Click the following link to view the PDF of this paper: Management of Waste Generated from Building Demolition
Cheyenne J. Dashnaw, PE
Director of Environmental Services
Atlantic Testing Laboratories
Early buildings in America were primarily constructed of timber, stone, brick, and other materials readily sourced from the area local to the construction site. The utilization of mass-produced, synthetic, or engineered materials, as well as the transportation of materials over long distances, was not available at that time. Electrical and mechanical systems were absent, and plumbing, if present, was rudimentary. The source of heat was primarily incineration of timber materials. Waste resulting from the demolition of such structures, assuming these were not simply razed to the ground, was quite basic, with little consideration given to hazardous materials. Conversely, modern construction practices and technological advancements have significantly altered the composition of demolition waste.
As building systems have evolved to become more complex, the importance of evaluating waste streams and segregating different waste types has become more important and challenging. Regulations and guidelines now specify how certain wastes must be managed, either through recycling processes or specific disposal methods. Modern buildings contain varied materials and systems, making waste management a complex task that requires planning and adherence to applicable requirements.
Categorization of building-related wastes begins with defining broad waste categories and understanding the respective management strategies. Generally, wastes from buildings can be classified into construction and demolition (C&D) debris, contaminated non-hazardous wastes, municipal solid wastes (MSW), hazardous wastes, and electronic wastes (E-waste).
C&D debris usually constitutes the majority of waste materials generated by a structure. The definition of C&D debris encompasses uncontaminated solid waste resulting from construction, remodeling, repair, and demolition activities. The critical qualifier for classification under C&D debris is “uncontaminated,” meaning the waste does not contain undesirable constituents or hazardous materials. Waste types excluded from this classification would include the other aforementioned categories of wastes (contaminated non-hazardous wastes, MSW, hazardous wastes, and E-waste). Various management options are available for C&D debris, depending on material type; some may be suitable for reclamation, recycling, or reuse, whereas others are typically disposed of in landfills.
Waste classification, segregation, and management are more complex when dealing with materials outside the C&D debris category. Contamination of building materials can originate from applications of treatments, coatings, adhesives, or resins that contain chemicals posing health and/or environmental risks. Examples include lead-based paint and wood preservatives. Hazardous materials, such as asbestos, toxic metals, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), and biological wastes, may require specialized abatement or remediation procedures, with separate waste streams characterized and disposed of according to specific criteria. Some wastes containing hazardous materials may not be officially classified as regulated hazardous waste but still require careful handling. Conversely, certain wastes containing hazardous materials will be classified as regulated hazardous waste based on sampling and analysis, or assumptions derived from historical or manufacturing data. E-waste typically falls under hazardous waste; however, recycling options provide environmentally responsible disposal alternatives.
With a comprehensive understanding of broad waste categories, building-related wastes can be further evaluated to develop effective segregation, handling, and disposal strategies. One approach involves examining the structure in a similar manner to how it was originally designed and constructed. Different building systems, such as structural, mechanical, electrical, plumbing, fire protection, and data communication, have unique components to consider. For instance, electrical systems may include transformers, capacitors, and lamps, which could be classified as hazardous waste. Mechanical systems might contain switches, thermostats, and gauges with mercury, and fire protection systems may incorporate smoke detectors with radioactive materials. Employing a building system-specific waste evaluation facilitates a systematic review of existing materials and components, culminating in a comprehensive plan for the management of all affected materials.
Regardless of the scope of planned work, conducting a pre-project hazardous materials survey is invaluable in identifying building materials or system components that contain or are suspected of containing hazardous substances. For projects requiring hazardous materials assessment or waste characterization, ATL offers experienced environmental professionals across New York State capable of conducting such evaluations and providing related services.
For more information, contact Cheyenne Dashnaw, PE at 315-386-4578, info@atlantictesting.com, or visit www.AtlanticTesting.com.
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