A Guide to C&D Materials & Proper Recycling Methods

C&D (construction and demolition) materials are considered one of the largest components of solid waste in the United States. Although there are many effective ways to reuse these materials and recycling centers specifically built to take these items, it remains a problem in our country and beyond. One of the reasons may be that companies are not sure what C&D materials consist of and therefore do not know what can be (and should be) recycled. Read more about the importance of recycling for construction businesses. JJD Recycling LLC, a construction material recycling center in Philadelphia, highlights the 5 most common C&D materials found on construction and home improvement project job sites.

6 Common C&D Materials to Recycle

Concrete: Concrete is probably the most common C&D material as it is found on almost every single construction site in the world. When buildings, roadways and other various structures are demolished, thousands of tons of aggregate are left behind and dumped in landfills. However, concrete is actually one of the easiest materials to reuse at other job sites or recycle at a local concrete disposal center!

Asphalt: Asphalt from roadways is known for its ability to be recycled into roadway pavement that is of higher quality than its original form! Not only does the asphalt cement maintain its function as glue, but the rocks/sand/gavel in the original pavement is all preserved.

Bricks: Another common building material that almost always ends up taking up space in landfills. Recycled bricks can be used in landscaping, crushed into fine material to replace sand or made into new bricks.

Clean Fill: There is usually an abundance of excess dirt on a construction site that doesn’t serve much of a purpose to the project managers. Make sure you call your local clean fill dirt disposal center before dropping off this material. They adhere to strict standards and can deny your load if it is not in compliance.

Stripped Topsoil: When clearing out land to start a new build, topsoil is the first layer to be removed. While you can reuse the soil on the job site for retaining walls, gardening and leveling off the land. Another option is to dispose of the extra topsoil to be recycled and resold.

Salvaged Building Components: This includes roof shingles, glass, wood, doors, plumbing fixtures and more. While these are not as easy to reuse, there are many recycling centers who will accept these C&D materials and lessen our impact on the environment.

Importance of Recycling Construction & Demolition Waste

When you cannot repurpose materials from your construction site the most eco-friendly option is to recycle these materials at a center. Not only does this reduce space in landfills, it is also economically beneficial to your business. Learn the proper tips for construction waste recycling and do your part to give back to the planet starting today!