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What Happens to Your Old Building Materials After Demolition?

demolition contractor NYC,

Did you know building demolitions generate over 600 million tons of waste annually in the US alone? That waste doesn’t just disappear into the thin air—It takes a whole process to deal with that waste, be it recycling, repurposing or reusing the waste material.

If you’re planning a demolition and will be working with a demolition contractor NYC, it’s important to understand how the waste generated during the demolition should be handled to minimize its environmental impact. In this blog post, we’ll take you through the process that happens to your old building materials after demolition.

Sorting and Removal of the Debris

Once the demolition process is over, the debris generated in the process is carefully sorted. Sorting the debris is an important step for safety and reducing the environmental impact with an efficient recycling process.

Before sorting the debris into different types, the first step is to remove any dangerous materials like asbestos or lead-based paints. These products are not only dangerous for the environment but can be a safety concern for the workers and the community. After dealing with these hazardous materials, the demolition contractor can proceed with the sorting.

During the sorting process, the debris is carefully sorted into different categories. The goal of the sorting process is to separate reusable and recyclable materials like metals, concrete, wood and glass from the materials that need to be disposed of.

What Happens to the Materials That Can Be Recycled?

After proper sorting, many of the materials from a demolition site can be recycled and don’t end up in the landfills. They can be repurposed, and used in an environmentally friendly way to reduce costs of future construction. Here’s how some common building materials are recycled:

  • Metals

Metals like steel, aluminum, and copper are some of the easiest materials to recycle. These materials can be sent to specialized recycling facilities where they’re melted down to form new products.

  • Concrete

Recycling concrete is complex as installed concrete is mixed with materials like mortar and gypsum. This makes it unusable in new mixes but it can be crushed to be repurposed. After crushing, it’s often used in construction projects like road construction or as a filler in base for a new building. This process helps reduce the demand for new concrete, which requires much energy to produce.

  • Wood

If the wood is removed carefully and is in good condition, it can be reused in new projects or repurposed into furniture and other items. However, if the demolition was rough, the wood might be damaged to the extent that it can’t be reused. In this case, it can be repurposed to be used into mulch for increasing soil fertility or burnt for energy production.

  • Glass

If the glass is extracted in its original form without damage, it is highly reusable. In case of damage, clear glass might be remelted and reshaped into new glass products. However, colored or treated glasses are unusable if damaged, and unfortunately need to be discarded.

  • Drywall

Drywall is made up of layers of paper and gypsum. If it is removed in intact condition, it can be reused or recycled into new drywall products. However, broken drywall mixes the paper and gypsum to a non-filterable level and usually ends up in the landfill.

Disposal of Non-Recyclable Materials

While recycling the demolition debris can be a good way to reduce its environmental impact, not all materials can be recycled or repurposed. Some items are too contaminated or damaged to be recycled and might end up in the landfills. 

In fact, recent research suggests that almost 35% of demolition debris might be non-recyclable and needs to be landfilled. This means you need to work with some experienced and reliable demolition contractors who proceed with the demolition carefully, handling the waste management responsibly and reducing the non-recyclable debris.

Read More: What Permits and Regulations Should You Be Aware of for Commercial Demolition?

Looking for an Eco-friendly Demolition Contractor in NYC?

Choosing an environmentally responsible demolition contractor can be a great way to contribute to a sustainable future.

At Delta Demolition, we prioritize the planet by recycling and managing waste materials responsibly. Our experienced and certified team is dedicated to minimizing your project’s environmental footprint.

Don’t add to the planet’s burden—contact us today for a free quote and take a step toward greener demolition!

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