Concrete is another common building material that, although not often a large waste product by volume, can adversely affect waste handling and tipping fees at the landfill because of its weight.   Approximately 54 percent by weight of all building construction and demolition wastes in the U.S. are concrete, according to the McGraw-Hill Recycling Handbook, 1993.   The three largest costs associated with generating these wastes are the handling costs, transport costs, and the cost to tip at the landfill.

Minimizing waste begins in the design stage.   Designers can dimension buildings using standard sizes of raw materials, such as lumber, plywood, steel beams, and drywall to minimize scrap.  Whenever cut-off waste can be reduced or less material is used because building dimensions have been optimized, you save both resources and money.  In reducing waste, you save money by purchasing less material, by reducing on-site labor (for measuring and cutting), and by paying less for solid waste disposal.

If a building cannot be designed in accordance with standard materials dimensions or if an existing structure is being remodeled, "right-sized",  factory-cut materials can be ordered for delivery to the site.  Using this technique, excess materials are managed at the processor's facility instead of a the job site.  The processor is more likely to have a recycling infrastructure for the excess materials.  For example, wood scrap is often processed into manufactured wood products, such as oriented strand board or particleboard.

Optimal-value engineering (OVE) and advanced framing are strategies for reducing material use without compromising structural performance.  By reducing material use, these practices reduce resource use while saving money.

Where scrap cannot be avoided, reusable lumber cut-offs can be separated for use in other applications.  This lumber can be used in a variety of on-site applications, including bridging, bracing, blocking, shims, stakes, and drywall nailers.

Another method of reducing on-site construction waste is to implement "reverse distribution",  wherein unused, waste, or salvaged materials are returned to the original manufacturer.  This requires cooperation among the builder, material distributor, and the manufacturer, and may not be economically feasible if materials are ordered from distant sources.

When working with concrete, estimating required quantities carefully can prevent waste.  Alternative foundation systems, such as pier foundations, can reduce the quantity of concrete necessary, thus reducing potential waste.   Pre-cast concrete systems with integrated footer, foundation wall, and insulation use considerably less concrete than conventional poured foundation walls.  On-site concrete waste also can be used to fill applications at the job site to reduce the quantity of concrete that may need disposal.

Cardboard waste is increasing as more and more components -- windows, appliances, cabinets, siding -- are shipped to builders over long distances.  Purchasing components form local sources, if possible, can reduce the need for extensive transport packaging and can thus reduce cardboard waste.   Requesting that components are shipped in returnable, reusable packaging, such as blankets or wood crates can further reduce cardboard waste.

One resource for military personnel is the U.S. Air Force Construction and Demolition (C&D) Waste Management Guide.  It is available for download at www.afcee.brooks.af.mil/green/resources/resources.asp.   The purpose of the guide is to explain why C&D waste management is important; to show waste managers how to plan and execute a C&D waste management program; and to summarize environmental compliance concerns associated with C&D wastes.

This activity also helps facilities to comply with the Department of Navy's Naval Facilities Engineering Command Planning And Design Policy Statement - 98-01: Design of Sustainable Facilities and Infrastructure, June 18, 1998 which requires all facilities and infrastructure-related design and construction to incorporate sustainable design principles.  This includes domestic construction for the Navy, Air Force, and Marines, as well as about half of domestic Army construction and about half of all offshore military construction.

Minimizing construction materials will help DOD activities meet the solid waste diversion goals found in DOD memo (13 May 98) on New DOD Pollution Prevention Measures of Merit, which states that by the end of FY2005, a diversion rate for non-hazardous solid waste of greater than 40% will be achieved.

Implementing sustainable development strategies, such as minimizing construction waste, also will help facilities meet requirements under the Department of the Army Technical Letter No. 1110-3-491, "Sustainable Design for Military Facilities", released on May 1, 2001.  This letter provides basic criteria for incorporating sustainable design concepts in the design and construction of Military facilities.

The compliance benefits listed here are only meant to be used as a general guideline and are not meant to be strictly interpreted.  Actual compliance benefits will vary depending on the factors involved, e.g. the amount of workload involved.

• Saves landfill space.
• Reduces the cost of landfill tipping fees.
• Reduces transportation costs for waste material.
• May reduce labor costs associated with managing materials on the job site if quantities of waste are reduced.
• Conserves  resources.

• Custom-sized materials may be more expensive; locally purchased materials may be more expensive or difficult to locate.
• May increase labor costs associated with sorting materials for recycling on job site.
• May restrict the design of a structure to standard dimensions.

When conducting an economic analysis for a specific project, consider the following factors:

• Initial design changes incorporating standard-sized building materials.
• Costs of alternative materials compared to the standard materials.
• Purchasing costs avoided by using trim for other applications.
• Waste disposal costs avoided by reusing trim and returning materials.
  
  

*There are multiple MSDSs for most NSNs.
The MSDS (if shown above) is only meant to serve as an example

Mr. Larry Dryden
HQ ACC/CECE
129 Andrews Street, Suite 102
Langley AFB, VA  23665
Phone: (757) 764-3614
FAX: (757) 764-5339
Email:larry.dryden@landley.af.mil

Ms. Karen Kevela
Environmental Quality Directorate
Air Force Center for Environmental Excellence
3207 North Road
Brooks AFB, TX 78235-5363
Phone: (210) 536-4191
DSN: 240-4191
FAX: (210) 536-4254
Email: karen.kivela@brooks.af.mil

Superior Walls of America, Ltd.
937 East Earl Road
New Holland, PA  17557
Phone: (800) 452-9255
FAX: (717) 351-9263
URL: www.superiorwalls.com
Service: Pre-cast Concrete Wall Systems

Pin Foundations, Inc.
8607 58th Avenue, NW
Gig Harbor, WA  98332
Phone: (253) 858-8809
FAX: (253) 858-8607
Email: pinfound@pinfoundations.com
URL: www.pinfoundations.com
Service: Foundations without Excavation