CDRA "roadmap" details strategies to increase C&D recycling

State and local governments can learn about techniques to increase the rates of recycling for construction and demolition (C&D) materials in a new document released by the C&D Recycling Association.

The "C&D Recycling Roadmap" provides a detailed explanation of the C&D industry, while also providing case studies of successful government programs that helped C&D recycling, as well as other proactive decisions governments can make to help divert from landfills the largest waste material stream in the United States.

Municipalities play a crucial role in supporting the growth of C&D recycling markets, financially and legislatively. Local governments can develop financial support programs to promote recycling facilities purchase advanced processing equipment, cover fees associated with permitting a new recycling facility or incentivize projects to use recycled materials instead of virgin materials. Legislative and regulatory opportunities include establishing ordinances that require haulers to drop materials off at certified recycling facilities prior to disposal, creating procurement policies that provide end markets, instituting disposal bans for certain C&D materials and requiring minimum diversion targets for construction and demolition projects.