Whether remodeling or building from scratch, waste materials are generated every step of the way. Construction site recycling is being done throughout the area.  Many of the materials arriving at a construction site come in cardboard boxes, easily recycled at home or at many businesses,and at many construction sites. Wires,wood, bricks, concrete, stone and metal are all common items found at both new construction sites and in the piles of rubble at demolition sites. Most of it can be recycled, saving landfill space, valuable natural resources, energy and often transportation costs. Beyond these savings, the small investment of time to sort materials or make arrangements with a specialty recycler, results in financial savings.

When replacing an appliance, the old one is recycled by businesses dedicated to separating the different metals, wiring and other components (such as CFCs in refrigerators or mercury switches in some stoves). This practice of recycling appliances has created jobs, saved landfill space, recovered valuable natural resources and protected the environment from improper disposal of hazardous materials.  The same concept can be applied to building renovation and demolition projects.

Businesses have been created to "gut" homes and buildings of items such as lighting fixtures, doors and knobs, electrical outlets, wiring, windows and more.  What remains may be further dismantled, subject to a wrecking ball, or possibly imploding. Regardless, what remains can also be recycled.

When replacing an asphalt shingle roof, request the old shingles be recycled. In 2010, 5% of the asphalt laid down by the State of Illinois was made from old shingles. Each year, dozens of companies report to Will County on their success recycling:

• Aluminum
• Asphalt (pavement)
• Brick
• Carpet/Carpet Padding
• Concrete
• Drywall
• Gravel
• Metal
• Roofing Material
• Steel
• Stone
• Wiring
• Wood

Use the Green Guide Database to find companies to recycle your unwanted construction or demolition materials. Know of a company or a material not listed, Contact Us with the information.

To learn more about Construction and Demolition Recycling, known as C&D recycling, check these websites:
Illinois EPA Small Business Construction & Debris
C&D publications