Educational Procurement Journal - December 2007 - (Page 19)

Raging Inexorable Thunderlizard for Change Many building materials such as lumber can be reused in their original form. Clean C&D wood can be laminated with plastic to make a decking material. However, this complicates future recycling. Wood chips can also be used in the making of compost and animal bedding. Natural debris can be ground up and used as mulch. The amount of wood waste that ends up in the landﬁll is considerably less than might be expected in part because municipalities have gone into the mulch business to mitigate the rapid loss in landﬁll capacity. This “waste equals food” approach allows many of the waste removal contractors to earn a respectable proﬁt by disposing of the material at a mulching operation rather than paying a landﬁll tipping fee. For some, this can be a substantial source of net income. In summary, C&D wood waste can be used in the following applications: An industrial fuel source Mulch Composting operations Animal bedding Landfill cover Some building products Cardboard Cardboard typically represents 11 percent to 30 percent of the C&D waste stream by volume. Corrugated cardboard, the most common packaging for building materials, is a key component of the C&D waste stream. Dry cardboard can be readily recycled, which is usually cost-effective for contractors because it reduces space in waste containers. For most campuses, a cardboard bailer is a cost-effective investment. Gypsum Drywall Gypsum drywall, by volume, comprises between 8 percent and 15 percent of jobsite waste. In 2003, U.S. manufacturers produced 31.5 billion square feet. Many landﬁlls prohibit gypsum drywall because of the hydrogen sulﬁde released as the product deteriorates. Clean gypsum board can be ground up and used in applications such as: A soil amendment to break up heavy clay soils A raw ingredient in the manufacture of Portland cement Animal bedding A bulking agent in composting Recycled drywall On-Site Disposal Wood, cardboard, and gypsum can also be ground on-site and applied to the construction site soil before it is landscaped. This can keep as much as 65 percent of jobsite waste out of landﬁlls. Because most authorities require evidence that this approach does not harm the soil or water, solid waste specialists must be consulted. Asphalt Shingles Asphalt shingles are nearly 60 percent of the shingle market in the United States and comprise approximately 6 percent of the C&D waste stream by volume. They can be recycled, crushed as aggregate for hot mix asphalt, or used as primary material for rural roads. They can also be ground on-site for base material in concrete ﬂatwork such as driveways and sidewalks. Bricks Bricks are a highly desirable product in the recycled stream. They are a source of crushed material to create high-quality ﬁll and base. Used bricks serve as architectural elements. Brick structures fuel an underground market in most urban areas. Brick’s value remains high regardless of age or condition. Concrete Concrete is one of the most successfully recycled materials in the world. The primary market is for base product in buildings and roads. Crushed concrete can also be used as primary surface material on rural roads and driveways, in drainage applications, and as ﬁll. Local markets depend on the vitality of construction and road-building, and on the availability of substitutes such as lime rock. Recycling concrete is a dirty business. The crushing equipment is expensive, and it produces large amounts of ﬁne particulate. Some communities have stringent zoning requirements. Metals Metal in the form of wiring (copper), siding (aluminum), fasteners (zinc, steel), HVAC equipment (copper, aluminum, gold), plumbing (copper), studs (steel), soft drink cans (aluminum) and roof ﬂashing (tin, copper, aluminum) account for a relatively small percentage of construction debris. Rarely is it landﬁlled, but more likely stolen. Copper and aluminum are routinely recycled by the tradesperson(s) performing the work. Even modest amounts of lowvalue metal can be readily recycled in the scrap metal market. Screened Materials Dirt and other materials screened from the C&D stream may contain fragments of wood, rock, paper, drywall, and plastic. Screened material can be used for construction ﬁll or as daily cover for landﬁlls. However, when large amounts of gypsum are present, hydrogen sulﬁde gas can create unpleasant odors for nearby neighborhoods. Miscellaneous Lavatories, commodes, windows, light ﬁxtures, mineral ﬁber ceiling tile, and ﬂooring such as tile (ceramic, vinyl) are part of the waste stream. Habitat for Humanity has a number of outlets (“ReStores”) that serve as nonproﬁt recycling and discount home improvement centers. They provide local markets for salvaged C&D materials. Both purchases and donations are handled at these stores. There are also private-sector stores that serve a similar need. Bottom Line There you have it. In your hands are many reduction and reuse opportunities. Think about including a speciﬁcation in your construction projects, requiring diversion of 75 percent of the C&D waste stream. Reduce harmful gas emissions in the process and promote cleaner air. “Remember: you, too, can do great things!” And this is yet another to consider. Brian K. Yeoman, Director of Education and Development at NAEP, is the retired Associate Vice President for Facilities Planning and Campus Development at the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston. e-Mail: byeoman@naepnet.org www.naepnet.org EDUCATIONAL PROCUREMENT JOURNAL 19 http://www.naepnet.org

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Educational Procurement Journal - December 2007

Educational Procurement Journal - December 2007 Contents Letter From the CEO: Sustainability in Higher Education Heard On the Streets Calculating Procurement's Value Cost-Per-Copy Contract and Site-Based Funding At a K-12 School District Bargain-Basement Solutions to Automate and Streamline Procurement Processes LEED & Leadership Certification Roamin' with Yeoman Best and Final

Educational Procurement Journal - December 2007

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