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There are many different types of material that can be recycled from construction and demolition projects, particularly:

• plasterboard
• aggregates
• metals
• plastics
• glass
• wood
• bricks and blocks
• floor and wall coverings
• insulation
• packaging

The options for dealing with these materials vary, depending on the type of material and how easy and profitable it is to recycle and reuse it - find out more about recycling construction waste.

You may also be able to find ways to reuse wasted resources.

Bricks have a lifespan of more than 200 years. You can reclaim or recycle bricks and blocks which have previously been used in the construction of buildings, walls, paving and infrastructure, such as bridges and sewers. These include:

• clay bricks
• concrete precast
• aerated blocks
• stone blocks

You can also buy them from other businesses which sell reclaimed bricks.

The most common sources of brick and block waste include items that are damaged during unloading, storage and cutting, and excess due to over ordering.

Brick recycling options

You can reclaim undamaged bricks and blocks and use them in new building projects or sell them to other businesses which deal in reclaimed bricks.

You can recycle damaged bricks and blocks and use them:

• to make aggregate for use as general fill or highway sub-base
• in landscaping
• to produce new bricks and blocks
• to make sports surfaces such as tennis courts and athletics tracks
• as plant substrate

Limitations of recycling bricks and blocks

However, there are some limitations on using recycled bricks and blocks, including:

• bricks can be contaminated by other construction waste, such as plasterboard
• new aircrete blocks are cheap to buy
• cleaning bricks is time consuming and not always possible
• it is hard to assess the load-bearing capacity of recycled bricks

Reclaimed bricks are worth more than bricks which are recycled as aggregate. It is easier to source reclaimed bricks left over from new build projects, but more difficult with demolition projects.

Making changes to your site operations

You can make simple yet effective changes to your site's operations to reduce wastage and allow more waste to be recycled by:

• providing dedicated storage areas to reduce damage during storage
• training staff in the handling of materials
• planning during the design stage to minimise the need for cutting bricks and blocks
• separating brick and block waste to avoid damage and contamination
• using a lime-based mortar rather than a cement-based mortar - this allows the bricks to be recovered and reused at building deconstruction

Waste from floor and wall coverings includes:

• carpet
• carpet tiles
• vinyl and linoleum
• laminate flooring
• wood
• ceramic and terrazzo tiles
• wall paper

These items may become waste if they are:

• damaged during handling and storage
• cut to fit during laying
• not considered properly at the design stage
• excess due to over ordering
• wrongly selected and therefore not used

Recycling options for floor and wall coverings

You can sell waste from floor and wall coverings to:

• social enterprises which recondition and refurbish floor and wall coverings
• specialist recycling services which recover carpet fibres as plastics recyclate and sell on to the plastics and horticultural markets

Floor and wall covering waste can also be used for:

• road cone manufacture
• animal bedding material
• polypropylene bead manufacture
• reusing carpet recyclate
• manufacturer take-back schemes

However, there are some limitations on using recycled floor and wall coverings, including:

• there is no market for recycled 'glued-together' laminate flooring
• there is little market for recycled carpet
• the composite nature of carpets means the material is difficult to separate
• it is hard to tell apart the different polymers commonly used across different carpet types - eg polypropylene, wool rich and nylon

Making changes to your site operations

You can make simple yet effective changes to your site's operations to reduce flooring and wall covering waste and allow more to be recycled by:

• reusing spare tiles or unfinished rolls of material on another project or returning them to the supplier if a take-back scheme exists
• selecting a protected, secure area for storage to reduce waste from water and accidental damage - unused tiles or off-cuts can also be stored for reuse in later projects or kept by the client for future replacements
• putting pollution prevention measures in place

You can .

Most glass waste is produced by demolition projects and the replacement of windows in refurbishment projects (flat glass). It also comes from:

• fluorescent lighting
• PC monitors and TV screens
• structural glass - eg in modern office blocks

The main causes of glass wastage are:

• over ordering of materials
• breakages during installation
• damage during storage

Recycling options for glass

You can recycle waste glass produced on your construction site by:

• crushing
• screening to remove contamination
• air classification
• optical sorting
• size classification
• washing and drying

Recovered glass can also be used for:

• aggregates
• decorative materials
• fluxing agent in the manufacture of bricks and ceramics
• filtration medium
• insulation
• containers
• sports turf applications
• abrasives

However, there are some limitations on using recycled glass. For example:

• glass extraction and recovery can be expensive
• loading and transporting glass to cullet collection centres can cost money
• flat glass can be contaminated, which requires reprocessing before reuse

Making changes to your site operations

You can make simple yet effective changes to your site's operations to reduce glass waste and allow more to be recycled by:

• providing staff with training in the handling of materials
• separating glass waste to avoid damage and contamination
• providing dedicated storage areas to reduce the risk of damage
• arranging for materials to be delivered at the time and place on site they are required to reduce the risk of breakages during handling and storage
• arranging transport to move glass waste to cullet collection centres
• keeping records to prevent over ordering and minimise stock held on site

See window supply and installation - how to cut waste and costs.

You can .

Most insulation waste comes from demolition and refurbishment projects. The amount of waste generated during installation depends on the type of insulation. Insulation materials include:

• glass and stone wool
• polystyrene
• sheep's wool
• spray foam
• polyurethane
• fibreboard

The main causes of insulation wastage are:

• over ordering and disposal of unused materials
• ordering the wrong insulation type or thickness
• over-designed projects
• poor pre-formed design
• poor storage and handling

Recycling options for insulation

The options for recycling waste insulation produced on your construction site include:

• direct reuse of off-cuts
• returning materials through take-back schemes offered by manufacturers
• compressed stone wool ceiling tile manufacture
• reclamation and reprocessing after removing impurities such as screws and nails

However, there are some limitations on recycling insulation including:

• difficulties of recycling insulation from demolition projects which can be contaminated, eg by mortar, wood, bitumen or asbestos
• greenhouse gas emissions from breaking rigid urethane insulation
• lack of specialised recycling facilities
• lack of end markets
• low value of insulation material
• low-density waste means large areas are needed for waste storage

Making changes to your site operations

You can make simple yet effective changes to your site's operations to reduce insulation waste and allow more waste to be recycled by:

• training staff in the handling of materials
• separating insulation waste to avoid damage
• selecting a secure storage area to protect materials from accidental and weather damage and storing off-cuts and partially used rolls for reuse
• keeping records to prevent over ordering and minimise stock held on site
• recovering materials and not sending them to landfill
• improved transport procedures to reduce damage to materials

Potential end uses for recovered insulation

You can use insulation waste in a number of construction applications and materials including:

• refurbishment projects - eg glass and stone wool batt insulation can be incorporated into concrete blocks or fibreglass board
• fibreglass ceiling tiles
• voluntary sector waste projects

You can .

Gypsum is manufactured into:

• plasterboard
• plaster
• other specialist boards - eg fire protection

Common sources of plasterboard waste

Plasterboard wastage of 10 to 35 per cent can be generated on site during installation. The main causes are:

• off-cuts
• damaged stock
• poor design
• poor storage and handling
• over ordering and disposal of unused materials
• off-site cutting

Recycling options for plasterboard

The options for recycling waste plasterboard produced on your construction site include:

• returning off-cuts to the manufacturer for recycling through take-back schemes
• sending waste to independent plasterboard recyclers to make into new plasterboard and cement
• sending waste to household waste recycling centres
• using gypsum as a soil conditioner
• using gypsum to make bathroom furniture mouldings

However, there are some limitations on recycling plasterboard including:

• old plasterboard removed in demolition and refurbishment projects can be contaminated with other materials and is harder to separate
• specialist types of plasterboard, such as foil backed, cannot be recycled using current technology
• plasterboard made from composite materials is difficult to separate - eg insulation bonded

Making changes to your site operations

You can make simple yet effective changes to your site's operations to reduce plasterboard waste and allow more to be recycled by:

• separating insulation waste to avoid damage
• improving transport procedures to reduce damage to materials
• providing staff with training in the handling of materials
• recovering materials and not sending them to landfill

Potential end uses for recovered plasterboard and gypsum

You can use recovered plasterboard in a number of construction applications and materials including:

• new plasterboard products via suppliers' take-back schemes
• Fermacell (dry-lining board for walls, ceilings and floors)
• unfired clay-gypsum blocks
• mushroom compost
• slope stabilisation
• road foundation construction
• bathroom furniture mouldings

See dry-lining contract work - how to cut waste and costs.

You can .

