This information will assist builders or developers through the many environmental considerations and issues which may come into play when designing or building new structures or developing land.

The Costs of Mismanagement

The mismanagement of construction waste and surplus construction material costs everybody money. If you are a builder or developer then you must be all too well aware of the fact that you have bought and paid for every piece of material that goes into that dumpster and is hauled to the landfill. The more waste you create on a job site, the more of your money you are throwing away.

The illegal dumping of waste materials in the City's parks or on publicly owned property and street allowances costs tens of thousands of dollars each year to clean up. Dispose of waste materials at approved disposal sites and always keep your receipt for proof. Anyone caught illegally dumping this material is subject to substantial fines.

Even when properly handled, waste costs us money. Transfer stations and landfills are expensive to operate now and their long term impact on the environment may cost us even more in years to come. In addition, many landfills will be reaching their design capacity in the near future.

Don't Hide the Problem

Burying gypsum board (drywall), paint and other waste materials on your construction site is not an acceptable method of disposal. These materials will contaminate the soil and ground water. They may also cause differential ground settlement which will give rise to structural problems in the future. Don't hide your problems or pass them on to future generations. It's your waste - manage it properly!

Demolition

The following is a list of potentially hazardous materials which require proper disposal when a building is to undergo demolition.

Waste Management Action Plan

The attached Waste Management Action Plan for the residential building industry has been prepared and provided by the Canadian Mortgage and Housing Corporation - [NEW WINDOW]. This document will assist those people involved in the construction industry to reduce the waste generated on their construction sites. It emphasizes that with careful planning many wastes can be avoided and it provides insights on how to handle wastes which are generated in an environmentally sound and friendly way.

This handout does not cover all the issues, answers or solutions. Each development project is site specific involving a variety of different concerns and issues. This document will guide you in the development of an action plan for responsible waste management. In every case it is the owner or his agent's responsibility to ensure that all waste products generated by a construction project on a property are handled and disposed of in conformance with the applicable environmental regulations. The attached information has been assembled by the CMHC and is provided by the City of Burnaby as a service only. The Housing Corporation and the City accept no responsibility whatsoever for its completeness or accuracy.

More Information

For additional information on the management and disposal of construction waste, including the most current recycling opportunities and appropriate disposal sites, call the B.C. Recycling Hot Line - [NEW WINDOW] at R-E-C-Y-C-L-E (604.732.9253).

CMHC SCHL Helping to house Canadians

WASTE MANAGEMENT ACTION PLAN For the Residential Building Industry Helping to house Canadians

Introduction
A Waste Management Action Plan (Way-MAP) makes construction activity more environmentally friendly by reducing the amount of waste sent to landfills. Existing landfill space is quite limited in most urban centres and numerous environmental problems including water contamination and gas emissions are associated with landfills. The environmental and economic advantages which occur when wastes are diverted from landfills include: conservation of raw materials and energy, reduction in the cost of waste disposal, and in most cases any additional costs of waste management go towards employing a person on site instead of paying for materials to fill up a hole in the ground. Add to that the efficient use of materials on site and public relations value of a clean site where wastes are managed in an environmentally sound way, and it becomes difficult to ignore the importance of sound waste management.

Key Principles
The main focus of this Way-MAP is to reduce waste generation on site. With careful planning, many wastes can be avoided. Any wastes which are generated are to be handled in the most environmentally sound way, according to the 3R hierarchy of REDUCE, REUSE, and RECYCLE.

REDUCE

REUSE

RECYCLE

Recycling of Materials
Virtually all the materials generated on a construction site can be recycled. However each municipality will have different opportunities to recycle wastes depending on local economic and environmental conditions.

Wastes must be kept clean and separated to maintain their reusability or recyclability. Separation can occur after a mixed bin of wastes is taken away from a construction site; however, the efficiency of recycling and the value of materials is increased if wastes are separated at source.

The major types of construction materials are listed below, organized roughly according to market value for the recycled product.

