Updated February 1, 2024
Reusing, recycling, donating, and selling materials are all great ways to reduce the amount of waste generated during construction and demolition (C&D) projects.
Reduce the amount of C&D debris you haul to the landfill to save money and help the environment.
We'll go over several methods for reducing the amount of debris your C&D projects generate.
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Reduce Waste on Construction Sites
Wood
Utilize odd-sized scrap wood in small spaces or for other purposes on-site to minimize waste.
Organize pieces by size and material to make them easy-to-find when you need them, or easy to organize for those that buy or receive the pieces as a donation.
If you have large amount of scrap wood, clean loading a dumpster rental is a great way to manage any type of recyclable waste.
Drywall
Save any drywall cutoffs you have; they can be used in small spaces.
Most drywall suppliers will back-haul scraps and use them in new drywall production, so it doesn't hurt to ask if they'll recycle your leftover drywall.
Clean loading a dumpster with drywall is also a solution for bulk amounts of this type of debris.
Keep reading: The Best Ways to Get Rid of Leftover Drywall
Solvents & Paint
Opt for water-based or low volatile organic compound paint, joint compounds, sealants, and adhesives.
Use lidded containers to store these in order to prevent product evaporation.
Prepare small test batches of solvents and coatings, and reclaim products for reuse whenever possible. If not, work with a recycling company.
Organize painting schedules so that there is minimal need to clean equipment, whether between color changes or shifts.
Reduce Waste on Demolition Sites
Deconstruction is the careful disassembly of structures in order to salvage materials that can be reused or recycled. While deconstruction is typically labor-intensive, the economic and environmental benefits make it worthwhile in many cases.
Learn more: Deconstruction vs Demolition: When to Deconstruct a Building
Commonly Salvaged Materials
- Brick
- Wood
- Windows
- Doors
- Cabinets
- Trim
Reuse, Donate, or Sell
Most scrap materials can be reused or refurbished in some way, and so can a majority of functional architectural components.
This is an extremely cost-efficient practice, as it minimizes or eliminates disposal fees and purchase costs and you can save reusable components for your next project.
If you don't have a use for them and don't know anyone else who does either, you can donate or sell the materials instead.
There are so many items that can be salvaged from a demolition or remodeling project.
Doors, cabinets, fixtures, hardware, bannisters, trim, tile, bricks—all these things can be reused.
Even if the material and debris that is recovered from a deconstruction can't be reused, utilizing a recycling dumpster is a cost-effective way to reduce disposal costs and divert waste from entering local landfills.
Find recycling dumpsters in your area by searching on Hometown Dumpster Rental. We publish locally-owned dumpster companies across the U.S. to help consumers find services in their area that are licensed and insured.
Request free dumpster rental quotes by filling out our single quote request form and choosing up to three providers to send your quote request to. Receiving and comparing multiple quotes helps you choose the best service in your area by comparing price, customer service, and availability.
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Protect the Environment
Not only does it save you money to salvage materials, but it also diverts waste from the landfill and reduces pollution, which are both very important.
It's important for homeowners and business owners to do everything they can to minimize the amount of waste they send to the dump, especially C&D debris.
Recycle, reuse, refurbish, donate, or sell before considering the landfill.
You can find local environmentally-friendly demolition contractors by searching your zip code on Hometown.
With the click of a button, you'll be shown licensed and reputable demolition contractors that service your area and will be happy to provide you with free project estimates. Get multiple quotes to compare disposal methods, pricing, customer service, and more.
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