waste, asphalt shingles made up
6.4 percent of disposed waste, or 24,084 tons. Because shingle waste is most often generated by a roofing contractor, it is kept separate from other construction and demolition waste and has a high potential to be recycled.
Currently, the largest recycling use for asphalt shingles is in hot-mix asphalt (HMA). Many states, including
North Carolina, allow asphalt shingles to be incorporated into HMA for road construction. Studies have shown that adding recycled asphalt shingles improves both the economics of HMA as well as the performance of the product. Another common use for recycled asphalt shingles is in the production of cold patch for the repair of potholes, utility cuts and other asphalt road repairs. In addition, recycled asphalt shingles can be made into new shingles or burned as a fuel.
Recyclers of asphalt shingles must remove contaminants such as nails and wood. In addition, delivered loads must be tested for asbestos before being incorporated into new products.
See www.wipeoutwaste.com for a list of companies that accept asphalt pavement materials or shingles for recycling.

Waste carpet’s sheer bulk makes it difficult and expensive to handle. The recycling of carpet is problematic for more complex reasons. Consider this: Carpet is manufactured from a variety of fiber types including nylon 6 (47 percent), nylon 66 (37 percent), polypropylene (8 percent), and polyethylene (8 percent). While a stable market exists for recycling nylon 6, markets for the other fibers are not as strong. In addition, a carpet has many components of different chemical composition. In order to recycle carpet, the recycling company may need to separate these components.
Carpet industry representatives have joined with government to form CARE, the Carpet America Recovery
Effort. This nonprofit organization was created to increase the amount of recycling and reuse of postconsumer carpet and to reduce the amount of waste carpet going to landfills. One of the major goals of the group is to enhance the collection infrastructure and market development for post-consumer carpet.
For more on the work to advance carpet recycling visit CARE’s Web site at www.carpetrecovery.org.
Despite price fluctuations, this region has had a continuous demand for some recyclable materials such as aluminum cans, corrugated boxes and office paper. The demand for carpet as a recyclable commodity has historically been less certain, falling in and out of favor with the marketplace.
If you expect to generate a significant amount of carpet, you can contact the supplier of the new carpet or other floor covering to see whether they can work with you to find a way to recycle the old carpet. Next, consult Mecklenburg County’s Web site to see whether recycling companies are accepting this material locally. In many cases, recycling of carpet is not free. If the carpet to be removed is resalable, donation to a local Habitat ReStore may be an option. In all cases, carpet to be recycled must be kept dry.
See www.wipeoutwaste.com for a list of companies accepting carpet and carpet pad for recycling.
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Mineral fiber ceilings can be efficiently reclaimed through the Armstong Ceilings Recycling Program.
Since the program began in 1999, more than 80 million square feet of ceilings have been recycled.
Armstrong’s new ceilings contain up to 82 percent recycled content.
Armstrong’s recycling program is generally for large quantities, 30,000 square-feet or trailer loads.
For projects that generate smaller amounts, store and combine the tiles for transport with material from other jobs. It is worthwhile to contact Armstrong with smaller loads, as the program may know of other local businesses with smaller quantities that can be combined to make a complete load. You can also check with the local Habitat ReStore at (704) 392-4495 to see whether it can accept this material.
Armstong’s Web site, www.armstrong.com/recycle, lists the following steps to recycle ceiling tiles:
1. Confirm with Armstong that your old ceiling tiles can be recycled. They don’t care who made them — if they can add water and make slush they can take them.
2. Remove and stack your old ceiling tiles on 4 foot by 4 foot pallets and wrap them up tightly with stretch wrap.
3. Contact Armstrong when you have a full trailer load. They will send a truck to pick up the material at no charge.
Contact Armstrong at the following address:
Armstrong World Industries
2500 Columbia Ave.
Lancaster, PA 17603
(877) 276-7876 (Press option 1, then 8)
For more information, visit www.armstrong.com/recycle.

A 2007 waste characterization study revealed that concrete, brick, block, stone and tile comprised the largest category of disposed construction/demolition waste materials in Mecklenburg County at 23 percent or 87,846 tons annually.
Material to be recycled is normally delivered to the processor in large pieces and is broken up into aggregate by heavy crushing equipment. Some equipment is portable and can be set up on-site for immediate use of the product. A “crushing plant” may include a hopper for receipt of the material, a jaw to break it into more manageable pieces, a cone or impact crusher to further reduce size, a vibrating screen to sort to required specifications and a conveyor belt with a rotating magnet for metal removal.
