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A quick introduction to construction and demolition waste management
REMONDIS Integrated and Managed Services // 3 October 2021
Of all waste sent to landfill, it’s estimated that at least half is classified as Construction and Demolition (C&D)
There is an ongoing effort to promote and expand C&D recycling options throughout Australia
C&D materials can be segregated into a number of key materials and sent to appropriate facilities for recycling
EDUCATION
What is in C&D waste?
Construction and demolition waste (commonly known as C&D waste) includes waste generated from building activity, demolition activities and site clean-ups.
C&D waste can include:
Bricks
Pavers
Roof tiles
Concrete
Timber
Metal
C&D waste does not include:
Asbestos
Tyres
Asphalt
E-waste
Bulky garden waste
Diversion from landfill
A major benefit of recycling C&D waste is that it can easily be separated by staff on site into specific bins for each waste stream.
Alternatively, you can request a mixed C&D bin that is taken to a sorting facility where the contents are separated off-site and recycled. This is a great way to save money as C&D waste is heavy and subject to a higher disposal rate, including government levies, if it’s taken to a landfill.
Safe and compliant management of C&D waste
Federal law governing heavy vehicles regulates what mass vehicles can carry within Australia. It applies to all parties, including those responsible for loading bins and those receiving the waste.
This is called the Chain of Responsibility and it requires each party in the supply chain to play a part and be responsible for ensuring safe transport on our roads.
Weight limits for C&D waste
- Bins have a safe mass limit that you need to keep under, and you should never load bins above the bin wall height
- The load also needs to be balanced
- If you need to remove large quantities of heavy waste, consider smaller bins or distribute heavy items over multiple loads
- Following these rules will help ensure the collection vehicle does not exceed its mass limit
Disposing of soil
- A rule of thumb: Soil weighs approximately 1.6 tonnes per cubic square metre, depending on it’s moisture content
- The common weight limit for a hook lift bin is 10 tonnes, so you should place no more than 6 cubic metres of soil in a bin
- Landfills often require a soil analysis to confirm the level of contamination before they accept a soil bin
- REMONDIS can assist with talking samples and organising a lab analysis if required
Use of bags
Remember, never bag C&D waste before placing it in the bin.
These materials need to be loose to facilitate processing at the disposal facility. A facility will likely categorise bagged waste as ‘non-C&D’ or assume it’s asbestos-contaminated material – and they reserve the right to reject the load and divert it to landfill.
Asbestos
Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral rock that was used extensively in Australia from the 1940s to the mid-1980s. It was used in the manufacture of a wide range of products, including:
- Cement sheeting
- Insulation
- Vinyl flooring
- Cement piping
Asbestos risks
- Asbestos is made of tiny fibers that, if disturbed, can become airborne and inhaled into the lungs, causing devastating health effects
- Asbestos is a known human carcinogen causing lung and gastro-intestinal cancers
- In Australia asbestos was phased out in the late 1980s and a national ban was implemented in 2003 on the importation, manufacture and use of all asbestos based products
How to dispose of asbestos
- Asbestos must be handled according to regulations set out by your relevant state government department.
- It is illegal to re-use, recycle or illegally dump any material deemed to be asbestos contaminated.
- It’s important to let REMONDIS know if your waste has Asbestos Contaminated Material (ACM) when requesting a collection, so we can handle your load safely.
C&D waste: best practice for customers
- Separate your C&D waste into specific bins or ask if a mixed C&D waste bin is available
- Never fill a C&D bin above the rim
- Never bag C&D waste before placing it in the bin
- Notify REMONDIS if you have ACM in your bin and keep it separate from all other C&D waste
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