In the construction industry, plastic is mainly used in:

• pipework
• insulation
• wall coverings and flooring
• interior fittings
• window frames
• scaffolding boards
• kerbstones

Common sources of plastic waste

The main causes of plastic waste include:

• packaging (around 25 per cent of construction packaging waste)
• over ordering and disposal of off-cuts and unused materials
• over-specified project design
• poor storage and handling
• site workers' food packaging

Recycling options for plastic

A range of plastics can be recycled including:

• polyethylene terephthalate (PET)
• high density polyethylene (HDPE)
• low density polyethylene (LDPE)
• polypropylene (PP)
• polyvinyl chloride (PVC)
• polystyrene
• ABS (a copolymer of acrylonitrile, butadiene and styrene) polymers

However, there are some barriers to recycling plastic, particularly the related financial costs. For example:

• transportation costs - plastics are bulky and expensive to transport and store
• separation costs - different varieties of plastic and mixed plastics contain different dyes and additives which produce poor quality recyclate unless separated
• it can be cheaper and easier to use new plastic rather than recycled plastic
• plastic can only be recycled once

Making changes to your site operations

You can make simple yet effective changes to your site's operations to reduce plastic waste and allow more to be recycled by:

• separating plastic waste made of different polymers to reduce contamination
• providing staff with training in handling
• recovering materials and not sending to landfill
• improving transport procedures
• improving design - eg plastic pipe networks can be designed to use as few fittings as possible

Potential end uses for recovered plastic

Recovered plastic can be used in construction for damp proof membrane, drainage pipes, ducting and flooring. It can also be used in many other applications including:

• as a filler (thermoset plastics)
• packaging
• landscaping - eg walkways, jetties, pontoons, bridges, fences and signs
• textile fibre and clothing - polyester fleece clothing and polyester filling for duvets and coats is frequently made from recycled bottles
• street furniture - eg seating, bins, street signs and planters
• bin liners and refuse sacks
• traffic management products and industrial strapping

You can .

Tile and board materials used in the construction industry include:

• ceramic wall and floor tiles
• slate, glass, marble, stone and porcelain wall and floor tiles
• panelboard products - eg medium density fibreboard (MDF) or chipboard

The amount of tiles wasted during installation is around:

• 8 to 10 per cent for wall and floor tiles
• 1 to 5 per cent waste for flooring tiles
• 5 to 10 per cent for rolls of flooring

The main causes of wastage from tiles and board include off-cuts, breakages and over ordering.

Recycling options for tiles and board

The processes used to recycle tiles and board are:

• Fibresolve - subjecting wood fibre to a vacuum and pressurised steam with mechanical agitation at a high temperature
• Microrelease - using microwaves to reclaim wood fibres from the resin
• thermohydrolic processes - separating the adhesive from the wood fibres
• composting

However, there are limitations to recycling tiles and board. These material types are rarely recovered due to the short timescales for planning and carrying out demolition work.

Making changes to your site operations

You can make simple yet effective changes to your site's operations to allow more tiles and board to be recycled by:

• planning slower demolition periods
• providing staff with training in handling
• recovering materials and not sending them to landfill
• improving transport procedures

Potential end uses for recovered tiles and board

Recovered tiles and board can be used in applications and materials including:

• reusing tiles as reclaimed materials
• recycling into aggregate
• producing mineral fibre acoustic ceiling tiles

You can .

Most types of timber can be recycled. Waste wood can come in a variety of forms from medium density fibreboard (MDF) to tree branches.

The main causes of wood waste are:

• pallets
• crates
• beams
• window and doorframes
• doors
• floorboards
• shuttering
• fencing
• panels, such as chipboard

Recycling options for wood

The categories of wood which can be recycled are:

• manufacturing wood wastes
• reclaimable and recyclable wood materials - from demolition and construction, including pallets, the wood is chipped for other uses, excluding architectural salvage
• non-reclaimable and non-recyclable wood wastes - eg old fencing, laminated floor coverings and rotten windows and doors

However, there are some limitations to recycling wood, including:

• limited waste management options and facilities on site
• unknown levels of contamination
• low profitability
• limited marketplace - there are no real markets for reclaimed laminated wooden flooring as it often contains adhesives, plastics, mixed species of timber and surface finishes
• practical difficulties in recycling wood - eg a skip of chipboard is hard to recycle due to the quantity of glue
• local government policies

Making changes to your site operations

You can make simple yet effective changes to your site's operations to allow more wood to be recycled by:

• allowing time for waste management planning
• providing staff with training in waste reduction and health and safety
• selecting a secure storage area to protect materials from accidental and weather damage
• separating wood waste to avoid contamination
• arranging transport for collection of waste

Potential end uses for reclaimed wood

Reclaimed wood can be used in applications and materials including:

• chipboard, oriented strand board and fibreboard manufacture
• bedding products for animals
• play surfaces and pathways
• remanufactured products - eg fibre composites
• architectural components
• landscaping
• commercial products - eg logs, fuel chips
• liquid fuel (ethanol and methanol)
• biofuel for combined heat and power plant

See carpentry - how to cut waste and costs.

You can .

There are many business benefits of using recycled materials in your construction project, including:

• reducing material and waste disposal costs
• increasing your competitive advantage
• reducing your CO2 emissions
• meeting your planning requirements
• complementing other aspects of eco-design
• responding to and pre-empting changes in public policy, such as increases in Landfill Tax
• responding to client requirements

You could incorporate the following types of recycled materials into your construction projects:

• glass - see recycling glass from construction projects
• plasterboard - see recycling plasterboard and gypsum from construction projects
• plastics - see recycling plastic from construction projects
• wood - see recycling wood from construction projects
• aggregates - see recovering and using recycled aggregates
• paper - see using recycled paper
• compost and other organics - see using recycled organics
• rubber - see using recycled tyres
• cement replacement - eg pulverised fuel ash and ground granulated blast furnace slag

You could also consider using reclaimed products and reusing materials in your construction projects.

You can propose to use more recycled materials:

• at the design stage - see designer's guide to cutting waste from construction projects
• when using contractors - see contractor's guide to cutting waste from construction projects

Steps to consider when you incorporate recycled materials into your construction project include:

• requirements - the client sets the requirements for how much recycled content they would like to be used in the project
• generic options for improvement - the design team estimates the amount of recycled content likely to be used
• specific options for the project - refinement of recycled content figures and review of quick wins (recycled materials)
• selection - choosing quick wins which will be used in the project
• delivery - the delivery of quick wins to be used in the project
• reporting - providing the evidence that the recycled content requirement set by the client has been met

There are many different types of material that can be recycled from construction and demolition projects, particularly:

• plasterboard
• aggregates
• metals
• plastics
• glass
• wood
• bricks and blocks
• floor and wall coverings
• insulation
• packaging

The options for dealing with these materials vary, depending on the type of material and how easy and profitable it is to recycle and reuse it - find out more about recycling construction waste.

You may also be able to find ways to reuse wasted resources.

Bricks have a lifespan of more than 200 years. You can reclaim or recycle bricks and blocks which have previously been used in the construction of buildings, walls, paving and infrastructure, such as bridges and sewers. These include:

• clay bricks
• concrete precast
• aerated blocks
• stone blocks

You can also buy them from other businesses which sell reclaimed bricks.

The most common sources of brick and block waste include items that are damaged during unloading, storage and cutting, and excess due to over ordering.

Brick recycling options

You can reclaim undamaged bricks and blocks and use them in new building projects or sell them to other businesses which deal in reclaimed bricks.

You can recycle damaged bricks and blocks and use them:

• to make aggregate for use as general fill or highway sub-base
• in landscaping
• to produce new bricks and blocks
• to make sports surfaces such as tennis courts and athletics tracks
• as plant substrate

Limitations of recycling bricks and blocks

However, there are some limitations on using recycled bricks and blocks, including:

• bricks can be contaminated by other construction waste, such as plasterboard
• new aircrete blocks are cheap to buy
• cleaning bricks is time consuming and not always possible
• it is hard to assess the load-bearing capacity of recycled bricks

Reclaimed bricks are worth more than bricks which are recycled as aggregate. It is easier to source reclaimed bricks left over from new build projects, but more difficult with demolition projects.

Making changes to your site operations

You can make simple yet effective changes to your site's operations to reduce wastage and allow more waste to be recycled by:

• providing dedicated storage areas to reduce damage during storage
• training staff in the handling of materials
• planning during the design stage to minimise the need for cutting bricks and blocks
• separating brick and block waste to avoid damage and contamination
• using a lime-based mortar rather than a cement-based mortar - this allows the bricks to be recovered and reused at building deconstruction

Waste from floor and wall coverings includes:

• carpet
• carpet tiles
• vinyl and linoleum
• laminate flooring
• wood
• ceramic and terrazzo tiles
• wall paper

These items may become waste if they are:

• damaged during handling and storage
• cut to fit during laying
• not considered properly at the design stage
• excess due to over ordering
• wrongly selected and therefore not used

Recycling options for floor and wall coverings

You can sell waste from floor and wall coverings to:

• social enterprises which recondition and refurbish floor and wall coverings
• specialist recycling services which recover carpet fibres as plastics recyclate and sell on to the plastics and horticultural markets

Floor and wall covering waste can also be used for:

• road cone manufacture
• animal bedding material
• polypropylene bead manufacture
• reusing carpet recyclate
• manufacturer take-back schemes

However, there are some limitations on using recycled floor and wall coverings, including:

• there is no market for recycled 'glued-together' laminate flooring
• there is little market for recycled carpet
• the composite nature of carpets means the material is difficult to separate
• it is hard to tell apart the different polymers commonly used across different carpet types - eg polypropylene, wool rich and nylon

Making changes to your site operations

You can make simple yet effective changes to your site's operations to reduce flooring and wall covering waste and allow more to be recycled by:

• reusing spare tiles or unfinished rolls of material on another project or returning them to the supplier if a take-back scheme exists
• selecting a protected, secure area for storage to reduce waste from water and accidental damage - unused tiles or off-cuts can also be stored for reuse in later projects or kept by the client for future replacements
• putting pollution prevention measures in place

You can .