Waste Management Action Plan Checklist
This checklist outlines the 10 steps which are necessary to re-position your company to effectively manage your construction waste stream. The checklist is to serve as a quick guide to organize your note taking and development a plan which is specific to your company. More information is provided int the detailed list of steps which follow.

Suggestions on How to Get The Best Way-MAP For Your Company.
The following checklist includes suggestions on how to complete each step of a Way-MAP. Different people may need to be involved at each stage and the checklist lists possible personnel to complete each step. Completing a thorough Way-MAP for a project will make future Way-MAP's easier to do and more effective.

1. Designate person responsible for waste management.

Action: Designate a waste management person (WMP) to manage waste recycling and disposal. Typically the WMP would be the site manager, or an employee who's job includes site clean-up on one or several sites. He or she will need the authority or the backing of managers, in order to have an influence on site workers and waste hauling personnel. This person would have the following responsibilities:

• oversee that the waste management system is running efficiently,
• ensure that contamination is not occurring,
• ensure that the appropriate people are cleaning up their wastes, and
• coordinate the storage of materials on site so that theft and damage do not occur.

The waste management person could also be responsible for documenting all waste management activities so that accurate cost comparisons can be made between waste management alternatives. Helping with cost accounting will make the WMP more sensitive to new opportunities to reduce costs.

Set up communication links with all pertinent persons who can influence waste management. Ask these people for suggestions and input on the Way-MAP and incorporate these into waste management activities carried out on site.

Personnel Involved: designer, materials buyer, site workers, site waste management specialist, subtrades, client, waste haulers, recycling companies.

2. Examine Design In Terms of Efficient Material Use.

Action: Review designs in terms of environmental friendliness and waste generation. During the review session, keep the following rules in mind:

• Favour designs using standard sizes (eg. 8 ft. Lengths).
• Favour the use of materials which are made from recycled materials and are recyclable.
• Favour durable materials which are energy saving. (eg. Low flush toilets or energy efficient appliances)
• Reuse materials from renovation or demolition sites. (Eg. Used fixtures).
• Look for opportunities to reuse materials on site (eg. Forming lumber as sheathing).

Personnel Involved: designer, contractor, client, materials purchaser.

3. Evaluate Materials Ordering and Storage Procedures on Site.

Action: Identify how materials are wasted on site. Investigate storage methods in terms of preventing damage from careless handling and weather. (Eg. Using plastic to cover bags of mortar and careful stacking of bricks and blocks so that they are not lost in the mud and become backfill. Materials which are ordered just before they are needed are less likely to be damaged or stolen.

Personnel Involved: site superintendent, site labourers, materials purchaser.

4. Evaluate site layout.

Action: Analyze where new, reusable and waste materials can be stored on site. Design a site layout with enough room for all materials which are generated on site. The size and location of the site will significantly impact how wastes can be managed on site. If waste is to be left in piles, larger amounts of room are needed or regular pick-up of the wastes are required. What is the potential for contamination. Bins in downtown areas seem to be much more prone to contamination and therefore may need to be locked or guarded if they are to hold recyclables. It also may be advantageous to provide some piles for reusable scraps so that subtrades can easily locate them. (Eg. A pile of lumber of lengths which could be used for bridging or backing, and a pile of scrap sheet metal which could be reused for patches).

Personnel Involved: site superintendent, site labourers, WMP.

5. Estimate Waste Production on Site.

Action: Estimate the amounts and types of recyclable and non-recyclable wastes which are expected to be generated on site. Go through the checklist of recyclable wastes. The proportion of the waste stream (by volume) for residential construction breaks down as follows:

List all the expected quantities of each type of waste. This should give an indication of what type of management activities are appropriate for the specified wastes.

Personnel Involved: site superintendent, waste hauler, book keeper (or someone good with numbers).

6. Investigate waste disposal options.

6.1 Local landfill bans and regulations

Action: Phone the local environmental authority to find out if any materials are banned from landfill disposal or materials which must be specially handled. Regulations change quite frequently these days, so be sure you are up to date. Ask about upcoming bans. (Eg. liquid wastes, or recyclable wastes banned from landfill disposal). What are the required handling procedures for these wastes.

