Question 1

Does my city require C&D waste diversion?

Accepted Answer

An increasing number of cities mandate C&D diversion, including San Francisco (75%), Portland (85%), NYC, Seattle, San Jose, Boulder, and many others. State-level requirements exist in California, Oregon, Massachusetts, and elsewhere. Contact us with your project location and we'll confirm requirements.

Question 2

What is a C&D waste management plan?

Accepted Answer

A document required by some jurisdictions before issuing building permits. It describes: estimated waste types and quantities, planned diversion strategies (recycling, reuse, source separation), designated haulers and processing facilities, and diversion rate targets. We prepare these plans as part of our C&D service.

Question 3

What C&D materials can be recycled?

Accepted Answer

Concrete and masonry (crushed for aggregate), metals (sold at market rates), wood (chipped for mulch or biomass), cardboard (from materials packaging), asphalt (recycled into new pavement), drywall (some facilities accept clean drywall), and roofing (asphalt shingles recycled into road material).

Question 4

What about concrete and heavy debris?

Accepted Answer

Concrete, brick, and masonry require "heavy debris" containers (typically 10-15 yard) due to weight limits. These materials are 100% recyclable — crushed into aggregate for road base, backfill, and new concrete mixes. Mixing heavy debris with general waste triggers overweight surcharges.

Question 5

How do you achieve high diversion rates?

Accepted Answer

Two approaches: source separation on site (separate containers for concrete, metals, wood, general — achieves 80%+) and mixed-load processing (everything in one container, sorted at the facility — achieves 50-75%). The best approach depends on your site space, project type, and local requirements.

Question 6

Can I get LEED credits for C&D diversion?

Accepted Answer

Yes. LEED v4 MR Credit: Construction and Demolition Waste Management awards 1 point for 50% diversion and 2 points for 75% diversion (by weight). We provide weight tickets, processing facility certifications, and diversion calculations in LEED-submittal format.

Question 7

What about asbestos and lead paint?

Accepted Answer

These are regulated hazardous materials requiring licensed abatement before demolition or renovation. We coordinate with licensed abatement contractors and provide manifested hazardous waste transportation for removed materials.

Question 8

How do you document diversion rates?

Accepted Answer

Weight tickets from certified scales for every load hauled. Processing facility reports showing what percentage of mixed loads was recycled vs landfilled. Summary calculations showing total project diversion rate. All compiled into a documentation package for permit closeout or LEED submission.

Question 9

What size dumpsters do construction projects need?

Accepted Answer

Varies by project: 10-15 yard for heavy debris (concrete), 20-yard for residential renovation, 30-40 yard for commercial construction and demolition. Source separation requires multiple smaller containers. We recommend the right mix based on project scope.

Question 10

How quickly can you deliver containers?

Accepted Answer

Most markets: next-day delivery. Same-day available in major metros. We coordinate swap schedules with your project timeline so there's never a gap when containers fill up.

Question 11

What if we generate hazardous waste during demo?

Accepted Answer

Demolition of older buildings commonly exposes lead paint, asbestos, PCBs, and fluorescent fixtures. These materials cannot go in standard C&D dumpsters. We provide licensed hazardous waste handling with separate containers, manifesting, and permitted disposal.

Question 12

How does source separation work on a job site?

Accepted Answer

Dedicated containers labeled for specific materials: clean concrete, metals, wood, cardboard, and mixed debris. Subcontractors are briefed on sorting requirements. We provide signage for each container. Regular monitoring to prevent contamination.

Question 13

Does recycling C&D waste cost more than landfilling?

Accepted Answer

Often less. Landfill tipping fees for C&D waste range $30-$100+/ton. Concrete recycling is often free or low-cost. Metals generate revenue. Wood chipping is typically cheaper than landfill. Mixed-load processing is comparable to landfill. Source separation provides the best economics.

Question 14

What happens at final inspection?

Accepted Answer

Municipal inspectors review your waste management documentation to verify diversion rate compliance. We provide a compiled package: waste management plan, weight tickets, processing facility reports, and diversion rate calculations. Our clients consistently pass final inspection.

Question 15

Can you manage waste for multiple projects simultaneously?

Accepted Answer

Yes. General contractors with multiple active projects get a dedicated account manager, centralized billing, and project-by-project tracking. Container logistics and hauling are coordinated across all sites.

C&D Waste Compliance — FAQ