Green Building Library
Waste Reduction and Recycling
Construction Waste: Types and Quantities Management
Use the following ballpark figures to get a sense of how much construction waste may be generated on your jobs:
Material |
Lbs./Sq.Ft. |
Wood |
1.3 - 2.11 |
Drywall |
1.0 - 1.2 |
Cardboard |
0.1 - 0.5 2 |
Metals |
0.02 - 0.13 |
Other (plastics, shingles, etc) |
0.5 - 1.3 |
Total |
3.0 - 5.2 |
1Range for wood waste depends on material used for wall sheathing, siding, tirm, and roofing. 2 Range for cardboard depends on type of siding and whether windows, doors, and cabinetry are locally manufactured. |
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Key Points
Here are some important generalizations about residential construction waste.
- By weight or volume, wood, drywall and cardboard make up between 60 and 80 percent of jobsite waste.
- Vinyl and metals are generated in small quantities, but have good recycling value.
- Cardboard waste is increasing on most jobsites as more components, such as windews, appliances, cabinets and siding, are shipped to builders over long distances.
- Most wood waste is "clean" -- unpainted, untreated and recyclable. This usually includes dimensional lumber, plywood, OSB and particle board without laminates.
- Brick, block and asphalt shingle waste are insignificant in volume, but can be important in terms of weight.
- For most builders, the largest share of waste that could be considered hazardous is generated from painting, sealing, staining and caulking.
- Drive-by contamination (waste placed in a container by a party other than the builder or subcontractor) can be as much as 30 percent of the total volume hauled from a site.
