How Construction and Demolition Waste Recycling Cuts Carbon and Costs
Construction and demolition (C&D) debris is one of the largest waste streams in the United States. The U.S. EPA estimates that 600 million tons of C&D waste were generated in 2018—more than twice the quantity of municipal solid waste—and that over 90 % of this debris comes from demolition rather than new construction. Although some of this material is recovered, about 145 million tons still goes to landfil. Finding ways to reduce and recycle this waste is therefore not just environmentally sensible; it’s an economic imperative.
What’s in C&D Waste?
C&D materials include concrete, wood, asphalt, drywall, metals, bricks, glass, and plastics. These materials are resource‑intensive to produce; building materials such as concrete, steel, and aluminum account for roughly 20 % of global greenhouse‑gas emissions. Reusing or recycling them reduces the need to extract, transport, and manufacture virgin materials, which in turn cuts both costs and carbon footprints.
Why Recycle C&D Waste?
1. Lower Disposal and Material Costs
Rising landfill fees: Tipping fees are increasing as landfill space shrinks. In some U.S. regions, fees have climbed from the low $40s to nearly $70 per ton in five years, and experts project they could hit $100 per ton within five years. Recycling diverts materials away from expensive disposal.
Cheaper materials: Using recycled materials often costs less. A University of Wisconsin study on highway construction found that recycled asphalt shingles saved up to $98 per ton, recycled fly ash up to $66 per ton, and recycled asphalt pavement (RAP) saved between $5.72 and $16.26 per ton compared with virgin materials. Across six states, total economic savings from using recycled materials reached $62.5 million.
2. Reduced Energy Use and Carbon Emissions
Manufacturing from recycled materials requires far less energy than producing from raw resources. U.S. EPA data show:
Recycling aluminum uses less than 5 % of the energy needed to make aluminum from ore.
Recycling steel saves between 60 and 74 % of the energy used to produce virgin steel.
Producing glass from recycled cullet uses 30 % less energy than making it from raw sand.
Recycled paper requires about 60 % of the energy needed to produce paper from virgin wood pulp.
Lower energy use translates directly into lower greenhouse gas emissions. In the same University of Wisconsin study, state transportation departments reported CO₂ savings of 20,975 to 70,178 metric tons and energy savings of 344 to 1,171 terajoules from using recycled materials. These environmental savings were equivalent to the emissions of 58,000 cars and the energy use of 110,000 U.S. households.
3. Job Creation and Local Economic Activity
Recycling and reuse support local businesses and create more jobs than landfilling. For instance, the EPA reported that recycling C&D materials created about 175,000 jobs in 2012epa.gov. Local deconstruction and recycling industries keep materials and money circulating within the community.
Implementing C&D Waste Recycling
Effective C&D recycling starts with a waste audit. A professional audit identifies which materials (concrete, metals, wood, drywall, etc.) are being discarded, measures their quantities, and determines how much could be reused or recycled. This data informs a practical diversion plan, ensuring that high‑value materials are salvaged and contaminants are minimized.
Other best practices include:
Deconstruction over demolition: Carefully dismantling structures to salvage materials rather than quickly demolishing them. Deconstruction maximizes material recovery.
Onsite sorting and storage: Separating materials at the job site reduces contamination and increases their value.
Partnering with recyclers: Establish relationships with local facilities that accept concrete, metals, wood, and asphalt.
Designing for disassembly: Plan new buildings so they can be taken apart and materials reused at end of life, reducing future waste.
Wilmot Inc. specializes in C&D waste consulting and triple‑bottom‑line (TBL) sustainability. Our services can provide:
Waste and recycling audits: We measure your waste streams to identify recyclable and reusable materials.
Waste diversion and recycling programs: We design tailored plans to recycle concrete, metals, wood, and other C&D materials, helping you avoid costly disposal fees.
Deconstruction and reuse planning: We advise on careful dismantling, salvage, and donation strategies that can turn waste into savings.
Embodied carbon analysis: We quantify the greenhouse‑gas savings from using recycled materials, aligning your projects with low‑carbon goals.
By focusing on practical economics and measurable environmental benefits—not buzzwords—our team helps clients reduce costs, cut carbon emissions, and build reputational value. Explore how Wilmot can turn your C&D waste into savings and sustainability at wilmotinc.com.