4.408.1 Construction waste management. Recycle and/or salvage for reuse a minimum of 50 percent of the nonhazardous construction and demolition waste in accordance with either Section 4.408.2, 4.408.3 or
4.408.4, or meet a more stringent local construction and demolition waste management ordinance.
Exceptions:
1. Excavated soil and land-clearing debris.
2. Alternate waste reduction methods developed by working with local agencies if diversion or recycle facilities capable of compliance with this item do not exist or are not located reasonably close to the
jobsite.
3. The enforcing agency may make exceptions to the requirements of this section when isolated jobsites are located in areas beyond the haul boundaries of the diversion facility.
COMMENTARY
Purpose:
Construction waste diverted from landfills will help reduce landfill production of methane gas, a direct greenhouse gas. In addition, reusing and recycling materials typically results in less energy use than producing materials from virgin materials; conservation of the original resources and reduces the burden on landfills.
Background:
Where a local jurisdiction has not adopted a greater than 50 percent waste reduction requirement, the mandatory 50 percent waste reduction established in Section 4.408.1 applies. Section 4.408 also provides choices for meeting the waste reduction requirement including alternate waste reduction methods developed in consultation with local agencies. An exception also recognizes that waste facilities may not exist, or be reasonably close to the jobsite, making compliance with the literal requirements and the benefits intended by this section unfeasible. Determination of “reasonably close” will vary by jurisdiction according to the location of a jobsite and the nearest waste/diversion facility or whether the type of waste in question is accepted at the facility. In addition, construction waste reduction, disposal and recycling services may be economically impracticable or unavailable in some areas.
Local agencies can employ the use of a variety of strategies; through public and private sector recycling facilities to achieve state mandated waste reduction and recycling goals. Local agencies should be contacted prior to construction to obtain a list of approved waste haulers. The Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery (CalRecycle) also maintains a C & D (construction and demolition) Recyclers Database listing recycling facilities. Any successful recycling program will involve upfront due diligence, planning and the consideration of several factors. Many of these factors include, but are not limited to:
Local authority approved waste hauler
Consideration of distance from the site to the recycling facility
Method of recycling: on-site sorting (source separation) or bulk mixed (single stream)
Recyclers with a reliable/verifiable performance record
Clearly marked bins
Routinely checked bins for material accuracy
All involved parties are on board/buy-in
“Load Tags” or “Trip Tickets” are collected and recorded
Definitions for “Hazardous waste,” “Recycle or Recycling,” and “Re-use” are located in CALGreen Chapter 2, Section 202. Section 4.408 also supports legal requirements for local jurisdictions to divert 50 percent of solid waste through source reduction, recycling, and composting activities as required in Public Resources Code Section 41780.
The regulatory text for this section was amended in July 2011 and is effective July 1, 2012
4.408.2 Construction waste management plan. Submit a construction waste management plan in conformance with Items 1 through 5. The construction waste management plan shall be updated as necessary and shall be available during construction for examination by the enforcing agency.
1. Identify the construction and demolition waste materials to be diverted from disposal by recycling, reuse on the project or salvage for future use or sale.
2. Specify if construction and demolition waste materials will be sorted on-site (source-separated) or bulk mixed (single stream).
3. Identify diversion facilities where the construction and demolition waste material will be taken.
4. Identify construction methods employed to reduce the amount of construction and demolition waste generated.
5. Specify that the amount of construction and demolition waste materials diverted shall be calculated by
weight or volume, but not by both.
4.408.3 Waste management company. Utilize a waste management company, approved by the enforcing agency, which can provide verifiable documentation that the percentage of construction and demolition waste material diverted from the landfill complies with Section 4.408.1.
Note: The owner or contractor may make the determination if the construction and demolition waste materials will be diverted by a waste management company.
4.408.4 Waste stream reduction alternative. Projects that generate a total combined weight of construction and demolition waste disposed of in landfills, which do not exceed four (4) lbs./sq. ft. of the building area shall meet the minimum 50 percent construction waste reduction requirement in
Section 4.408.1.
The regulatory text for this section was amended in July 2011 and is effective July 1, 2012
4.408.5 Documentation. Documentation shall be provided to the enforcing agency which demonstrates compliance with Section 4.408.2, Items 1 through 5, Section 4.408.3 or Section 4.408.4.
Notes:
1. Sample forms found in “A Guide to the California Green Building Standards Code (Low-Rise Residential)” located at www.hcd.ca.gov/CALGreen.html may be used to assist in documenting compliance with this section.
2. Mixed construction and demolition debris (C&D) processors can be located at the California Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery (CalRecycle).
COMMENTARY
Purpose:
Sections 4.408.2, 4.408.3 and 4.408.4 address approved methods for ensuring compliance with the 50 percent construction and demolition waste requirement of Section 4.408.1. These methods are intended to save raw materials and preserve landfill space, especially where local regulations do not apply or do not meet the required CALGreen 50 percent or greater construction waste diversion rate.
Examples of Acceptable Methods of Implementation and/or Compliance:
Comply with a local waste management ordinance.
Develop and submit a construction waste management plan (CWMP) for approval of the local enforcing agency.
