Below provides practical information for reuse and recycling of construction and demolition (C&D) debris generated during construction and deconstruction projects.

Why recycle and prevent waste?

 Efforts to reduce, reuse and recycle construction waste can save money, keep job sites cleaner and safer and save landfill space. It is also the law for materials like cardboard, which is banned from the landfill by the Broome County Charter and Code.

What’s your role?

 Property owners, property managers and developers

How can you prevent costly waste?

 Preventing the generation of waste by reusing materials onsite and reducing packaging decrease the quantity of material you need to use and pay for.  By identifying potential waste early in the design you can decrease the amount of waste generated during construction and see a cost savings.

How to salvage and reuse building materials

 There may be materials that have a greater value “as is” for salvage compared to their value as material for recycling. Some of these materials may be valuable to reuse on-site; others may be donated or sold to a used building material retailer or charitable organization (see below). These activities cut waste and reduce purchasing costs, and sometimes may bring in significant revenue or provide a tax benefit.

Appliances,
Architectural detailing
Brick and block
Cabinets
Doors
Flooring
Hardware
Lumber and timbers
Mouldings and millwork
Plumbing and lighting fixtures
Plywood
Siding
Structural steel
Windows

What to recycle?

Recycling and waste minimization guidelines

• Cardboard and Paper
  • Avoid excessive packaged materials and supplies
  • Separate cardboard and store in a dry place. See below for list of local cardboard and paper recyclers.
• Plastic and Vinyl
  • Minimize waste of vinyl siding, flooring and countertop materials by ordering only quantities needed.
  • Excess materials may be used by the local Habitat for Humanity or other reuse outlet.
• Paints, Stains, Solvents and Sealants
  • Donate unused portions to Habitat for Humanity. 
  • Save unused portions for touch up or other jobs
  • Any unused materials should be properly disposed of at a hazardous waste collection facility.
• Drywall
  • Technology does exist, although it is not available in the Broome County area. It can be recycled into new products such as gypsum stucco, textured wall sprays, fire barriers or agricultural products.
  • Large pieces of dry wall may be donated to the local Habitat for Humanity or to another reuse outlet. 
• Metals and Appliances
  • Separate metal radiators, grates, aluminum siding, copper piping, wire and flashing, iron and steel banding from bundles, rebar and old appliances for recycling.
  • Refrigerators and air conditioners contain Freon and must be handled separately.
• Miscellaneous
  • Cabinets, light fixtures, bathtubs, sinks mortar mix, nails, screws, plumbing fittings and various other supplies may be accepted by one of the reuse outlets.
  • Old batteries from power tools can be recycled at various store locations or at the Broome County hazardous waste facility. 
  • Trees and branches from brush clearing can be chipped to use as mulch or brought to one of the local facilities to be composted. 

•  Any materials containing asbestos such as older pipe insulation, asphalt floor tiles and old linoleum.
• Petroleum contaminated soils
• Wood that’s been pressure treated or creosote treated timber.

 Select a waste and recycling hauler

• When choosing a hauler be sure to ask for a container for general debris, one for cardboard and one for scrap metal.
• What size containers do they offer?
• What is the charge to service the container?
• Do charges include a container rental fee?
• What materials are acceptable? 

Recycling/Reuse Outlets

The below listing is for information purposes only. It is not an all inclusive list and it does not constitute an endorsement or approval by the County, or provide any assurances with regard to the quality of services provided.  Please refer to the yellow pages for a full listing.

For additional information or assistance
 

Contact the Division of Solid Waste at 607-778-2250.