Most glass waste is produced by demolition projects and the replacement of windows in refurbishment projects (flat glass). It also comes from:

• fluorescent lighting
• PC monitors and TV screens
• structural glass - eg in modern office blocks

The main causes of glass wastage are:

• over ordering of materials
• breakages during installation
• damage during storage

Recycling options for glass

You can recycle waste glass produced on your construction site by:

• crushing
• screening to remove contamination
• air classification
• optical sorting
• size classification
• washing and drying

Recovered glass can also be used for:

• aggregates
• decorative materials
• fluxing agent in the manufacture of bricks and ceramics
• filtration medium
• insulation
• containers
• sports turf applications
• abrasives

However, there are some limitations on using recycled glass. For example:

• glass extraction and recovery can be expensive
• loading and transporting glass to cullet collection centres can cost money
• flat glass can be contaminated, which requires reprocessing before reuse

Making changes to your site operations

You can make simple yet effective changes to your site's operations to reduce glass waste and allow more to be recycled by:

• providing staff with training in the handling of materials
• separating glass waste to avoid damage and contamination
• providing dedicated storage areas to reduce the risk of damage
• arranging for materials to be delivered at the time and place on site they are required to reduce the risk of breakages during handling and storage
• arranging transport to move glass waste to cullet collection centres
• keeping records to prevent over ordering and minimise stock held on site

See window supply and installation - how to cut waste and costs.

You can .

Most insulation waste comes from demolition and refurbishment projects. The amount of waste generated during installation depends on the type of insulation. Insulation materials include:

• glass and stone wool
• polystyrene
• sheep's wool
• spray foam
• polyurethane
• fibreboard

The main causes of insulation wastage are:

• over ordering and disposal of unused materials
• ordering the wrong insulation type or thickness
• over-designed projects
• poor pre-formed design
• poor storage and handling

Recycling options for insulation

The options for recycling waste insulation produced on your construction site include:

• direct reuse of off-cuts
• returning materials through take-back schemes offered by manufacturers
• compressed stone wool ceiling tile manufacture
• reclamation and reprocessing after removing impurities such as screws and nails

However, there are some limitations on recycling insulation including:

• difficulties of recycling insulation from demolition projects which can be contaminated, eg by mortar, wood, bitumen or asbestos
• greenhouse gas emissions from breaking rigid urethane insulation
• lack of specialised recycling facilities
• lack of end markets
• low value of insulation material
• low-density waste means large areas are needed for waste storage

Making changes to your site operations

You can make simple yet effective changes to your site's operations to reduce insulation waste and allow more waste to be recycled by:

• training staff in the handling of materials
• separating insulation waste to avoid damage
• selecting a secure storage area to protect materials from accidental and weather damage and storing off-cuts and partially used rolls for reuse
• keeping records to prevent over ordering and minimise stock held on site
• recovering materials and not sending them to landfill
• improved transport procedures to reduce damage to materials

Potential end uses for recovered insulation

You can use insulation waste in a number of construction applications and materials including:

• refurbishment projects - eg glass and stone wool batt insulation can be incorporated into concrete blocks or fibreglass board
• fibreglass ceiling tiles
• voluntary sector waste projects

You can .

Gypsum is manufactured into:

• plasterboard
• plaster
• other specialist boards - eg fire protection

Common sources of plasterboard waste

Plasterboard wastage of 10 to 35 per cent can be generated on site during installation. The main causes are:

• off-cuts
• damaged stock
• poor design
• poor storage and handling
• over ordering and disposal of unused materials
• off-site cutting

Recycling options for plasterboard

The options for recycling waste plasterboard produced on your construction site include:

• returning off-cuts to the manufacturer for recycling through take-back schemes
• sending waste to independent plasterboard recyclers to make into new plasterboard and cement
• sending waste to household waste recycling centres
• using gypsum as a soil conditioner
• using gypsum to make bathroom furniture mouldings

However, there are some limitations on recycling plasterboard including:

• old plasterboard removed in demolition and refurbishment projects can be contaminated with other materials and is harder to separate
• specialist types of plasterboard, such as foil backed, cannot be recycled using current technology
• plasterboard made from composite materials is difficult to separate - eg insulation bonded

Making changes to your site operations

You can make simple yet effective changes to your site's operations to reduce plasterboard waste and allow more to be recycled by:

• separating insulation waste to avoid damage
• improving transport procedures to reduce damage to materials
• providing staff with training in the handling of materials
• recovering materials and not sending them to landfill

Potential end uses for recovered plasterboard and gypsum

You can use recovered plasterboard in a number of construction applications and materials including:

• new plasterboard products via suppliers' take-back schemes
• Fermacell (dry-lining board for walls, ceilings and floors)
• unfired clay-gypsum blocks
• mushroom compost
• slope stabilisation
• road foundation construction
• bathroom furniture mouldings

See dry-lining contract work - how to cut waste and costs.

You can .

In the construction industry, plastic is mainly used in:

• pipework
• insulation
• wall coverings and flooring
• interior fittings
• window frames
• scaffolding boards
• kerbstones

Common sources of plastic waste

The main causes of plastic waste include:

• packaging (around 25 per cent of construction packaging waste)
• over ordering and disposal of off-cuts and unused materials
• over-specified project design
• poor storage and handling
• site workers' food packaging

Recycling options for plastic

A range of plastics can be recycled including:

• polyethylene terephthalate (PET)
• high density polyethylene (HDPE)
• low density polyethylene (LDPE)
• polypropylene (PP)
• polyvinyl chloride (PVC)
• polystyrene
• ABS (a copolymer of acrylonitrile, butadiene and styrene) polymers

However, there are some barriers to recycling plastic, particularly the related financial costs. For example:

• transportation costs - plastics are bulky and expensive to transport and store
• separation costs - different varieties of plastic and mixed plastics contain different dyes and additives which produce poor quality recyclate unless separated
• it can be cheaper and easier to use new plastic rather than recycled plastic
• plastic can only be recycled once

Making changes to your site operations

You can make simple yet effective changes to your site's operations to reduce plastic waste and allow more to be recycled by:

• separating plastic waste made of different polymers to reduce contamination
• providing staff with training in handling
• recovering materials and not sending to landfill
• improving transport procedures
• improving design - eg plastic pipe networks can be designed to use as few fittings as possible

Potential end uses for recovered plastic

Recovered plastic can be used in construction for damp proof membrane, drainage pipes, ducting and flooring. It can also be used in many other applications including:

• as a filler (thermoset plastics)
• packaging
• landscaping - eg walkways, jetties, pontoons, bridges, fences and signs
• textile fibre and clothing - polyester fleece clothing and polyester filling for duvets and coats is frequently made from recycled bottles
• street furniture - eg seating, bins, street signs and planters
• bin liners and refuse sacks
• traffic management products and industrial strapping

You can .

Tile and board materials used in the construction industry include:

• ceramic wall and floor tiles
• slate, glass, marble, stone and porcelain wall and floor tiles
• panelboard products - eg medium density fibreboard (MDF) or chipboard

The amount of tiles wasted during installation is around:

• 8 to 10 per cent for wall and floor tiles
• 1 to 5 per cent waste for flooring tiles
• 5 to 10 per cent for rolls of flooring

The main causes of wastage from tiles and board include off-cuts, breakages and over ordering.

Recycling options for tiles and board

The processes used to recycle tiles and board are:

• Fibresolve - subjecting wood fibre to a vacuum and pressurised steam with mechanical agitation at a high temperature
• Microrelease - using microwaves to reclaim wood fibres from the resin
• thermohydrolic processes - separating the adhesive from the wood fibres
• composting

However, there are limitations to recycling tiles and board. These material types are rarely recovered due to the short timescales for planning and carrying out demolition work.

Making changes to your site operations

You can make simple yet effective changes to your site's operations to allow more tiles and board to be recycled by:

• planning slower demolition periods
• providing staff with training in handling
• recovering materials and not sending them to landfill
• improving transport procedures

Potential end uses for recovered tiles and board

Recovered tiles and board can be used in applications and materials including:

• reusing tiles as reclaimed materials
• recycling into aggregate
• producing mineral fibre acoustic ceiling tiles

You can .

Most types of timber can be recycled. Waste wood can come in a variety of forms from medium density fibreboard (MDF) to tree branches.