Transport all construction waste to a recycling facility having a 50 percent or greater diversion rate.
Generate a total combined weight of construction and demolition waste disposed in landfills not to exceed 4 pounds per square foot of the building area.
Demonstrate evidence of compliance, through worksheets or haul tags, scales/weight certification from a waste management facility and or/any other records as required by the
enforcing agency.
If the project is located outside the haul boundaries of a diversion facility, contact the local authority as soon as possible for resolution. It is recommended that the owner or authorized agent research and discuss all logistical requirements with the enforcing agency early in the plan submittal process.
To reduce time and costs of completing a CWMP and/or other compliance documents, optional sample plans and worksheets, that may be used to show compliance with the waste diversion requirements, are available online by clicking on the CALGreen logo in the carousel on the HCD website home page at (http://www.hcd.ca.gov) or by using the hyperlinks in Chapter 8 of this guide. Local enforcing agencies may require completion of additional documents or additional information. Contact the local authority early to discuss and to ensure compliance.
Background:
The following discussions provide information on three methods for calculating and documenting construction waste diversion.
Compliance Methods and Supporting Documentation
The 2010 CALGreen Code, Section 4.408.1 mandates a 50 percent reduction of construction and demolition (C & D) waste from newly constructed low-rise residential projects. During the
planning stage of any new construction project, contact the local jurisdiction and review any local ordinances pertaining to the reduction of construction waste. If a local jurisdiction does not have a construction waste management ordinance providing for 50 percent or greater reduction in
construction waste contact the local enforcing agency to determine an acceptable compliance method.
CALGreen, Section 4.408, recognizes several methods of compliance to meet 50 percent reduction of construction and demolition waste. In addition, HCD developed several options to assist with calculation of construction waste diversion. Whichever method is chosen, it should be supported by waste tracking documentation and shall be made available to the local enforcement agency. (See sample Construction Waste Management Forms and instructions on HCD’s website which may be used for providing documentation of construction waste diversion and compliance with CALGreen; hyperlinks to these documents are provided in Chapter 8.)
Construction Waste Management Plan (CWMP). The CWMP option provides a direct and clearly understood route to the successful diversion target of minimizing or reducing the amount
of waste being sent to landfills. With proper planning, on-site posting and awareness, employees and subcontractors will be able to understand and participate in the process. The CWMP should identify materials to be recycled or reused and the method of their disposal as specified in CALGreen Section 4.408.2. The CWMP must also be supported by verifiable documentation that the established diversion goals requirements have been satisfied.
A CWMP should be submitted to the local enforcing agency for approval prior to the commencement of construction. Before choosing a tracking method, review of Appendix A4 “Residential Voluntary Measures” in the 2010 CALGreen Code for additional conservation methods to reduce construction waste generation is strongly encouraged.
Recycling Facility or Waste Management Company Method. Use of this option requires all construction waste generated by a construction project to be transported to a recycling facility or waste management company that has a waste diversion rate of 50 percent or more. A recycling facility sorts the construction waste it receives and reclaims and recycles 50 percent or more of all the materials. Some larger municipalities have programs to certify their recycling facilities, via audits, as having a diversion rate of 50 percent or greater. Where such a program exists, this method may be the easiest path to achieving compliance. Similar to the volume or weight
method or 4 pounds per square foot method, load tickets, receipts, and facility certification documents indicating the diversion rate for the project should be retained and provided to the local enforcing agency to demonstrate compliance with the 50 percent construction waste reduction requirements of CALGreen. Check with the local enforcing agency for specific requirements.
4 Pounds per Square Foot Method or Waste Stream Reduction Alternative. The total waste generated on an average home in California is 8.5 pounds per square foot. The 4 pounds per square foot net waste limit can be achieved through efficient design, careful and accurate material ordering, handling and storage, panelized/pre-fabricated construction, and recycling and reuse. This method considers the construction waste generated at the construction site and not at the manufacturing site where some larger building components may have been precut or preassembled.
Similar to the Volume or Weight Documentation Method discussed below, the facility where construction waste is transported will furnish tickets or receipts, which together with the completed Construction Waste Management Worksheets (4 Lbs. per Sq. Ft.) should be retained and provided to the local enforcing agency to demonstrate compliance with the construction waste reduction provisions of CALGreen.
Volume or Weight Documentation Method. The waste can be site-sorted (source separated), bulk mixed (single stream), or both. When using this method, documentation and tracking of the volume or weight (not both) of all waste generated by the project and transported to a facility is required. Most facilities will supply tickets or other detailed receipts showing the weight or volume of all materials being recycled, reused, or disposed, which should be retained and provided to the local enforcing agency to demonstrate compliance with CALGreen. Additionally, the weight or volume totals from these tickets or receipts should be entered on the Construction Waste Management Worksheets (Volume or Weight) to verify compliance with CALGreen’s 50 percent waste reduction requirement.
Other Documentation Methods
Additional documentation methods for verifying compliance with CALGreen’s construction waste reduction requirements may be used. For example, web-based construction waste management systems may be available which track the history and volume of construction waste generated on a project-by-project basis. All documentation methods used must be acceptable to the local enforcing agency.
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