Demolition
Demo of 1004 Central
The Basics
Construction and demolition (C&D) materials consist of the debris generated during the construction, renovation, and demolition of buildings, roads, and bridges. C&D materials often contain bulky, heavy materials, such as concrete, wood, metals, glass, and salvaged building components, many of which can be recycled. Reducing and recycling C&D materials conserves landfill space, reduces the environmental impact of producing new materials, creates jobs, and can reduce overall building project expenses through avoided purchase/disposal costs. (US EPA)
A variety of companies in and around Olympia will deliver a drop box or dumpster to a construction site and remove the container once it is full of C&D material. What exactly happens to that waste, however, can vary widely. Within Thurston County C&D waste is typically taken to the Thurston County Waste and Recovery Center. There, if staff see a significant amount of C&D waste in the container they may choose to divert the truck to the C&D recycle area where the container’s waste will be sorted into recyclable and non-recyclable material. If the C&D area is busy or closed, however, the truck is sent to the landfill area. Point being, there is often no assurance that the C&D waste generated by your project will be recycled when possible, even though there is a basic structure in place to do so.
Prior to our spur of the moment purchase of 1004 Central we had been planning a remodel on our existing home. In researching how to manage the C&D debris from that project we had arrived at the conclusion (after researching and consulting some waste-wise folks) to do the separation and/or salvage of our C&D waste on site.
Our plan was to take salvageable material to the Habitat ReStore or Olympia Salvage. Remaining wood (provided it was not painted or treated) would be recycled as yard waste. We would ideally work through the City of Olympia, our closest option, to do this. The City takes yard waste to Silver Springs Organics, where it is turned into compost. Another great option for recycling wood is Recovery 1 - they turn C&D debris into wood boiler fuel and mulch. Asphalt roofing shingles and vinyl siding would also be recycled. Some of the material could not be recycled, including insulation, painted/papered drywall and treated wood – currently the only option for this stuff is the landfill.
Our approach to waste management had to shift a bit with the project at 1004 Central. Unlike our current house, this new beast had significant chunks of lead, dry rot and bug damage, as well as some asbestos. These factors significantly affected what we could do with the material, and not in a good, waste-wise way.
What Goes Where
Here is an overview of where Olympia-area residents can take various C&D debris for recycle, reuse or landfill.
Organics
City of Olympia Organics/Yard Waste, Thurston County Waste and Recovery Center, Silver Springs Organics, Recovery 1
- Wood that is not painted or treated
- Note (2/16/10) – we recently discovered that Silver Springs organics is no longer taking drywall due to the smell of the compost generated from drywall.
Salvage
- Wood and other building material that can be re-used
- These vendors will take material with lead paint – they label it accordingly when it is re-sold
- Appliances and fixtures
- Think, in general, can it be re-used? Is it another person’s “treasure?” You may be surprised what all you can take to salvage. And, our local salvage organization (SPS Habitat) is a 501(C)(3) non-profit – this means your donations are fully tax-deductable and you are supporting a great cause.
Concrete Recycler
Woodworth & Company (no website)
- Asphalt roofing material
- Concrete (from foundation)
Plastics Recycler
- Vinyl siding
- Drywall
Landfill
Thurston County Waste and Recovery Center
- Insulation
- Painted/papered drywall
- Treated wood not desirable for salvage
- Hazardous waste