The main causes of wood waste are:

• pallets
• crates
• beams
• window and doorframes
• doors
• floorboards
• shuttering
• fencing
• panels, such as chipboard

Recycling options for wood

The categories of wood which can be recycled are:

• manufacturing wood wastes
• reclaimable and recyclable wood materials - from demolition and construction, including pallets, the wood is chipped for other uses, excluding architectural salvage
• non-reclaimable and non-recyclable wood wastes - eg old fencing, laminated floor coverings and rotten windows and doors

However, there are some limitations to recycling wood, including:

• limited waste management options and facilities on site
• unknown levels of contamination
• low profitability
• limited marketplace - there are no real markets for reclaimed laminated wooden flooring as it often contains adhesives, plastics, mixed species of timber and surface finishes
• practical difficulties in recycling wood - eg a skip of chipboard is hard to recycle due to the quantity of glue
• local government policies

Making changes to your site operations

You can make simple yet effective changes to your site's operations to allow more wood to be recycled by:

• allowing time for waste management planning
• providing staff with training in waste reduction and health and safety
• selecting a secure storage area to protect materials from accidental and weather damage
• separating wood waste to avoid contamination
• arranging transport for collection of waste

Potential end uses for reclaimed wood

Reclaimed wood can be used in applications and materials including:

• chipboard, oriented strand board and fibreboard manufacture
• bedding products for animals
• play surfaces and pathways
• remanufactured products - eg fibre composites
• architectural components
• landscaping
• commercial products - eg logs, fuel chips
• liquid fuel (ethanol and methanol)
• biofuel for combined heat and power plant

See carpentry - how to cut waste and costs.

You can .

There are many business benefits of using recycled materials in your construction project, including:

• reducing material and waste disposal costs
• increasing your competitive advantage
• reducing your CO2 emissions
• meeting your planning requirements
• complementing other aspects of eco-design
• responding to and pre-empting changes in public policy, such as increases in Landfill Tax
• responding to client requirements

You could incorporate the following types of recycled materials into your construction projects:

• glass - see recycling glass from construction projects
• plasterboard - see recycling plasterboard and gypsum from construction projects
• plastics - see recycling plastic from construction projects
• wood - see recycling wood from construction projects
• aggregates - see recovering and using recycled aggregates
• paper - see using recycled paper
• compost and other organics - see using recycled organics
• rubber - see using recycled tyres
• cement replacement - eg pulverised fuel ash and ground granulated blast furnace slag

You could also consider using reclaimed products and reusing materials in your construction projects.

You can propose to use more recycled materials:

• at the design stage - see designer's guide to cutting waste from construction projects
• when using contractors - see contractor's guide to cutting waste from construction projects

Steps to consider when you incorporate recycled materials into your construction project include:

• requirements - the client sets the requirements for how much recycled content they would like to be used in the project
• generic options for improvement - the design team estimates the amount of recycled content likely to be used
• specific options for the project - refinement of recycled content figures and review of quick wins (recycled materials)
• selection - choosing quick wins which will be used in the project
• delivery - the delivery of quick wins to be used in the project
• reporting - providing the evidence that the recycled content requirement set by the client has been met

There are many different types of material that can be recycled from construction and demolition projects, particularly:

• plasterboard
• aggregates
• metals
• plastics
• glass
• wood
• bricks and blocks
• floor and wall coverings
• insulation
• packaging

The options for dealing with these materials vary, depending on the type of material and how easy and profitable it is to recycle and reuse it - find out more about recycling construction waste.

You may also be able to find ways to reuse wasted resources.

Bricks have a lifespan of more than 200 years. You can reclaim or recycle bricks and blocks which have previously been used in the construction of buildings, walls, paving and infrastructure, such as bridges and sewers. These include:

• clay bricks
• concrete precast
• aerated blocks
• stone blocks

You can also buy them from other businesses which sell reclaimed bricks.

The most common sources of brick and block waste include items that are damaged during unloading, storage and cutting, and excess due to over ordering.

Brick recycling options

You can reclaim undamaged bricks and blocks and use them in new building projects or sell them to other businesses which deal in reclaimed bricks.

You can recycle damaged bricks and blocks and use them:

• to make aggregate for use as general fill or highway sub-base
• in landscaping
• to produce new bricks and blocks
• to make sports surfaces such as tennis courts and athletics tracks
• as plant substrate

Limitations of recycling bricks and blocks

However, there are some limitations on using recycled bricks and blocks, including:

• bricks can be contaminated by other construction waste, such as plasterboard
• new aircrete blocks are cheap to buy
• cleaning bricks is time consuming and not always possible
• it is hard to assess the load-bearing capacity of recycled bricks

Reclaimed bricks are worth more than bricks which are recycled as aggregate. It is easier to source reclaimed bricks left over from new build projects, but more difficult with demolition projects.

Making changes to your site operations

You can make simple yet effective changes to your site's operations to reduce wastage and allow more waste to be recycled by:

• providing dedicated storage areas to reduce damage during storage
• training staff in the handling of materials
• planning during the design stage to minimise the need for cutting bricks and blocks
• separating brick and block waste to avoid damage and contamination
• using a lime-based mortar rather than a cement-based mortar - this allows the bricks to be recovered and reused at building deconstruction

Waste from floor and wall coverings includes:

• carpet
• carpet tiles
• vinyl and linoleum
• laminate flooring
• wood
• ceramic and terrazzo tiles
• wall paper

These items may become waste if they are:

• damaged during handling and storage
• cut to fit during laying
• not considered properly at the design stage
• excess due to over ordering
• wrongly selected and therefore not used

Recycling options for floor and wall coverings

You can sell waste from floor and wall coverings to:

• social enterprises which recondition and refurbish floor and wall coverings
• specialist recycling services which recover carpet fibres as plastics recyclate and sell on to the plastics and horticultural markets

Floor and wall covering waste can also be used for:

• road cone manufacture
• animal bedding material
• polypropylene bead manufacture
• reusing carpet recyclate
• manufacturer take-back schemes

However, there are some limitations on using recycled floor and wall coverings, including:

• there is no market for recycled 'glued-together' laminate flooring
• there is little market for recycled carpet
• the composite nature of carpets means the material is difficult to separate
• it is hard to tell apart the different polymers commonly used across different carpet types - eg polypropylene, wool rich and nylon

Making changes to your site operations

You can make simple yet effective changes to your site's operations to reduce flooring and wall covering waste and allow more to be recycled by:

• reusing spare tiles or unfinished rolls of material on another project or returning them to the supplier if a take-back scheme exists
• selecting a protected, secure area for storage to reduce waste from water and accidental damage - unused tiles or off-cuts can also be stored for reuse in later projects or kept by the client for future replacements
• putting pollution prevention measures in place

You can .

Most glass waste is produced by demolition projects and the replacement of windows in refurbishment projects (flat glass). It also comes from:

• fluorescent lighting
• PC monitors and TV screens
• structural glass - eg in modern office blocks

The main causes of glass wastage are:

• over ordering of materials
• breakages during installation
• damage during storage

Recycling options for glass

You can recycle waste glass produced on your construction site by:

• crushing
• screening to remove contamination
• air classification
• optical sorting
• size classification
• washing and drying

Recovered glass can also be used for:

• aggregates
• decorative materials
• fluxing agent in the manufacture of bricks and ceramics
• filtration medium
• insulation
• containers
• sports turf applications
• abrasives

However, there are some limitations on using recycled glass. For example:

• glass extraction and recovery can be expensive
• loading and transporting glass to cullet collection centres can cost money
• flat glass can be contaminated, which requires reprocessing before reuse

Making changes to your site operations

You can make simple yet effective changes to your site's operations to reduce glass waste and allow more to be recycled by:

• providing staff with training in the handling of materials
• separating glass waste to avoid damage and contamination
• providing dedicated storage areas to reduce the risk of damage
• arranging for materials to be delivered at the time and place on site they are required to reduce the risk of breakages during handling and storage
• arranging transport to move glass waste to cullet collection centres
• keeping records to prevent over ordering and minimise stock held on site

See window supply and installation - how to cut waste and costs.

You can .

Most insulation waste comes from demolition and refurbishment projects. The amount of waste generated during installation depends on the type of insulation. Insulation materials include:

• glass and stone wool
• polystyrene
• sheep's wool
• spray foam
• polyurethane
• fibreboard

The main causes of insulation wastage are:

• over ordering and disposal of unused materials
• ordering the wrong insulation type or thickness
• over-designed projects
• poor pre-formed design
• poor storage and handling

Recycling options for insulation

The options for recycling waste insulation produced on your construction site include:

• direct reuse of off-cuts
• returning materials through take-back schemes offered by manufacturers
• compressed stone wool ceiling tile manufacture
• reclamation and reprocessing after removing impurities such as screws and nails

However, there are some limitations on recycling insulation including:

• difficulties of recycling insulation from demolition projects which can be contaminated, eg by mortar, wood, bitumen or asbestos
• greenhouse gas emissions from breaking rigid urethane insulation
• lack of specialised recycling facilities
• lack of end markets
• low value of insulation material
• low-density waste means large areas are needed for waste storage

Making changes to your site operations

You can make simple yet effective changes to your site's operations to reduce insulation waste and allow more waste to be recycled by:

• training staff in the handling of materials
• separating insulation waste to avoid damage
• selecting a secure storage area to protect materials from accidental and weather damage and storing off-cuts and partially used rolls for reuse
• keeping records to prevent over ordering and minimise stock held on site
• recovering materials and not sending them to landfill
• improved transport procedures to reduce damage to materials

Potential end uses for recovered insulation

You can use insulation waste in a number of construction applications and materials including:

• refurbishment projects - eg glass and stone wool batt insulation can be incorporated into concrete blocks or fibreglass board
• fibreglass ceiling tiles
• voluntary sector waste projects

You can .

