Construction and Demolition Waste Management

This two-hour course focuses on reducing and managing construction and demolition waste. The course begins with a discussion on the magnitude and impact of construction waste generation and the efforts to reduce it before diving into specific strategies (recycling, reusing, reducing, salvaging, etc.), to reduce waste.

Then, the course will discuss best practices in waste management and how to educate teams to maximize the impact and efficiency of these practices.

Participants will explore the motivations behind waste diversion, including the financial benefits of reduced disposal costs, compliance with increasing municipal bans and recycling ordinances, and the growing demand for Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) reporting. The course emphasizes that waste management is not just an environmental concern but a viable business strategy that benefits the triple bottom line: people, planet, and profit.

Beyond the theoretical foundations, this course offers practical, on-site management techniques. It details the core management concepts necessary for success, such as the vital role of pre-construction planning, understanding local recycling markets, and the logistical challenges of material separation. Learners will discover how to navigate client requirements, including green building certifications, and how to effectively communicate goals to subcontractors to ensure compliance and purity of recyclable materials.

This course covers the following key topics:

• The environmental and economic impacts of C&D waste and the benefits of diversion over landfilling.
• Differences between standard demolition and deconstruction, including salvage and reuse opportunities.
• Navigating the regulatory landscape, including landfill bans, mandatory recycling ordinances, and client-driven requirements.
• Strategies for identifying recyclable materials, such as concrete, metal, wood, and drywall, and understanding market limitations.
• Best practices for on-site operations, including dumpster signage, contamination prevention, and team communication.
• Methods for accurate tracking, auditing, and reporting diversion rates to validate project success.

By the end of this presentation, industry professionals will be equipped with the knowledge to develop robust waste management plans that meet regulatory standards and maximize material recovery. Whether managing a large-scale new construction project or an interior renovation, participants will learn how to turn waste into a resource, reducing environmental footprints while optimizing project economics.