Construction Waste Galore!

Construction Waste and Its Environmental Impact – Something Must Be Done!

People generate a lot of waste through paper, packaging, remodeling, obsolete materials, increasing the trash in our landfills.

Construction activity also generates a lot of waste.

Consider these facts according to the 2008 Buildings Energy Data Book:  (LINK http://buildingsdatabook.eere.energy.gov/)

2 to 7 tons: the amount of total waste generated during the construction of a new single-family detached house.

15 to 70 pounds: the amount of hazardous waste generated during the construction of a single-family detached house.

30 to 35 million tons: the amount of annual waste U.S. builders produce in construction, renovation, and demolition.

24 percent: the approximate annual percentage of construction and demolition debris of the municipal solid waste.

27 percent: the total percentage of wood construction waste.

73 percent: the total percentage of other construction materials waste that includes cardboard and paper; drywall/plaster; insulation; siding; roofing; metal; concrete, asphalt, masonry, bricks, and dirt rubble; waterproofing materials; and landscaping material.

95 percent: the percentage of buildings-related construction waste that is recyclable, with most materials being clean and unmixed.

A typical 2,000 square-foot single-family home can produce the following construction waste:

Solid sawn wood               1,600 pounds

Engineering wood 1,400 pounds

Drywall                            2,000 pounds

Masonry                           1,000 pounds

Yiaks!  We all need to do our little part!

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