Recycling Required for Construction and Demolition Projects
Source-separated metal collection container
Source-separated cardboard collection container
Source-separated wallboard collection container
New requirements have been adopted for new construction, remodeling and demolition activities in Seattle. Learn how you can recycle more and what requirements affect your jobs and properties.
What’s changing?
About 62% of construction and demolition (C&D) waste was recycled from Seattle projects in 2011 and another 3% was “beneficially used” as industrial boiler fuel. Seattle City Council has adopted a goal for recycling 70% of construction waste by 2020. To reach this goal, Seattle Public Utilities will:
- roll out landfill disposal bans on readily recyclable C&D materials,
- certify the recycling levels at recycling facilities which receive and process C&D materials from Seattle jobs, and
- require building permit holders for each new construction, remodeling and demolition to file a waste diversion report to show compliance with the disposal bans.
Who is affected?
- Construction, Demolition and Remodeling Contractors
- Self-Haul Customers to Private and Public Transfer Stations
- Third-Party Contracted Haulers
- Receiving and Processing Facilities
- Property Owners and Managers
- Department of Planning & Development (DPD) Building Permit Applicants
Certain materials from new construction, remodeling and demolition activities in Seattle must be recycled and may not be put in landfills. DPD Building Permit Applicants will need to submit a Waste Diversion Report after project completion, documenting where materials were delivered for reuse, recycling and disposal.
Phased Landfill Disposal Bans 2012- 2016
Ordinance 124076 prohibits the disposal of the following C&D materials:
- Asphalt Paving, Bricks and Concrete (2012)
- Metal (2014)
- Cardboard (2014)
- Carpet (2014)
- Plastic Film Wrap (2014)
- New Construction Gypsum Scrap (2014)
- Clean Wood (2015)
- Tear-Off Asphalt Shingles (2015)
Are there exceptions to the landfill ban?
The disposal bans do not include materials that are:
- painted,
- have hazardous constituents,
- are difficult to separate from others (such as wood or styrofoam adhering to concrete), or
- are present in very small quantities.
Will I get a ticket for disposing of banned building materials?
During the first year these bans are effective, SPU will not issue any fines for non-compliance with civil infractions. Enforcement may begin during the second year of the disposal ban.
What does “Facility Certification” mean?
SPU will develop a program to certify the recycling activities at receiving and processing facilities which are in compliance with the disposal bans. These facilities will need to be permitted by the local Health jurisdiction, submit reports to SPU and conduct testing of the residuals from sorting operations to ensure such material going to a landfill does not contain a significant amount of targeted recyclables. Contractors and haulers who deliver C&D materials to these facilities will be considered to be in compliance with the City’s recycling requirements and disposal bans.
List of Certified Facilities
A list of certified facilities will be posted on this web page by January 1, 2014.
Do I have to use the SPU-Certified Facilities?
No, you may use facilities of your choice. However, you will be required to show how you have complied with the recycling requirements and landfill bans. You can show compliance either by:
- Using SPU-Certified facilities, or
- Providing weight slips and other documentation indicating where you have recycled and not disposed of targeted building materials in landfills.
What do I have to report?
Starting January 1, 2014, all new construction, remodeling and demolition projects that receive a DPD building permit will need to submit an electronic Waste Diversion Report to DPD within 60 days of Final Inspection. The Waste Diversion Report documents material tonnages and where all materials were delivered for reuse (on or off site), recycling, beneficial use and disposal. Delivery of materials to certified processing facilities will be the easiest path to show compliance with the City’s disposal bans. SPU will conduct periodic audits of such reports for accuracy and timely submission. A civil penalty may be assessed as of January 1, 2015 if a report is not submitted or if the targeted materials for recycling are disposed in a landfill.
Waste Diversion Report
The Waste Diversion Report and instructions for its submittal will be posted on this web page by January 1, 2014.
For more information, contact Gabriella Uhlar-Heffner at gabriella.uhlar-heffner@seattle.gov or (206) 386-9772.