Gypsum is manufactured into:

• plasterboard
• plaster
• other specialist boards - eg fire protection

Common sources of plasterboard waste

Plasterboard wastage of 10 to 35 per cent can be generated on site during installation. The main causes are:

• off-cuts
• damaged stock
• poor design
• poor storage and handling
• over ordering and disposal of unused materials
• off-site cutting

Recycling options for plasterboard

The options for recycling waste plasterboard produced on your construction site include:

• returning off-cuts to the manufacturer for recycling through take-back schemes
• sending waste to independent plasterboard recyclers to make into new plasterboard and cement
• sending waste to household waste recycling centres
• using gypsum as a soil conditioner
• using gypsum to make bathroom furniture mouldings

However, there are some limitations on recycling plasterboard including:

• old plasterboard removed in demolition and refurbishment projects can be contaminated with other materials and is harder to separate
• specialist types of plasterboard, such as foil backed, cannot be recycled using current technology
• plasterboard made from composite materials is difficult to separate - eg insulation bonded

Making changes to your site operations

You can make simple yet effective changes to your site's operations to reduce plasterboard waste and allow more to be recycled by:

• separating insulation waste to avoid damage
• improving transport procedures to reduce damage to materials
• providing staff with training in the handling of materials
• recovering materials and not sending them to landfill

Potential end uses for recovered plasterboard and gypsum

You can use recovered plasterboard in a number of construction applications and materials including:

• new plasterboard products via suppliers' take-back schemes
• Fermacell (dry-lining board for walls, ceilings and floors)
• unfired clay-gypsum blocks
• mushroom compost
• slope stabilisation
• road foundation construction
• bathroom furniture mouldings

See dry-lining contract work - how to cut waste and costs.

You can .

In the construction industry, plastic is mainly used in:

• pipework
• insulation
• wall coverings and flooring
• interior fittings
• window frames
• scaffolding boards
• kerbstones

Common sources of plastic waste

The main causes of plastic waste include:

• packaging (around 25 per cent of construction packaging waste)
• over ordering and disposal of off-cuts and unused materials
• over-specified project design
• poor storage and handling
• site workers' food packaging

Recycling options for plastic

A range of plastics can be recycled including:

• polyethylene terephthalate (PET)
• high density polyethylene (HDPE)
• low density polyethylene (LDPE)
• polypropylene (PP)
• polyvinyl chloride (PVC)
• polystyrene
• ABS (a copolymer of acrylonitrile, butadiene and styrene) polymers

However, there are some barriers to recycling plastic, particularly the related financial costs. For example:

• transportation costs - plastics are bulky and expensive to transport and store
• separation costs - different varieties of plastic and mixed plastics contain different dyes and additives which produce poor quality recyclate unless separated
• it can be cheaper and easier to use new plastic rather than recycled plastic
• plastic can only be recycled once

Making changes to your site operations

You can make simple yet effective changes to your site's operations to reduce plastic waste and allow more to be recycled by:

• separating plastic waste made of different polymers to reduce contamination
• providing staff with training in handling
• recovering materials and not sending to landfill
• improving transport procedures
• improving design - eg plastic pipe networks can be designed to use as few fittings as possible

Potential end uses for recovered plastic

Recovered plastic can be used in construction for damp proof membrane, drainage pipes, ducting and flooring. It can also be used in many other applications including:

• as a filler (thermoset plastics)
• packaging
• landscaping - eg walkways, jetties, pontoons, bridges, fences and signs
• textile fibre and clothing - polyester fleece clothing and polyester filling for duvets and coats is frequently made from recycled bottles
• street furniture - eg seating, bins, street signs and planters
• bin liners and refuse sacks
• traffic management products and industrial strapping

You can .

Tile and board materials used in the construction industry include:

• ceramic wall and floor tiles
• slate, glass, marble, stone and porcelain wall and floor tiles
• panelboard products - eg medium density fibreboard (MDF) or chipboard

The amount of tiles wasted during installation is around:

• 8 to 10 per cent for wall and floor tiles
• 1 to 5 per cent waste for flooring tiles
• 5 to 10 per cent for rolls of flooring

The main causes of wastage from tiles and board include off-cuts, breakages and over ordering.

Recycling options for tiles and board

The processes used to recycle tiles and board are:

• Fibresolve - subjecting wood fibre to a vacuum and pressurised steam with mechanical agitation at a high temperature
• Microrelease - using microwaves to reclaim wood fibres from the resin
• thermohydrolic processes - separating the adhesive from the wood fibres
• composting

However, there are limitations to recycling tiles and board. These material types are rarely recovered due to the short timescales for planning and carrying out demolition work.

Making changes to your site operations

You can make simple yet effective changes to your site's operations to allow more tiles and board to be recycled by:

• planning slower demolition periods
• providing staff with training in handling
• recovering materials and not sending them to landfill
• improving transport procedures

Potential end uses for recovered tiles and board

Recovered tiles and board can be used in applications and materials including:

• reusing tiles as reclaimed materials
• recycling into aggregate
• producing mineral fibre acoustic ceiling tiles

You can .

Most types of timber can be recycled. Waste wood can come in a variety of forms from medium density fibreboard (MDF) to tree branches.

The main causes of wood waste are:

• pallets
• crates
• beams
• window and doorframes
• doors
• floorboards
• shuttering
• fencing
• panels, such as chipboard

Recycling options for wood

The categories of wood which can be recycled are:

• manufacturing wood wastes
• reclaimable and recyclable wood materials - from demolition and construction, including pallets, the wood is chipped for other uses, excluding architectural salvage
• non-reclaimable and non-recyclable wood wastes - eg old fencing, laminated floor coverings and rotten windows and doors

However, there are some limitations to recycling wood, including:

• limited waste management options and facilities on site
• unknown levels of contamination
• low profitability
• limited marketplace - there are no real markets for reclaimed laminated wooden flooring as it often contains adhesives, plastics, mixed species of timber and surface finishes
• practical difficulties in recycling wood - eg a skip of chipboard is hard to recycle due to the quantity of glue
• local government policies

Making changes to your site operations

You can make simple yet effective changes to your site's operations to allow more wood to be recycled by:

• allowing time for waste management planning
• providing staff with training in waste reduction and health and safety
• selecting a secure storage area to protect materials from accidental and weather damage
• separating wood waste to avoid contamination
• arranging transport for collection of waste

Potential end uses for reclaimed wood

Reclaimed wood can be used in applications and materials including:

• chipboard, oriented strand board and fibreboard manufacture
• bedding products for animals
• play surfaces and pathways
• remanufactured products - eg fibre composites
• architectural components
• landscaping
• commercial products - eg logs, fuel chips
• liquid fuel (ethanol and methanol)
• biofuel for combined heat and power plant

See carpentry - how to cut waste and costs.

You can .

There are many business benefits of using recycled materials in your construction project, including:

• reducing material and waste disposal costs
• increasing your competitive advantage
• reducing your CO2 emissions
• meeting your planning requirements
• complementing other aspects of eco-design
• responding to and pre-empting changes in public policy, such as increases in Landfill Tax
• responding to client requirements

You could incorporate the following types of recycled materials into your construction projects:

• glass - see recycling glass from construction projects
• plasterboard - see recycling plasterboard and gypsum from construction projects
• plastics - see recycling plastic from construction projects
• wood - see recycling wood from construction projects
• aggregates - see recovering and using recycled aggregates
• paper - see using recycled paper
• compost and other organics - see using recycled organics
• rubber - see using recycled tyres
• cement replacement - eg pulverised fuel ash and ground granulated blast furnace slag

You could also consider using reclaimed products and reusing materials in your construction projects.

You can propose to use more recycled materials:

• at the design stage - see designer's guide to cutting waste from construction projects
• when using contractors - see contractor's guide to cutting waste from construction projects

Steps to consider when you incorporate recycled materials into your construction project include:

• requirements - the client sets the requirements for how much recycled content they would like to be used in the project
• generic options for improvement - the design team estimates the amount of recycled content likely to be used
• specific options for the project - refinement of recycled content figures and review of quick wins (recycled materials)
• selection - choosing quick wins which will be used in the project
• delivery - the delivery of quick wins to be used in the project
• reporting - providing the evidence that the recycled content requirement set by the client has been met

There are many different types of material that can be recycled from construction and demolition projects, particularly:

• plasterboard
• aggregates
• metals
• plastics
• glass
• wood
• bricks and blocks
• floor and wall coverings
• insulation
• packaging

The options for dealing with these materials vary, depending on the type of material and how easy and profitable it is to recycle and reuse it - find out more about recycling construction waste.