Much of the reconditioned stone produced in our area is used on construction sites as backfill by landscapers and for building pads when approved for use. There is often no charge for delivering concrete, brick and block to a recycling facility.
See www.wipeoutwaste.com for a list of companies that accept concrete, brick and concrete products for recycling.
Contact companies/facilities directly for pricing and for more in-depth quality control or product information. Some facilities prohibit rebar.
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A 2007 study revealed that 3.8 percent of disposed construction waste in Mecklenburg County consisted of the brown corrugated cardboard boxes and packaging. In 2007, those 14,302 tons of corrugated cardboard had a market value of about $1.7 million. The fact that corrugated cardboard is used primarily as a packaging material makes it a prime target for separation and recycling on the job site.
There is an abundance of corrugated cardboard processors in our area. Market prices for this material fluctuate as with any commodity and are even affected by global conditions. The first step in developing a recycling plan for your corrugated cardboard should be to contact several of the area processors and see what they will pay for your material based on the expected volume, and whether they can provide any sort of container/pickup service. You may have to contract with a waste hauler separately for rental of a container and delivery to the processor.
Many waste haulers have established routes for pickup of corrugated cardboard in what is termed “frontend-loader containers” from their commercial and industrial customers. This option can be extended to the C&D customer as well. Roll-off containers are also offered for collection of larger quantities of loose cardboard on the job site. These containers are normally picked up and the contents delivered to the processor when the contractor calls for a pickup. When contracting directly with the hauler, you may not receive any sort of rebate for the corrugated cardboard because they may offer you a flat rate or perhaps a reduced haul rate for the service.
The best method for recycling corrugated cardboard on your job site will depend on the volume generated and how close your job site is to the processor’s facility. Do the research and evaluate the options.
Most of the time it saves money and sometimes it even makes money.
Local vendors that collect and/or process corrugated cardboard are listed on our Web site at www.wipeoutwaste.com. You can also find waste/recycling hauling companies in the yellow pages of your phone book.

Unpainted drywall, also referred to as Sheetrock and wallboard, makes up about 7 percent of the disposed construction and demolition (C&D) waste locally, according to a 2007 study. Scrap drywall from new construction is currently being recovered for recycling. Drywall from renovation and demolition projects is not typically recycled in the region because most of the material is painted or treated.
Drywall is composed primarily of gypsum or calcium sulfate with a paper face and backing. In some areas, recovered gypsum is being remanufactured back into gypsum wallboard. As a pH-neutral and absorbent material, recovered gypsum may also be used for applications such as cat litter and as a spill-absorbent product. There is potential for recovered gypsum as a component in the manufacture of cement and in some compost and organic fertilizer production. Gypsum is also being used in agricultural applications in North Carolina as a soil amendment. It adds calcium, sulfur and boron to the soil, is pH neutral, and loosens clay soils.
In order to be recycled, scrap drywall must be unpainted, separate from other waste materials and dry.
At many construction sites in our area, scrap drywall recycling is managed by the drywall contractor rather than the general contractor. This offers an excellent opportunity for recycling because the drywall contractor is only generating drywall waste and can take these loads to one of several recycling locations in the area.
The economics of recycling drywall will depend on the volume being produced, the tipping fee charged by the processor, the availability of pickup and the cost of transport. The tipping fee for processing is normally lower than the landfill tipping fee but a comparison of the transport or pickup portion of the cost should be considered as well.
More information on recycling gypsum drywall is available at www.drywallrecycling.com.
Local vendors that collect and/or process gypsum drywall are listed on our website. To view the list, please visit www.wipeoutwaste.com.
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There are many opportunities to consider environmentally responsible design and management practices during the planning phase that minimize the loss of trees, natural features and topsoil. When land must be cleared for construction, erosion control is critical from an environmental standpoint as well as regulatory compliance. Organic mulch, compost and straw bales are now being used in some erosion control applications. The use of these materials on job sites helps provide markets for waste we generate during the land-clearing process.