Personnel Involved: site superintendent or WMP.

7. Investigate waste separation, storage and transportation systems

Action: Make a list of all the options available for handling the waste stream from your construction site. Not all of these options are possible every site. And the possibilities may vary throughout the job. For example: a separate bin for wood may make sense during the forming and framing stage; a small independent waste hauler might be hired to clean-up and remove all gypsum from the site; and a separate bin might be ordered during the finishing stage especially for cardboard.

Investigate which separation system is best for your site. Keep in mind that for materials to have a recyclable value, they must ultimately be clean and separated. At least four approaches should be considered:

8. Develop a system of worker incentives.

Action: Encourage workers to change their attitudes towards waste management. Workers must become aware of the environmental and economics of waste recycling. A meeting should occur to inform workers and gather their input on the proposed waste management activities. If a plan is to be successful, the participation of the workers who will actually be doing the sorting is necessary. A system of carrots and sticks usually works best.. For example:

• throw a party with the money recovered from selling recyclable materials;
• reward workers who come up with environmentally friendly suggestions;
• institute a system of warnings and penalties for non-compliance with waste management programs;
• back charge any trades who fail to comply with contract requirements to clean up or manage waste; and
• suggest to contractors that you may only deal with workers who manage their waste in environmentally sound ways (see how they respond).

Personnel Involved: site superintendent, sub-contractors, waste hauling companies, site labourers.

9. Choose a strategy for each phase of construction.
You should now have a good idea of what waste materials will be generated and what kind of system will be set up to deal with the various waste materials. At each stage of construction, there are specific ways to REDUCE, REUSE and RECYCLE the wastes which are produced.

Phase 1 LANDCLEARING
Materials Produced: soil, wood, vegetation

Action: REDUCE: Minimize disruption to existing vegetation and soils. Limit the use of large machinery which damages soils and vegetation.
REUSE: Excavated soils and trees can be used for final landscaping of site. Mulch vegetation on site for landscape materials if possible. Send trees for processing as lumber or pulp.

Personnel Involved: site superintendent, landscape architect, landclearing contractor, waste haulers.

Phase 2 EXCAVATION
Materials Produced: soil, contaminated soil

Action: REDUCE: Limit the amount of excavation needed in order to limit soil disturbance.
REUSE: Excavated materials can be used as backfill or landscaping. If contaminated soils are a possibility, hire an engineering consultant before you start.

Personnel Involved: site superintendent, excavation contractor, architect, soils consultant.

Phase 3 FOUNDATION WORK
Materials Produced: wood, metal concrete

Action: REDUCE: Cut forms carefully and carefully order concrete.
REUSE: Specify reusable forms. (e.g. oiled ship lap) Utilize excess concrete brought to site for parking stops etc. Sell used forming lumber to other sites.
RECYCLE: Sell rebar for scrap. Send waste wood to a processing facility.

Personnel Involved: site superintendent, forming contractor, waste haulers.

Phase 4 FRAMING
Materials Produced: wood

Action: REDUCE: Use advanced framing techniques which require 10-15% less wood by having larger spans between studs and using 2 or 3 studs in a corner instead of 4. Design using standard sizes to reduce cutting waste. Use prefab wall, roof and floor systems. These systems mean that most of the waste is produced in a central location where it can more easily be recycled and there is less waste on site for the general contractor to haul away.
REUSE: Pile end cuts for use as bridging and backing. Organize a central cutting area so that all reusable cuttings can be easily piled and located when needed. Use timber which has been recovered from demolished buildings. Used timbers cost approximately 50% of the cost of new and are available at some old building material supply stores.
RECYCLE: Send wood to recycling facility to make chips for pulp, composite wood products, fuel pellets etc. Wood can also be ground for landscape material or compost. Another way to get rid of wood scraps is to give it away as firewood to employees or local residents.

Personnel Involved: site superintendent, designer, framing subcontractor, site labourers, waste haulers.