You may also be able to find ways to reuse wasted resources.

Bricks have a lifespan of more than 200 years. You can reclaim or recycle bricks and blocks which have previously been used in the construction of buildings, walls, paving and infrastructure, such as bridges and sewers. These include:

• clay bricks
• concrete precast
• aerated blocks
• stone blocks

You can also buy them from other businesses which sell reclaimed bricks.

The most common sources of brick and block waste include items that are damaged during unloading, storage and cutting, and excess due to over ordering.

Brick recycling options

You can reclaim undamaged bricks and blocks and use them in new building projects or sell them to other businesses which deal in reclaimed bricks.

You can recycle damaged bricks and blocks and use them:

• to make aggregate for use as general fill or highway sub-base
• in landscaping
• to produce new bricks and blocks
• to make sports surfaces such as tennis courts and athletics tracks
• as plant substrate

Limitations of recycling bricks and blocks

However, there are some limitations on using recycled bricks and blocks, including:

• bricks can be contaminated by other construction waste, such as plasterboard
• new aircrete blocks are cheap to buy
• cleaning bricks is time consuming and not always possible
• it is hard to assess the load-bearing capacity of recycled bricks

Reclaimed bricks are worth more than bricks which are recycled as aggregate. It is easier to source reclaimed bricks left over from new build projects, but more difficult with demolition projects.

Making changes to your site operations

You can make simple yet effective changes to your site's operations to reduce wastage and allow more waste to be recycled by:

• providing dedicated storage areas to reduce damage during storage
• training staff in the handling of materials
• planning during the design stage to minimise the need for cutting bricks and blocks
• separating brick and block waste to avoid damage and contamination
• using a lime-based mortar rather than a cement-based mortar - this allows the bricks to be recovered and reused at building deconstruction

Waste from floor and wall coverings includes:

• carpet
• carpet tiles
• vinyl and linoleum
• laminate flooring
• wood
• ceramic and terrazzo tiles
• wall paper

These items may become waste if they are:

• damaged during handling and storage
• cut to fit during laying
• not considered properly at the design stage
• excess due to over ordering
• wrongly selected and therefore not used

Recycling options for floor and wall coverings

You can sell waste from floor and wall coverings to:

• social enterprises which recondition and refurbish floor and wall coverings
• specialist recycling services which recover carpet fibres as plastics recyclate and sell on to the plastics and horticultural markets

Floor and wall covering waste can also be used for:

• road cone manufacture
• animal bedding material
• polypropylene bead manufacture
• reusing carpet recyclate
• manufacturer take-back schemes

However, there are some limitations on using recycled floor and wall coverings, including:

• there is no market for recycled 'glued-together' laminate flooring
• there is little market for recycled carpet
• the composite nature of carpets means the material is difficult to separate
• it is hard to tell apart the different polymers commonly used across different carpet types - eg polypropylene, wool rich and nylon

Making changes to your site operations

You can make simple yet effective changes to your site's operations to reduce flooring and wall covering waste and allow more to be recycled by:

• reusing spare tiles or unfinished rolls of material on another project or returning them to the supplier if a take-back scheme exists
• selecting a protected, secure area for storage to reduce waste from water and accidental damage - unused tiles or off-cuts can also be stored for reuse in later projects or kept by the client for future replacements
• putting pollution prevention measures in place

You can .

Most glass waste is produced by demolition projects and the replacement of windows in refurbishment projects (flat glass). It also comes from:

• fluorescent lighting
• PC monitors and TV screens
• structural glass - eg in modern office blocks

The main causes of glass wastage are:

• over ordering of materials
• breakages during installation
• damage during storage

Recycling options for glass

You can recycle waste glass produced on your construction site by:

• crushing
• screening to remove contamination
• air classification
• optical sorting
• size classification
• washing and drying

Recovered glass can also be used for:

• aggregates
• decorative materials
• fluxing agent in the manufacture of bricks and ceramics
• filtration medium
• insulation
• containers
• sports turf applications
• abrasives

However, there are some limitations on using recycled glass. For example:

• glass extraction and recovery can be expensive
• loading and transporting glass to cullet collection centres can cost money
• flat glass can be contaminated, which requires reprocessing before reuse

Making changes to your site operations

You can make simple yet effective changes to your site's operations to reduce glass waste and allow more to be recycled by:

• providing staff with training in the handling of materials
• separating glass waste to avoid damage and contamination
• providing dedicated storage areas to reduce the risk of damage
• arranging for materials to be delivered at the time and place on site they are required to reduce the risk of breakages during handling and storage
• arranging transport to move glass waste to cullet collection centres
• keeping records to prevent over ordering and minimise stock held on site

See window supply and installation - how to cut waste and costs.

You can .

Most insulation waste comes from demolition and refurbishment projects. The amount of waste generated during installation depends on the type of insulation. Insulation materials include:

• glass and stone wool
• polystyrene
• sheep's wool
• spray foam
• polyurethane
• fibreboard

The main causes of insulation wastage are:

• over ordering and disposal of unused materials
• ordering the wrong insulation type or thickness
• over-designed projects
• poor pre-formed design
• poor storage and handling

Recycling options for insulation

The options for recycling waste insulation produced on your construction site include:

• direct reuse of off-cuts
• returning materials through take-back schemes offered by manufacturers
• compressed stone wool ceiling tile manufacture
• reclamation and reprocessing after removing impurities such as screws and nails

However, there are some limitations on recycling insulation including:

• difficulties of recycling insulation from demolition projects which can be contaminated, eg by mortar, wood, bitumen or asbestos
• greenhouse gas emissions from breaking rigid urethane insulation
• lack of specialised recycling facilities
• lack of end markets
• low value of insulation material
• low-density waste means large areas are needed for waste storage

Making changes to your site operations

You can make simple yet effective changes to your site's operations to reduce insulation waste and allow more waste to be recycled by:

• training staff in the handling of materials
• separating insulation waste to avoid damage
• selecting a secure storage area to protect materials from accidental and weather damage and storing off-cuts and partially used rolls for reuse
• keeping records to prevent over ordering and minimise stock held on site
• recovering materials and not sending them to landfill
• improved transport procedures to reduce damage to materials

Potential end uses for recovered insulation

You can use insulation waste in a number of construction applications and materials including:

• refurbishment projects - eg glass and stone wool batt insulation can be incorporated into concrete blocks or fibreglass board
• fibreglass ceiling tiles
• voluntary sector waste projects

You can .

Gypsum is manufactured into:

• plasterboard
• plaster
• other specialist boards - eg fire protection

Common sources of plasterboard waste

Plasterboard wastage of 10 to 35 per cent can be generated on site during installation. The main causes are:

• off-cuts
• damaged stock
• poor design
• poor storage and handling
• over ordering and disposal of unused materials
• off-site cutting

Recycling options for plasterboard

The options for recycling waste plasterboard produced on your construction site include:

• returning off-cuts to the manufacturer for recycling through take-back schemes
• sending waste to independent plasterboard recyclers to make into new plasterboard and cement
• sending waste to household waste recycling centres
• using gypsum as a soil conditioner
• using gypsum to make bathroom furniture mouldings

However, there are some limitations on recycling plasterboard including:

• old plasterboard removed in demolition and refurbishment projects can be contaminated with other materials and is harder to separate
• specialist types of plasterboard, such as foil backed, cannot be recycled using current technology
• plasterboard made from composite materials is difficult to separate - eg insulation bonded

Making changes to your site operations

You can make simple yet effective changes to your site's operations to reduce plasterboard waste and allow more to be recycled by:

• separating insulation waste to avoid damage
• improving transport procedures to reduce damage to materials
• providing staff with training in the handling of materials
• recovering materials and not sending them to landfill

Potential end uses for recovered plasterboard and gypsum

You can use recovered plasterboard in a number of construction applications and materials including:

• new plasterboard products via suppliers' take-back schemes
• Fermacell (dry-lining board for walls, ceilings and floors)
• unfired clay-gypsum blocks
• mushroom compost
• slope stabilisation
• road foundation construction
• bathroom furniture mouldings

See dry-lining contract work - how to cut waste and costs.

You can .