In most instances, a land-clearing contractor, perhaps in cooperation with a contract logger, will initiate the land-clearing process by doing an assessment of the timber on the property. Trees that have value are logged and removed from the site. The smaller trees and brush are cleared and placed in piles, along with the stumps that have been removed. This material is normally ground into mulch using large tub-grinders either by the land clearing contractor or a contract grinding operation. The mulch/chips generated can be used on-site in many cases or may be hauled off-site to market.
On-site applications for the organic mulch and chips generated include erosion control and landscaping.
Off-site markets include compost operations and landscape supply facilities. In addition, a majority of wood chips are sold as fuel for boilers generating electricity or steam.
See www.wipeoutwaste.com for a list of companies accepting land clearing debris for recycling.

Source-separated metals are typically one of the highest-value materials in the waste stream and are more commonly recovered than disposed. The scrap metal recycling industry is well-established and has been in existence for a very long time (during the Revolutionary War, iron kettles and pots were melteddown for armaments). In spite of its value, a 2007 study found that metals make up about 7 percent of the C&D waste disposed in landfills in Mecklenburg County. This amounted to about 26,000 tons of C&D metal disposed of in 2007.
Steel, aluminum and copper are the most common metals found in C&D debris. These materials are typically accepted at all salvage/scrap yards directly from the contractor. If large enough volumes are being generated and/or the market price for the metal is high, metal recyclers will sometimes provide containers for free or at a minimal cost to cover transportation. Additionally, generators are normally paid for the metals they recycle based on current market prices. Non-ferrous metals (containing no iron) such as aluminum and copper are found in smaller quantities on C&D job sites. While not as large in volume as iron and steel they are more valuable by the pound. Depending on the metal being generated and the current market prices, it may be beneficial to keep these metals separated from steel and stockpile for larger loads and higher value.
In addition to the economic advantages of scrap metal recycling, the Environmental Protection Agency has identified major benefits when scrap iron and steel are used instead of virgin materials — iron ore and coal — in making new steel. Energy savings alone are 95 percent for aluminum, 85 percent for copper and 74 percent for iron and steel. Air pollution is reduced by 86 percent and water pollution by 76 percent. Visit our Web site at www.wipeoutwaste.com for a list of scrap metal recyclers.
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The latest EPA waste composition data indicate that wood is 20–30 percent of building-related C&D waste. A Mecklenburg County study conducted in 2007 found that nearly 32 percent of materials disposed in local C&D landfills was wood waste.
To be suitable for reuse or recycling, wood waste from C&D activities must be separate from other waste materials and must be untreated and free of paint or stain. This includes scrap dimensional (framing) lumber, plywood, chipboard and shipping pallets.
2007 Mecklenburg County C&D Waste Characterization: Wood Category
Pallets
Crates
Material
Untreated Wood
Oriented Strand Board (OSB)
Percent of Total C&D Waste
2.1%
0.5%
16.5%
6.0%
7,765
1,856
2007 Quantity (tons)
62,252
22,488
Treated/Painted/Processed 6.8% 25,505
Wood Subtotal 31.8% 119,865
Crates, untreated wood and broken pallets can all be ground into mulch for landscaping projects or into chips and sold as fuel for boilers generating electricity or steam. Unbroken pallets can be sold directly to pallet recyclers. Some of the clean wood waste in the C&D stream is suitable for reuse and can be accepted by groups such as Habitat for Humanity. Many such groups operate resale stores selling donated building materials and other items to the public. Revenue from their sales is used to finance the building of homes for those in need. Some local demolition contractors also salvage wood and other items suitable for resale.
The most cost-effective and efficient method of reducing wood waste is to purchase only as much as is needed for the project.
Untreated wood waste and pallets can be taken to locations listed on the www.wipeoutwaste.com
Web site. Fees are generally lower than those charged by the landfills.

Debris generated by C&D activity that isn’t suitable for reuse or recycling must be disposed of at a facility permitted to accept the waste material. There are two facilities in Mecklenburg County operating as construction/demolition landfills. There are several more just outside Mecklenburg County that accept
C&D material generated in this county.
Some components that may be found in the construction/demolition waste stream are not acceptable for disposal at these sites. Asbestos is not accepted because of its hazardous characteristics.
Metal and cardboard should be separated and recycled before the load is delivered for disposal. If you have questions about specific materials, you may contact the facility.
Secure Your Load
The State of North Carolina requires that all materials being transported on the roads/highways be properly contained to prevent litter.
