Basics Of Construction Materials Recycling

By Alison Wilcox


With any building project, be it new construction or a remodel, there is the inevitable task of dealing with the waste and debris that are created. Dealing with this aspect of the project is many times one of the most difficult tasks, there is. It doesn't have to be that way though. It's easy to handle this post project waste when you consider the concept of construction materials recycling.

Among the most difficult issues to deal with is the disposal of sheet rock. This material can be highly pervasive to the surrounding environment, hard to handle, and usually in large abundance. The good news is that this is also among the easiest products to deal with as well. Participating companies offer programs where old gypsum based sheet rock can be turned into new sheet rock for use in future projects.

Another large-scale item that must be addressed in this regard is carpeting and other flooring. These items can easily be turned into other products such as paper products, industrial fabrics, and even in come case's plastics for use in manufacturing. Many times these items can also be re-purposed for use in other projects. Such options are a great way to help out charity organizations such as Habitat for Humanity. Such options may also be tax deductible and thus help offset project costs a little.

Charity resale outlets Such as the Habitat for Humanity ReSale store and others like it help to handle the disposal of some construction materials and fixtures. Large fixtures such as kitchen and bathroom sinks, lighting components, tubs and showers as well as toilets and urinals are all especially difficult to deal with. The good news is that these items can often be donated to charity construction firms and re-purposed to those of lower incomes or non-profit organizations. This concept not only helps the environment but also the community. The added benefit of tax deductibles helps to offset the cost to the project that the items came from.

Some items such as copper wire, plumbing components, windows and other items not only need to be handled carefully when being disposed of, but also have an intrinsic value as well. These items can often be sold off for re-manufacturing for a profit. This will help to offset the final cost of the building project that created them. This is a great way to lower building cost while helping out the community and the environment. It may, in and of itself, lead to other savings in the form of tax credits.

Construction debris can be both problematic as well as burdensome. In many jurisdictions, environmental laws require recycling of building waste. Failure to comply can lead to hefty fines and penalties. Effective handling of these items can prevent such violations and save the project large sums of money.

Many professional firms specialize in disposal of such building waste. The companies are able to handle any type of debris disposal easily and effectively. This is the easiest way of handling such concerns. With the use of one of these companies, one does not have to worry about dealing with such debris. It is handled by professionals who know how to do it best.

Construction materials recycling is an important concept to keep in mind as one reaches the end of any building project. In handling these items in proper and creative ways, a person cannot only save themselves money on their building budget, but also help the environment and possibly the community. The end of a project is the beginning of the cleanup. Making sure that the waste is handled appropriately is essential.




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