Metals & More: Unlocking the Value of Overlooked C&D Materials
Construction and demolition projects don’t just generate concrete, aggregate, wood, and drywall, and shingles—they also produce a wide range of other materials that can and should be recovered.
While other materials may represent a smaller percentage of total debris, they can be the key to maximizing recovery rates, generating more revenue, and conserving valuable resources and landfill space.
Where Do These Materials Come From?
- Metals: Found in structural components, pipes, conduits, wiring, fixtures, and jobsite scraps—metals like steel, copper, and aluminum are abundant and highly recyclable.
- Cardboard & Paper: Packaging materials, corrugated boxes, jobsite paperwork, and architectural plans.
- Rigid Plastics: Mixed plastics, PVC piping, vinyl siding, 5-gallon buckets, and other hard plastic components from construction.
- Glass: Primarily from windows, doors, and decorative features—can be difficult to recover due to coatings and breakage.
- Carpet & Flooring: Includes commercial carpet, laminate, resilient tile, and vinyl flooring—often complex due to adhesives and material mixes.
- Ceiling Tiles: Common in interior renovations, some types are recyclable via manufacturer take-back programs.
- Insulation (Fiberglass & Foam): Typically off-cuts or demolition debris—rarely recyclable due to contamination and lack of processing options.
How Are These Materials Recycled?
Recovery begins with load inspections and continues through the sorting line:
- Metals are separated on-site or at processing facilities. Magnets remove ferrous metals; non-ferrous metals are sorted manually or with eddy current separators.
- Cardboard & Paper are recovered when relatively clean and dry for baling and resale into strong, high-quality fiber markets.
- Rigid Plastics are sorted by type. Mixed rigids, PVC pipe, siding, and other clean plastics may be baled where end markets or take-back programs exist.
- Glass may be crushed for use as aggregate or in industrial fillers, depending on local processing capabilities.
- Carpet, Flooring & Ceiling Tiles are increasingly managed through EPR programs and manufacturer-sponsored recycling initiatives.
- Insulation may be downcycled or used as daily landfill cover, though viable outlets remain limited.
End Markets for These Materials
Metals:
Re-smelted and used in everything from structural steel to wiring and appliances.
Cardboard & Paper:
Returned to the paper and packaging industry.
Rigid Plastics:
Processed into new pipes, buckets, and plastic lumber.
Glass:
Used in road base, abrasive materials, or industrial fillers
Carpet & Flooring:
Recycled into carpet backing, plastics, or fuel (limited by material type and condition).
Ceiling Tiles:
May be reprocessed into new ceiling products or filler.
Insulation:
Occasional use as filler or cover material.
Why It Matters
Recovering these materials:
- Reduces disposal costs and preserves landfill capacity
- Conserves natural resources and energy
- Helps meet LEED and green building goals
- Boosts diversion rates and environmental performance on C&D projects
- Supports circular economy principles
While challenges like contamination, market availability, and infrastructure gaps exist, each recovered material moves the industry closer to full-cycle sustainability.
Don’t Let Valuable Materials Go To Waste
Whether you’re handling scrap metal or sorting ceiling tiles, every item diverted from landfill supports a more resource-efficient industry.
CDRA members gain access to the latest best practices, technology, and policy updates that make full-spectrum recovery possible.
Squeeze More Sustainability From Every Jobsite – Join CDRA Today.