5 Ways to Reduce Waste

Virtually all communities operate a recycling program for some waste, but seldom do these programs extend to construction projects—where a large mass of material gets trashed. But contractors now are creating their own ways to minimize the materials they send to the landfill.

"Four years ago, we made a conscious decision that we would market our ability to create healthier environments for our clients," says Connie McCullah, a principal of Odin's Hammer in Berkeley, Calif. "One of the easiest ways to get started was to focus on how we ran our jobs. That began with safety, but then we added what products we used, like caulks and paints that had [volatile organic compounds]. Then we looked at what we were throwing away and whether it could be reused, repurposed or recycled."

Here are five key strategies contractors are using to minimize their waste:

• Recycle. At Katy Kitchen & Bath in Katy, Texas, owner Mary Roberts creates three types of waste piles during a project: food and paper waste, which goes in the trash; materials pulled from the home, such as aluminum siding, that can be recycled; and wood, appliances and other big items that could be refurbished or reused. In some areas, local haulers offer this service. Jeff Moroso, at Moroso Construction in San Francisco, has a local company sort recyclables and haul them to centers for cash. "It's the best of both worlds—the material is recycled, and we don't have to spend the time sorting it," he says.

• Reuse Scraps. Katy Kitchen & Bath employees reuse leftover materials rather than pitching them into the trash. "It's shocking how much you can save if you hold onto small pieces," Roberts says. Crews tend to pitch 3- or 4-foot lumber lengths when they're framing, only to later grab a new piece to cut a short length for trim. By having the company's clean-up person pick up short lengths, nails and other supplies, and store them for later use, significant amounts are saved.

This is especially true for products used in large quantities, such as Tyvek house wrap. Rolling up pieces for use in odd-shaped corners saved two additional rolls on a recent project, Roberts notes. "That savings not only adds up on a project, but it also avoids having to make a trip to the store to get more material because you ran out faster than you expected," she says.

This also can cut down on the materials "shrinkage" that occurs when crews are allowed to throw out almost anything unsupervised. "When they know you're checking what's been used and that throwing out big amounts isn't an option, you don't lose as much material," Roberts says.

• Donate Materials. In some cases, working appliances or other materials can be donated to charities. Odin's Hammer uses a company that takes away materials for donations, with the homeowner receiving a tax credit. Katy makes more direct donations by setting aside items so scavengers can access them. "This also prevents people from climbing into the trash looking for salvageable materials," Roberts notes. "They see we keep out anything that could be of value."

• Refurbish. Old materials pulled from homes, such as hardwood flooring, doors or cabinetry, can be reused if they're in good condition and have period character. Dana Milner, president of Dana Milner General Contractors in Albany, Calif., saves a wide variety of items at his 6,000-sq.-foot cabinet shop and yard. "It's great to be able to hold items until they can be reused," he says. Period doors are in big demand and are handy for matching local architectural styles. The only concern is if the items are covered in lead-based paint.

Roberts says that in her area, period asbestos roof slates are in high demand, so they are saved from demolished homes for salvage when a few slates are needed on another home. Not only can they go back into service, but it also keeps small amounts of asbestos from ending up in the landfill.

• Don't Replace. The best long-term approach to avoiding waste is to build well in the first place, Moroso says. "If you use quality materials, they won't have to be replaced in five years," he adds. "That saves material as much as anything you recycle." As more homeowners become interested in recyclable products and knowing where used materials are going, they gain more interest in reducing their future waste by upgrading product choices.