Construction Recycling

2019 & 2022 CALGreen Construction Waste Management Requirements

Summary Created by CalRecycle

Waste Diversion Requirement

• Newly constructed buildings and demolition projects shall divert from landfills at least 65% of the construction and demolition (C&D) materials generated at the project site.
• All locally permitted additions and alterations to non-residential projects shall also meet the minimum 65% waste diversion requirement.
• Additions and alterations to residential buildings that increase the structure's conditioned area, volume or size are also required to meet the 65% waste diversion requirement.

Methods of Compliance

1. Enforcing agencies can require contractors to develop and maintain a waste management plan and document diversion and disposal. OR
2. Utilize a waste management company that can provide verifiable documentation that it meets 65% waste diversion. OR
3. Use a waste stream reduction alternative:

• Non-residential new construction and residential high rise (4 stories or more) projects with a total disposal weight of ≤ 2 lbs/ft² meets the 65% waste diversion requirement.
• Residential low rise (3 stories or less) with new construction disposal of ≤ 3.4 lbs/ft² meets the 65% waste diversion requirement.

Recycling by Occupants (Space for Recycling)

• Newly constructed non-residential buildings, certain non-residential additions and multi-family housing with ≥ 5 units should provide readily accessible areas that serve the entire building and are identified for the depositing, storage and collection of non-hazardous materials for recycling, including (at minimum) paper, corrugated cardboard, glass, plastics, organic waste and metals.

Universal Waste

• Universal waste (such as batteries, e-waste, lamps, cathode ray tubes/glass, aerosol cans) from non-residential addition and alteration projects shall require verification that the materials are disposed of properly and diverted from landfills. A list of prohibited universal waste materials shall be included in the construction documents. This is required for nonresidential additions of 1,000 ft² or greater and building alterations with a permit valuation of $200,000 or above.

Recycled Content (Voluntary for Non-Residential Structures)

• Use recycled content materials that meets specified Recycled Content Value. Or simply use two or three materials out of 9 product types on the list: exterior paint, carpet, compost, mulch, acoustical ceiling panels, drywall, aggregate base, fiberglass or cellulose insulation. 

                                                                                                FAQs

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