Construction, Demolition & Deconstruction Material Recovery

Almost 30-40% of waste in landfills is from construction and demolition. There’s more waste in a house demolition than in the waste an individual would generate their entire life.

How do we divert C&D waste from the landfill? Using deconstruction methods that help recover materials for reuse!

To further understand the recoverability of materials in Colorado, Recycle Colorado's Construction and Deconstruction Council developed a feedback survey. This survey helped to fit 13 materials along a recoverability “sliding scale", from not recoverable to highly recoverable. The survey was sent out to members and posted on social media for others in Colorado and across the US to share their perspectives. Data collected was then analyzed and used to create sharable resources based on data from Colorado sources for you. 

Council members developed 3 visuals for you to share and reference. This is based on the knowledge and perspectives from council members and survey takers in Colorado only.

Sliding Scale Material Recoverability Visual Resource

C&D Recoverability Sliding Scale

Download Visual

Building Recoverability Visual Resource

Building Deconstruction Visual

Download Visual

Perks Deconstruction "What happens to Salvaged Materials" Visual Resource

Perks Deconstruction RecoveryAfter customers inquire about deconstruction services, one of the first steps in the process is for a staff member to do a walk-through of the property to document and photograph any items that can be donated for reuse. After the project is completed, the client can get the material appraised and receive potential tax deductions for his/her donation. Read all about this process and about Perks Deconstruction services by visiting their website.

Perks Deconstruction Recovery Resource

Have additional information to share on materials or an idea for additional resources that you think could be helpful?

Feel free to take the material recoverability survey and share your knowledge with us.

Take the Material Recoverability Survey

Notes on Material Recoverability

Gypsum Recoverability
  • Technically recoverable, but there’s no markets for this material to be recycled in Colorado.
  • There are companies in CO that are recovering gypsum and making bricks out of them, but these companies need clean gypsum, not used gypsum. It’s easier to recycle new drywall scraps rather than old drywall coming out of buildings because of asbestos and other contaminants.
  • Usually, drywall can be added as an amendment to soil as a drying agent but we don’t need it as much in our soils here in Colorado.
Class 4 Shingles
  • Technically recoverable, but there’s no markets for this material to be recycled in Colorado.