So please store, load and transport in such a way as to prevent any material from being spilled or being blown from a vehicle or job site and becoming litter.
A list of C&D disposal facilities can be found at www.wipeoutwaste.com.
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Litter is everyone’s problem, and its prevention is up to us. In North Carolina about 14.8 million pounds of litter are deposited on our highways and streets each year. In 2008, $19 million were spent in North Carolina to clean up litter. Volunteers also clean up large amounts of litter, but it is still not nearly enough.
Mismanagement of waste on C&D sites and improper containment of waste materials being hauled from C&D job sites contribute to the litter problem in our area.
Much of this littering is unintentional, as it is estimated that 50 percent of litter is “blown, not thrown,” but it is still a factor, and there are steps that we can take to address the problem. In most cases, the general contractor has responsibility for a job site and can set policy and require cooperation regarding litter prevention by employees, subcontractors and vendors. He can respond to violations of this policy in the same way he responds to non-compliance of other contract requirements.
1. Stress the importance of litter prevention to employees, subcontractors and vendors.
Make it clear that cooperation is mandatory. Go over these requirements in meetings with subcontractors and during safety meetings with the crew.
2. Provide written notice of violation and treat noncompliance in the same manner as other violations of the contract.
3. Make trash containers and recycling containers convenient. Put them where the people will be, such as break areas. Make sure they are clearly identified. Bilingual signage may be needed. Empty the containers as needed.
4. Require that all loads coming into or leaving your site are properly covered, secured and contained to prevent spillage or blowing of contents (including from pickup trucks). This is a major source of roadside litter.
5. Remember that cigarette butts are also litter, please provide for their safe and responsible disposal.
More assistance in the effort to prevent litter is available. Mecklenburg County’s Litter
Prevention Coordinator can be reached at (704) 432-1772 or at www.wipeoutwaste.com.

Green building is sometimes referred to as “high performance” or “sustainable” building. It means that energy, water, and materials are used efficiently during the construction and lifetime of the structure; the health and productivity of occupants is emphasized; and the impact of the structure on the local and global environment is minimized.
The built environment has a profound impact on our natural environment, economy, health and productivity. In the United States, buildings account for:
• 1/3 of total energy use and 2/3 of electricity consumption
• 30 percent of greenhouse gas emissions
• 30 percent of raw material use
• 30 percent of waste output and 136 million tons annually
• 12 percent of potable water consumption
Incorporation of green building practices can reduce these effects.
The U.S. Green Building Council has developed the nationally-accepted Leadership in Energy and
Environmental Design (LEED) standard. The LEED rating system assigns credits for superior performance in such areas as:
• Site sustainability
• Water efficiency
• Energy & atmosphere
• Materials resources (including construction waste management, resource reuse and
recycled content)
• Indoor environmental quality
• Innovation & design process
Awareness and understanding of green building is growing rapidly. We are beginning to see a market transformation that will greatly enhance the way we design, construct and operate buildings. Many green buildings cost no more to build – or may even cost less – than conventional alternatives because resource-efficient strategies and integrated design often allow downsizing of more costly mechanical, electrical and structural systems. Even if the initial cost does rise because of incorporation of green building concepts, it is being shown that the increase (avg. 2-7 percent depending on the design and extent of added features) can be recouped quickly by accounting for reduced operating expenses and other life-cycle cost.
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A growing number of state and local governments are encouraging green building practices including the reduction and recycling of construction/demolition waste. Some local governments have required waste management plans be submitted for construction and/or demolition projects that show how waste-reduction goals will be achieved, and the cost of recycling versus waste disposal. This information is beneficial in establishing a database for cost/benefit analysis and as a resource for use by the industry.
For more information regarding Green Building, please visit the U. S. Green Building Council’s Web site at www.usgbc.org. Case studies are available as well as information on the LEED rating system. A local chapter, the USGBC Charlotte Region Chapter, has been formed. Information regarding membership, services and activities is available at www.usgbc.org/Chapters/charlotte.
Additional information is available at the following Web sites:
Environmental Building News: www.buildinggreen.com
Smart Communities Network: www.smartcommunities.ncat.org/buildings/gbintro.shtml
Energy Star: www.energystar.gov
Sustainable Sources: www.greenbuilder.com
Construction Materials Recycling Association: www.cdrecycling.org
National Association of Home Builders: www.nahb.org
Whole Building Design Guide: www.wbdg.org
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The ultimate waste reduction tactic might be to consider relocation of a structure rather than deconstruction or demolition. In certain cases, a building can be moved to a different location and reused for its original purpose or renovated for another purpose. A turn-of-the-century farm house could be moved and renovated for office space.
