LEED-H Point – Waste Management

One of the points we are actively involved in, but won’t know the true result to the very end, is our waste management program for the house. We just received our first bill from Waste Management and with it our first “weight slip” from Rhode Island Resource Recovery Corporation.

The average 2,000 sq. ft. home generates about 7,000 lbs of waste.  With the roof of the house being sheathed this week, we have sent one 15 yard bin of wood to recycling. The total weight was 2.2 tons which I was surprised at.  We would send 15,750 tons of waste to a landfill if we weren’t diverting for recycling but I am still concerned about having too much waste. We want to reduce as well as recycle. I was glad it was 100% recycled but it still seemed high considering our order overage is under 4%. 

Wood Products Only Bin

 

 

 

There are many ways to control the volume of waste generated on a job site. Careful ordering is first and foremost, by having detailed framing documents and detailed cut lists, you can order to the precise amount of materials you need, which helps reduce waste. Pre-engineered trusses (which we did not do, our roof is stick framed due to the design) are the next best option. We’re also using wood cuts and damaged lumber for  bracing and blocking. The leftover wood cuts we are generating are ideal for fireplaces and woodstoves, so we’re letting our carpenters take home left over scrap that’s suitable for burning; we’re also encouraging friends and family to take their share since it is wintertime in the Northeast.

I simply wasn’t satisifed with these answers so I am now sourcing additional means to reuse our waste. One of the things I’ve found is ReDO, a national tax exempt, 501(c) (3) non-profit organization promoting reuse on every level. ReDO is working to create a national reuse network and infrastructure. Reuse means that you redistribute materials from one who no longer needs it to those who can still find use in the item(s). Another option I’ve found is the Northeast Recycling Council who has developed a list of companies who are looking to exchange materials in the Northeast, companies looking for goods are listed y state with icons identifying what they are looking for. We found a number of companies looking for home materials that range from non-profits such as Habitat for Humanity to just about anything goes with Olde Good Things.

I also discovered RI used to have a resource called Free Market which is no longer available. Rhode Island Resource Recovery Corporation  discontinued providing this service to Rhode Islanders. Feel free to call RIRRC at (401) 942-1430 or email them at info@rirrc.org to tell them to bring it back!

I’ll keep you updated as our weight slips come in, so be sure to check back with us.

KDL | follow me on Twitter: newscaster