In the construction industry, plastic is mainly used in:

• pipework
• insulation
• wall coverings and flooring
• interior fittings
• window frames
• scaffolding boards
• kerbstones

Common sources of plastic waste

The main causes of plastic waste include:

• packaging (around 25 per cent of construction packaging waste)
• over ordering and disposal of off-cuts and unused materials
• over-specified project design
• poor storage and handling
• site workers' food packaging

Recycling options for plastic

A range of plastics can be recycled including:

• polyethylene terephthalate (PET)
• high density polyethylene (HDPE)
• low density polyethylene (LDPE)
• polypropylene (PP)
• polyvinyl chloride (PVC)
• polystyrene
• ABS (a copolymer of acrylonitrile, butadiene and styrene) polymers

However, there are some barriers to recycling plastic, particularly the related financial costs. For example:

• transportation costs - plastics are bulky and expensive to transport and store
• separation costs - different varieties of plastic and mixed plastics contain different dyes and additives which produce poor quality recyclate unless separated
• it can be cheaper and easier to use new plastic rather than recycled plastic
• plastic can only be recycled once

Making changes to your site operations

You can make simple yet effective changes to your site's operations to reduce plastic waste and allow more to be recycled by:

• separating plastic waste made of different polymers to reduce contamination
• providing staff with training in handling
• recovering materials and not sending to landfill
• improving transport procedures
• improving design - eg plastic pipe networks can be designed to use as few fittings as possible

Potential end uses for recovered plastic

Recovered plastic can be used in construction for damp proof membrane, drainage pipes, ducting and flooring. It can also be used in many other applications including:

• as a filler (thermoset plastics)
• packaging
• landscaping - eg walkways, jetties, pontoons, bridges, fences and signs
• textile fibre and clothing - polyester fleece clothing and polyester filling for duvets and coats is frequently made from recycled bottles
• street furniture - eg seating, bins, street signs and planters
• bin liners and refuse sacks
• traffic management products and industrial strapping

You can .

Tile and board materials used in the construction industry include:

• ceramic wall and floor tiles
• slate, glass, marble, stone and porcelain wall and floor tiles
• panelboard products - eg medium density fibreboard (MDF) or chipboard

The amount of tiles wasted during installation is around:

• 8 to 10 per cent for wall and floor tiles
• 1 to 5 per cent waste for flooring tiles
• 5 to 10 per cent for rolls of flooring

The main causes of wastage from tiles and board include off-cuts, breakages and over ordering.

Recycling options for tiles and board

The processes used to recycle tiles and board are:

• Fibresolve - subjecting wood fibre to a vacuum and pressurised steam with mechanical agitation at a high temperature
• Microrelease - using microwaves to reclaim wood fibres from the resin
• thermohydrolic processes - separating the adhesive from the wood fibres
• composting

However, there are limitations to recycling tiles and board. These material types are rarely recovered due to the short timescales for planning and carrying out demolition work.

Making changes to your site operations

You can make simple yet effective changes to your site's operations to allow more tiles and board to be recycled by:

• planning slower demolition periods
• providing staff with training in handling
• recovering materials and not sending them to landfill
• improving transport procedures

Potential end uses for recovered tiles and board

Recovered tiles and board can be used in applications and materials including:

• reusing tiles as reclaimed materials
• recycling into aggregate
• producing mineral fibre acoustic ceiling tiles

You can .

Most types of timber can be recycled. Waste wood can come in a variety of forms from medium density fibreboard (MDF) to tree branches.

The main causes of wood waste are:

• pallets
• crates
• beams
• window and doorframes
• doors
• floorboards
• shuttering
• fencing
• panels, such as chipboard

Recycling options for wood

The categories of wood which can be recycled are:

• manufacturing wood wastes
• reclaimable and recyclable wood materials - from demolition and construction, including pallets, the wood is chipped for other uses, excluding architectural salvage
• non-reclaimable and non-recyclable wood wastes - eg old fencing, laminated floor coverings and rotten windows and doors

However, there are some limitations to recycling wood, including:

• limited waste management options and facilities on site
• unknown levels of contamination
• low profitability
• limited marketplace - there are no real markets for reclaimed laminated wooden flooring as it often contains adhesives, plastics, mixed species of timber and surface finishes
• practical difficulties in recycling wood - eg a skip of chipboard is hard to recycle due to the quantity of glue
• local government policies

Making changes to your site operations

You can make simple yet effective changes to your site's operations to allow more wood to be recycled by:

• allowing time for waste management planning
• providing staff with training in waste reduction and health and safety
• selecting a secure storage area to protect materials from accidental and weather damage
• separating wood waste to avoid contamination
• arranging transport for collection of waste

Potential end uses for reclaimed wood

Reclaimed wood can be used in applications and materials including:

• chipboard, oriented strand board and fibreboard manufacture
• bedding products for animals
• play surfaces and pathways
• remanufactured products - eg fibre composites
• architectural components
• landscaping
• commercial products - eg logs, fuel chips
• liquid fuel (ethanol and methanol)
• biofuel for combined heat and power plant

See carpentry - how to cut waste and costs.

You can .

There are many business benefits of using recycled materials in your construction project, including:

• reducing material and waste disposal costs
• increasing your competitive advantage
• reducing your CO2 emissions
• meeting your planning requirements
• complementing other aspects of eco-design
• responding to and pre-empting changes in public policy, such as increases in Landfill Tax
• responding to client requirements

You could incorporate the following types of recycled materials into your construction projects:

• glass - see recycling glass from construction projects
• plasterboard - see recycling plasterboard and gypsum from construction projects
• plastics - see recycling plastic from construction projects
• wood - see recycling wood from construction projects
• aggregates - see recovering and using recycled aggregates
• paper - see using recycled paper
• compost and other organics - see using recycled organics
• rubber - see using recycled tyres
• cement replacement - eg pulverised fuel ash and ground granulated blast furnace slag

You could also consider using reclaimed products and reusing materials in your construction projects.

You can propose to use more recycled materials:

• at the design stage - see designer's guide to cutting waste from construction projects
• when using contractors - see contractor's guide to cutting waste from construction projects

Steps to consider when you incorporate recycled materials into your construction project include:

• requirements - the client sets the requirements for how much recycled content they would like to be used in the project
• generic options for improvement - the design team estimates the amount of recycled content likely to be used
• specific options for the project - refinement of recycled content figures and review of quick wins (recycled materials)
• selection - choosing quick wins which will be used in the project
• delivery - the delivery of quick wins to be used in the project
• reporting - providing the evidence that the recycled content requirement set by the client has been met

There are many different types of material that can be recycled from construction and demolition projects, particularly:

• plasterboard
• aggregates
• metals
• plastics
• glass
• wood
• bricks and blocks
• floor and wall coverings
• insulation
• packaging

The options for dealing with these materials vary, depending on the type of material and how easy and profitable it is to recycle and reuse it - find out more about recycling construction waste.

You may also be able to find ways to reuse wasted resources.

Bricks have a lifespan of more than 200 years. You can reclaim or recycle bricks and blocks which have previously been used in the construction of buildings, walls, paving and infrastructure, such as bridges and sewers. These include:

• clay bricks
• concrete precast
• aerated blocks
• stone blocks

You can also buy them from other businesses which sell reclaimed bricks.

The most common sources of brick and block waste include items that are damaged during unloading, storage and cutting, and excess due to over ordering.

Brick recycling options

You can reclaim undamaged bricks and blocks and use them in new building projects or sell them to other businesses which deal in reclaimed bricks.

You can recycle damaged bricks and blocks and use them:

• to make aggregate for use as general fill or highway sub-base
• in landscaping
• to produce new bricks and blocks
• to make sports surfaces such as tennis courts and athletics tracks
• as plant substrate

Limitations of recycling bricks and blocks

However, there are some limitations on using recycled bricks and blocks, including:

• bricks can be contaminated by other construction waste, such as plasterboard
• new aircrete blocks are cheap to buy
• cleaning bricks is time consuming and not always possible
• it is hard to assess the load-bearing capacity of recycled bricks

Reclaimed bricks are worth more than bricks which are recycled as aggregate. It is easier to source reclaimed bricks left over from new build projects, but more difficult with demolition projects.

Making changes to your site operations

You can make simple yet effective changes to your site's operations to reduce wastage and allow more waste to be recycled by:

• providing dedicated storage areas to reduce damage during storage
• training staff in the handling of materials
• planning during the design stage to minimise the need for cutting bricks and blocks
• separating brick and block waste to avoid damage and contamination
• using a lime-based mortar rather than a cement-based mortar - this allows the bricks to be recovered and reused at building deconstruction

Waste from floor and wall coverings includes:

• carpet
• carpet tiles
• vinyl and linoleum
• laminate flooring
• wood
• ceramic and terrazzo tiles
• wall paper

These items may become waste if they are:

• damaged during handling and storage
• cut to fit during laying
• not considered properly at the design stage
• excess due to over ordering
• wrongly selected and therefore not used

Recycling options for floor and wall coverings

You can sell waste from floor and wall coverings to:

• social enterprises which recondition and refurbish floor and wall coverings
• specialist recycling services which recover carpet fibres as plastics recyclate and sell on to the plastics and horticultural markets

Floor and wall covering waste can also be used for:

• road cone manufacture
• animal bedding material
• polypropylene bead manufacture
• reusing carpet recyclate
• manufacturer take-back schemes

However, there are some limitations on using recycled floor and wall coverings, including:

• there is no market for recycled 'glued-together' laminate flooring
• there is little market for recycled carpet
• the composite nature of carpets means the material is difficult to separate
• it is hard to tell apart the different polymers commonly used across different carpet types - eg polypropylene, wool rich and nylon

Making changes to your site operations

You can make simple yet effective changes to your site's operations to reduce flooring and wall covering waste and allow more to be recycled by:

• reusing spare tiles or unfinished rolls of material on another project or returning them to the supplier if a take-back scheme exists
• selecting a protected, secure area for storage to reduce waste from water and accidental damage - unused tiles or off-cuts can also be stored for reuse in later projects or kept by the client for future replacements
• putting pollution prevention measures in place

You can .

