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NJ DEPT. OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION NEWS RELEASE
RELEASE: 9/6/01
01/104

CONTACT: Amy Collings or Loretta O'Donnell
(609) 984-1795 or 609-292-2994

New Survey Shows Economic Benefits of Recycling Construction Debris

Builders and demolition contractors can help the environment and save money by recycling construction and demolition waste rather than disposing of it.

A recent survey conducted by the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) shows that recycling concrete rubble, asphalt debris, used bricks and blocks, wood scrap and felled trees and stumps costs significantly less than disposing of these materials as garbage.

“The results of this survey provide further evidence that recycling not only makes environmental sense, but economic sense as well,” stated DEP Commissioner Bob Shinn.

The survey results revealed that the average cost to recycle concrete rubble is $7.50 per ton, the average cost to recycle asphalt debris is $6.70 per ton and the average cost to recycle used bricks and blocks is $9.50 per ton. Several of the recycling centers surveyed did not charge any fee for the receipt of these recyclable waste materials.

Recycling wood scrap, felled trees and stumps also is economical, said Shinn. According to survey results, the average cost to recycle wood scrap is $47.60 per ton and the average cost to recycle felled trees and stumps is $33.50 per ton.

“By recycling this material, builders and demolition contractors not only conserve natural resources and reduce the demand for new landfill capacity, but also improve their bottom line as the average cost to dispose of such material in New Jersey is over $68 per ton,” noted John Castner, director of the NJDEP’s Division of Solid and Hazardous Waste.

According to research conducted by the National Association of Home Builders Research Center, a typical builder pays $511 per house for construction waste disposal. This expense can be greatly reduced by recycling construction-related wastes.

“Clearly, the economic benefits of recycling are significant and must be recognized when considering the value and impact of recycling programs,” said Guy Watson, chief of the NJDEP’s Bureau of Recycling and Planning.

The most current state figures show well over a million tons of construction and demolition debris are generated annually in New Jersey, but only about 58 percent is being recycled.

There are over 90 DEP-approved recycling centers in New Jersey that recycle various components of the construction and demolition waste stream. Visit the DEP, Bureau of Recycling and Planning’s website at http://www.state.nj.us/recyclenj/ (Click on Class “B” Recycling Database) for information on the nearest recycling center or call DEP at 609-984-3438.

 

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