Phase 5 METAL WORK - HVAC WIRING
Materials Produced: metal

Action: REDUCE: Measure and cut carefully.
REUSE: Use second-hand materials (e.g. Used circuit breaker boxes from used building material supply stores). If materials are cut in a central location and reusable cuttings stored in a separate pile it makes it easy for a tradesman to locate a small piece for a repair.
RECYCLE: Send scrap materials to be remelted.

Personnel Involved: site superintendent, metalwork sub-contractor, site labourers, waste haulers.

Phase 6 PLUMBING
Materials Produced: metal, plastics, waste solvents

Action: REUSE: Fixtures from old buildings can be reused where appropriate.
RECYCLE: Used fixtures, scrap metals and plastics.

Personnel Involved: site superintendent, plumbing sub-contractor, site labourers, waste haulers.

Phase 7 INSULATION
Materials Produced: various

Action: REDUCE: Use prefab wall systems with insulation already included, or use blown in batt/cellulose in walls.
REUSE: Use scrap insulation to insulate attic or as sound proofing on interior walls. (Care should be taken to ensure insulation does not interfere with future electrical work.)
RECYCLE: Special insulation made from recycled materials (e.g. use cellulose insulation with recycled content where appropriate, or blown in mineral fibre).

Personnel Involved: designer, site superintendent, insulation contractor.

Phase 8 DRYWALL
Materials Produced: gypsum wallboard, cardboard mud boxes

Action: REDUCE: Design using standard sizes.
REUSE: Use scraps for patches.
RECYCLE: Send materials to a recycling depot. (In some major centres, drywall is banned from landfill disposal.)

Personnel Involved: designer, drywall contractor, site superintendent site labourers, waste haulers.

Phase 9 PAINT Materials Produced:
paint solvents

Action: REDUCE: Avoid atmospheric pollution by using paints without formaldehyde or petroleum derivatives.
REUSE: Use leftover paint as undercoating on next job. RECYCLE: Send excess paints and solvents to a recycling plant. Send non-recyclable liquid wastes to a proper disposal facility for incineration. Send empty paint cans for recycling.

Personnel Involved: designer, site superintendent, painter, hazardous waste hauler.

Phase 10 EXTERIOR FINISHING
Materials Produced: wood, brick, masonry, vinyl, stucco

Action: REDUCE: Cut and measure carefully. Design using standard sizes. Store materials carefully to prevent damage.
REUSE: Salvage bricks and blocks from demolition projects. Broken bricks and blocks can be used as backfill in some cases.
RECYCLE: Send vinyl and aluminum siding, and rubble from recycling facilities.

Personnel Involved: site superintendent, sub-contractor, waste haulers.

Phase 11 ROOFING
Materials Produced: asphalt shingles, cedar shakes, cement tiles

Action: REDUCE: Store, measure and cut materials carefully.
REUSE: Use concrete tiles as fill.
RECYCLE: Send asphalt shingles to a local recycling facility if one exists.

Personnel Involved: site superintendent, roofing sub-contractor.

Phase 12 DEMOLITION
Materials Produced: various

Action: REDUCE: Favour renovation over demolition where appropriate.
REUSE: Strip home of fixtures, hardwoods, large dimension timbers, and anything else of resale value.
RECYCLE: Salvage metal plumbing, ducting and other non- reusable appliances. Separate non-reusable wood for grinding for chipping for fibre. Send concrete to be crushed and recycled as road base.

Personnel Involved: demolition contractor, waste haulers, site labourers, designer, recycling companies.

10. Count your money and time.
No plan is complete without an evaluation stage. Records of clean-up time, bin rental costs, trucking and disposal costs, and refund from recycling materials should be evaluated against previous practices. Review will likely be an ongoing procedure as new companies develop to recycle different wastes, landfill bans effect what can be disposed, and new technologies become available which influence waste production and management. A plan should be evaluated to ensure what should be an ongoing process as the markets for recyclable materials are dynamic and should be regularly monitored for new opportunities.

The table below should help to evaluate the economic benefits.

Material Laboour Cost Disposal Cost Bin Rental Trucking Total wood           gypsum           metals           asphalt           brick and blocks           plastics           fibreglass           cardboard           used fixtures           metal waste           other