Many factors can play into this decision: the type and value of the structure, the cost and feasibility of having it moved, the availability of suitable land, the demand for continued use and the anticipated cost of renovation. It is important to note that cost is not always the determining factor.
If historical or architectural factors exist, historic preservation experts should be contacted and may be of assistance to those interested in evaluating these options.
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Charlotte-Mecklenburg Historic Landmarks Commission
(704) 376-9115
2100 Randolph Road, Charlotte, NC www.charmeck.org/Department/Historic+Landmarks+Commission/Home.htm
International Association of Structural Movers: www.iasm.org
Before contracting with a company to move a structure it is important to make sure they are licensed through the Dept. of Transportation’s Oversize & Overweight Permitting Division. They can be reached at 919-733-4740
Mecklenburg County requires permits for relocation of a structure. Call (704) 336-3803 or visit the website at www.meckpermit.com for more information.
Local companies are listed in the Yellow Pages under “House & Building Moving, Leveling, & Raising”
When a building reaches the end of its useful life, waste created by its removal can be minimized. In years past, demolition generated significant waste. Today, interest in a practice known as “deconstruction” is growing. Deconstruction is the systematic dismantling of all or a portion of a structure in order to maximize the reuse or recycling of the component parts. Recovered materials from a deconstruction process typically have a higher market value than those from other forms of demolition.
Elements of deconstruction have been used by demolition contractors for many years. Recycling of marketable materials easily removed from the mixed rubble has also been industry practice (especially concrete and metal). Deconstruction takes this a step further and concentrates on careful removal of architectural items, flooring, siding, windows, doors, bricks, plumbing fixtures, ceiling tiles and structural components.
The potential benefits of deconstruction include waste reduction, job creation, skill training, and preservation of historic and natural resources. Cost savings can be achieved in many cases dependent upon value of materials reused and recycled and the avoided disposal cost for the specific job.

Not all buildings are good candidates for deconstruction. Much of the removal of material is done by hand, and is thus labor and time intensive. An assessment of the value of the materials for reuse or recycling in the area must be done early in the planning process. Typically, materials used in construction prior to World War II have more salvage value. Some materials cannot be sold but still have value as tax-deductible contributions and to avoid disposal costs. Many traditional demolition contractors are embracing deconstruction and new companies are specializing in this work. Nonprofit organizations such as Habitat for Humanity are becoming involved. In many areas Habitat operates ReStores, selling new and used building materials received as donations. Contact Habitat Charlotte’s ReStore at (704)
392-4495 or visit their Web site at http://www.charlotterestore.org.
National Association of Home Builder’s Research Center: www.nahbrc.org
(type “deconstruction “ in the search field)
EPA Office of Solid Waste: www.epa.gov/epaoswer/non-hw/debris-new/reuse.htm
University of Florida Center for Construction and Environment: www.cce.ufl.edu/past/ deconstruction/index.html
Institute for Local Self-Reliance: http://www.ilsr.org/recycling/decon/index.html
Smart Buildings Deconstruction: Smart Demolition: www.smartgrowth.org/library/deconst_smart_ demol.html
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Mecklenburg County Waste Reduction www.wipeoutwaste.com
North Carolina Dept. of Pollution Prevention & Environmental Assistance www.p2pays.org
North Carolina Waste Trader www.ncwastetrader.org
National Association of Home Builders Research Center www.nahbrc.com
Construction Materials Recycling Association www.cdrecycling.org
Drywall www.drywallrecycling.org
Shingles www.shinglerecycling.org
Concrete www.concreterecycling.org
National Demolition Association (formerly NADC) www.demolitionassociation.com
Environmental Protection Agency / Office of Solid Waste www.epa.gov/osw/conserve/rrr/imr/cdm/index.htm
“Building Savings” publication www.ilsr.org/recycling/buildingdebris.pdf
California Integrated Waste Management Board www.ciwmb.ca.gov/ConDemo/
King County Solid Waste Division http://your.kingcounty.gov/solidwaste/greenbuilding/index.asp

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