What sort of C&D materials pose a potential threat to human health and the environment and should be removed and managed separately from other recyclables?

Multiple Materials of Concern

Construction Industry Compliance Assistance (CICA) Center
Contains a section devoted to hazardous/toxic waste, where contractors can find state programs and information specific to these materials.

Managing Your Environmental Responsibilities:  A Planning Guide for Construction and Development
A Planning Guide for Construction and Development.  This document explains in detail the environmental obligations that construction companies can face across the various federal laws (stormwater, air, wetlands, waste...). Use it to factor in costs during the bidding process, assign responsibilities and use the checklists to self-audit.

RCRA in Focus Construction, Demolition, and Renovation
An EPA document that contains frequently asked questions about the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) regulatory impacts on C&D materials management, addresses special issues in C&D materials, hazardous waste requirements checklist, and how to reduce the amount of waste you generate. Also provides a summary of other environmental laws affecting the construction industry.

Recommended Management Practices for the Removal of Hazardous Materials from Buildings Prior to Demolition, 2nd Edition
Produced by the University of Florida for the Hinkley Center for Solid and Hazardous Waste Management in 2004, this document discusses many different building components that should be removed prior to building demolition.

Asbestos

EPA’s Asbestos Website

Contains basic information about what asbestos is, where it can be found, and applicable regulations.

Demolition Practices Under the Asbestos NESHAP

An EPA website that summarizes requirements for demolition where asbestos containing material (ACM) are found.

Reporting and Record Keeping Requirements for Waste Disposal

An EPA website summarizing disposal requirements for ACM.

Chemically-Treated Wood

EPA’s Website on CCA-treated Wood
This website provides general information about CCA-treated wood and its alternatives.

CCA Disposal Guide
This guide, produced by the Hinkley Center for Solid and Hazardous Waste Management in Florida, discusses the best management practices for CCA-treated wood. Note: Landfill classifications (such as Class I, Class III, and C&D) are those used by Florida and may not be applicable in another state.

Lead-Based Paint and Other Lead Products

EPA’s Website on Lead
This website provides information for contractors about lead-based paint and other sources of lead in construction.

Lead In Construction
The National Demolition Association produced several guidance documents for supervisors and workers on handling lead found on job sites.

Mercury

Mercury in Buildings
This HTML program, developed by Purdue University for the EPA and updated in 2005, was made especially for construction and demolition contractors and owners and managers of buildings to make them aware of the problem of mercury in buildings and to provide information on how to solve this problem.

PCBs (Polychlorinated Biphenyls)

EPA’s PCB website
Contains basic information about what PCBs are, where they can be found, and applicable regulations.

Tritium Exit Signs

EPA’s Tritium Exit Signs Website
This website provides information for contractors about how to discard tritium exit signs.

Trainex
This training exchange website contains a training program on how to manage tritium exit signs as well as how to avoid tritium-containing exit signs when purchasing equipment for your building.  (Search for “tritium exit signs” on the main page.)

Resources

There are several materials that can be found at construction, renovation, or demolition sites that should (in some cases must) be removed from typical C&D materials streams.  These materials can include (but are not limited to):

· Asbestos

· Cans of fresh paint, sealants, and glues

· Chemically-treated wood

· Lead-based paint and other lead products

· Mercury switches and thermostats

· PCB-containing ballasts

The resources below are provided for general guidance on managing these materials.  Since each state has its own regulations regarding the management of these materials, contact the appropriate state environmental agency for information specific to your state.