Construction & Demolition Recycling

The Department of Environment promotes the responsible separation and recycling of construction and demolition (C&D) debris to help contractors and individuals save on costly disposal fees while protecting the environment.

City Ordinance requires 50% recycling in 2007

In 2005, the Chicago City Council passed amendments to the Construction or Demolition Site Waste Recycling Ordinance to increase the amount of C&D debris that is recycled in Chicago. Starting with building and wrecking permits applied for March 1, 2006, contractors must keep track of how much waste is generated at project sites and strive to meet the recycling goals set forth in the new ordinance. In 2006, the goal was 25%.

• Beginning with permits applied for January 1, 2007, contractors must recycle 50% of the C&D debris generated at a job site.

Recycling compliance forms will be handed out at the Department of Buildings (DOB)at the time of permit issuance and may also be viewed and printed by clicking on the link below. Contractors must fill out the form and return it at DOB at the end of each project, together with an affidavit (also available below) from the waste hauler or recycler, if applicable.

Please see the text of the ordinance to find out which projects must comply and how compliance will be enforced. See also the C&D Recycling Rules and Regulations (linked below) for more information about documenting compliance with the C&D recycling requirements.

Please submit any questions to environment@cityofchicago.org.

C&D Debris Defined

C&D debris is non-hazardous, non-contaminated solid waste resulting from construction, remodeling, repair or demolition operations on pavement, buildings and other structures.

C&D debris includes waste from new construction, renovation, and demolition projects, and may include:

• Bricks, concrete, and other masonry materials
• Rock
• Wood, including non-hazardous painted, treated, and coated wood
• Scrap metal
• Plaster
• Gypsum drywall
• Plumbing fixtures and piping
• Non-asbestos insulation
• Roofing shingles and other roof coverings
• Reclaimed asphalt pavement
• Glass
• Plastics
• Landscape waste

Benefits of C&D Recycling

Recycling C&D debris saves money. Contractors can save money through avoided tipping (disposal) fees and by reselling or reusing C&D materials on future projects. These savings can allow a firm to be more competitive on bids for C&D projects.

Recycling C&D debris is good for the environment. In the U.S., C&D debris accounts for 30% of all solid waste produced. Most of this waste goes to landfills. Recycling C&D debris conserves valuable landfill space and reduces consumption of resources.

In 2003, more than 1.4 million tons of construction steel, 615 thousand tons of concrete and brick and 122 thousand tons of wood were recycled in Chicago.

How to Recycle C&D Debris

The first step in C&D recycling is to plan ahead. It is important to estimate how much and what types of material will be generated at the construction or demolition site. Then you can decide how the materials should be sorted and which recycling service providers you should hire. (A list of providers is available for download at the bottom of this page.)

For more information, the City of Chicago provides a construction and demolition Best Management Practices guide for C&D operations. This guide includes case studies and strategies for meeting the C&D recycling requirements.

In addition, the State of Illinois produces a helpful C&D recycling guidebook which may be obtained by calling 888-EPA-1996. Additional information can be found at the Illinois EPA—Construction and Demolition Debris website.

A searchable database of reuse and recycling services may be accessed at Illinois Earth 911.

C&D Recycling Seminars

The Chicago Department of Environment offers free seminars on construction and demolition material recycling. 2009 seminars will be held at the Chicago Center for Green Technology, 445 N. Sacramento Blvd., on the following dates from 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.:

• Wednesday, March 11
• Tuesday, June 23
• Tuesday, September 22

Pre-registration for this seminar is required. To register, call CCGT at 312-746-9642, or email greentech@cityofchicago.org to register.