What do I do with…?
Construction & Demolition Debris
What is construction and demolition debris? Known as C&D debris, it is any waste that is generated from putting up, fixing up, and tearing down buildings.
Why is it a problem? The EPA estimates that C&D debris generated in the United States is more than twice the amount of municipal solid waste, which is what people discard at homes & businesses every day.
Examples: aluminum, asphalt, brick, buckets, cardboard, carpet and carpet padding, concrete, land clearing debris, lumber, pallets, paper, pipe, plastic, plaster, rock, roof tile, steel, shingles, tile, wallboard
Reduce
Consider the costs and benefits of every building project
Try to use the least amount of materials as possible
Try to reduce the amount of leftover materials you produce
Buy or order only as much as you need - avoid excess materials
Reevaluate the amount of space/amenities you need
Reuse
Consider deconstruction, the art of dismantling buildings for maximum reuse and recycling of materials.
If you deconstruct building materials yourself you can bring certain materials to Home Resource or Restore and Donation Center, (call ahead for acceptance policy).
If you are looking to renovate, remodel, or rebuild, here are some local deconstruction services:
Recycle
Pacific Steel buys some scrap metals (Call for acceptance policy) :
Appliances & tin
Ferrous – mild steel, carbon steel, stainless steel, cast iron, wrought iron
Non-Ferrous – aluminum, copper, brass, die cast, radiators, stainless steel, catalytic converters
Additional info
In 2016, the Missoula Redevelopment Agency adopted a Demolition Alternatives Policy “to encourage conservation, sustainability and the reuse of existing structures and materials.” The Development Services Deconstruction Resource Guide is a resource for applicants requesting tax increment assistance for the removal of structures on a redevelopment project.
Interested in learning more about deconstruction? Check out the City of Missoula Deconstruction Resource Guide.