Most glass waste is produced by demolition projects and the replacement of windows in refurbishment projects (flat glass). It also comes from:

• fluorescent lighting
• PC monitors and TV screens
• structural glass - eg in modern office blocks

The main causes of glass wastage are:

• over ordering of materials
• breakages during installation
• damage during storage

Recycling options for glass

You can recycle waste glass produced on your construction site by:

• crushing
• screening to remove contamination
• air classification
• optical sorting
• size classification
• washing and drying

Recovered glass can also be used for:

• aggregates
• decorative materials
• fluxing agent in the manufacture of bricks and ceramics
• filtration medium
• insulation
• containers
• sports turf applications
• abrasives

However, there are some limitations on using recycled glass. For example:

• glass extraction and recovery can be expensive
• loading and transporting glass to cullet collection centres can cost money
• flat glass can be contaminated, which requires reprocessing before reuse

Making changes to your site operations

You can make simple yet effective changes to your site's operations to reduce glass waste and allow more to be recycled by:

• providing staff with training in the handling of materials
• separating glass waste to avoid damage and contamination
• providing dedicated storage areas to reduce the risk of damage
• arranging for materials to be delivered at the time and place on site they are required to reduce the risk of breakages during handling and storage
• arranging transport to move glass waste to cullet collection centres
• keeping records to prevent over ordering and minimise stock held on site

See window supply and installation - how to cut waste and costs.

You can .

Most insulation waste comes from demolition and refurbishment projects. The amount of waste generated during installation depends on the type of insulation. Insulation materials include:

• glass and stone wool
• polystyrene
• sheep's wool
• spray foam
• polyurethane
• fibreboard

The main causes of insulation wastage are:

• over ordering and disposal of unused materials
• ordering the wrong insulation type or thickness
• over-designed projects
• poor pre-formed design
• poor storage and handling

Recycling options for insulation

The options for recycling waste insulation produced on your construction site include:

• direct reuse of off-cuts
• returning materials through take-back schemes offered by manufacturers
• compressed stone wool ceiling tile manufacture
• reclamation and reprocessing after removing impurities such as screws and nails

However, there are some limitations on recycling insulation including:

• difficulties of recycling insulation from demolition projects which can be contaminated, eg by mortar, wood, bitumen or asbestos
• greenhouse gas emissions from breaking rigid urethane insulation
• lack of specialised recycling facilities
• lack of end markets
• low value of insulation material
• low-density waste means large areas are needed for waste storage

Making changes to your site operations

You can make simple yet effective changes to your site's operations to reduce insulation waste and allow more waste to be recycled by:

• training staff in the handling of materials
• separating insulation waste to avoid damage
• selecting a secure storage area to protect materials from accidental and weather damage and storing off-cuts and partially used rolls for reuse
• keeping records to prevent over ordering and minimise stock held on site
• recovering materials and not sending them to landfill
• improved transport procedures to reduce damage to materials

Potential end uses for recovered insulation

You can use insulation waste in a number of construction applications and materials including:

• refurbishment projects - eg glass and stone wool batt insulation can be incorporated into concrete blocks or fibreglass board
• fibreglass ceiling tiles
• voluntary sector waste projects

You can .

Gypsum is manufactured into:

• plasterboard
• plaster
• other specialist boards - eg fire protection

Common sources of plasterboard waste

Plasterboard wastage of 10 to 35 per cent can be generated on site during installation. The main causes are:

• off-cuts
• damaged stock
• poor design
• poor storage and handling
• over ordering and disposal of unused materials
• off-site cutting

Recycling options for plasterboard

The options for recycling waste plasterboard produced on your construction site include:

• returning off-cuts to the manufacturer for recycling through take-back schemes
• sending waste to independent plasterboard recyclers to make into new plasterboard and cement
• sending waste to household waste recycling centres
• using gypsum as a soil conditioner
• using gypsum to make bathroom furniture mouldings

However, there are some limitations on recycling plasterboard including:

• old plasterboard removed in demolition and refurbishment projects can be contaminated with other materials and is harder to separate
• specialist types of plasterboard, such as foil backed, cannot be recycled using current technology
• plasterboard made from composite materials is difficult to separate - eg insulation bonded

Making changes to your site operations

You can make simple yet effective changes to your site's operations to reduce plasterboard waste and allow more to be recycled by:

• separating insulation waste to avoid damage
• improving transport procedures to reduce damage to materials
• providing staff with training in the handling of materials
• recovering materials and not sending them to landfill

Potential end uses for recovered plasterboard and gypsum

You can use recovered plasterboard in a number of construction applications and materials including:

• new plasterboard products via suppliers' take-back schemes
• Fermacell (dry-lining board for walls, ceilings and floors)
• unfired clay-gypsum blocks
• mushroom compost
• slope stabilisation
• road foundation construction
• bathroom furniture mouldings

See dry-lining contract work - how to cut waste and costs.

You can .

In the construction industry, plastic is mainly used in:

• pipework
• insulation
• wall coverings and flooring
• interior fittings
• window frames
• scaffolding boards
• kerbstones

Common sources of plastic waste

The main causes of plastic waste include:

• packaging (around 25 per cent of construction packaging waste)
• over ordering and disposal of off-cuts and unused materials
• over-specified project design
• poor storage and handling
• site workers' food packaging

Recycling options for plastic

A range of plastics can be recycled including:

• polyethylene terephthalate (PET)
• high density polyethylene (HDPE)
• low density polyethylene (LDPE)
• polypropylene (PP)
• polyvinyl chloride (PVC)
• polystyrene
• ABS (a copolymer of acrylonitrile, butadiene and styrene) polymers

However, there are some barriers to recycling plastic, particularly the related financial costs. For example:

• transportation costs - plastics are bulky and expensive to transport and store
• separation costs - different varieties of plastic and mixed plastics contain different dyes and additives which produce poor quality recyclate unless separated
• it can be cheaper and easier to use new plastic rather than recycled plastic
• plastic can only be recycled once

Making changes to your site operations

You can make simple yet effective changes to your site's operations to reduce plastic waste and allow more to be recycled by:

• separating plastic waste made of different polymers to reduce contamination
• providing staff with training in handling
• recovering materials and not sending to landfill
• improving transport procedures
• improving design - eg plastic pipe networks can be designed to use as few fittings as possible

Potential end uses for recovered plastic

Recovered plastic can be used in construction for damp proof membrane, drainage pipes, ducting and flooring. It can also be used in many other applications including:

• as a filler (thermoset plastics)
• packaging
• landscaping - eg walkways, jetties, pontoons, bridges, fences and signs
• textile fibre and clothing - polyester fleece clothing and polyester filling for duvets and coats is frequently made from recycled bottles
• street furniture - eg seating, bins, street signs and planters
• bin liners and refuse sacks
• traffic management products and industrial strapping

You can .

Tile and board materials used in the construction industry include:

• ceramic wall and floor tiles
• slate, glass, marble, stone and porcelain wall and floor tiles
• panelboard products - eg medium density fibreboard (MDF) or chipboard

The amount of tiles wasted during installation is around:

• 8 to 10 per cent for wall and floor tiles
• 1 to 5 per cent waste for flooring tiles
• 5 to 10 per cent for rolls of flooring

The main causes of wastage from tiles and board include off-cuts, breakages and over ordering.

Recycling options for tiles and board

The processes used to recycle tiles and board are:

• Fibresolve - subjecting wood fibre to a vacuum and pressurised steam with mechanical agitation at a high temperature
• Microrelease - using microwaves to reclaim wood fibres from the resin
• thermohydrolic processes - separating the adhesive from the wood fibres
• composting

However, there are limitations to recycling tiles and board. These material types are rarely recovered due to the short timescales for planning and carrying out demolition work.

Making changes to your site operations

You can make simple yet effective changes to your site's operations to allow more tiles and board to be recycled by:

• planning slower demolition periods
• providing staff with training in handling
• recovering materials and not sending them to landfill
• improving transport procedures

Potential end uses for recovered tiles and board

Recovered tiles and board can be used in applications and materials including:

• reusing tiles as reclaimed materials
• recycling into aggregate
• producing mineral fibre acoustic ceiling tiles

You can .

Most types of timber can be recycled. Waste wood can come in a variety of forms from medium density fibreboard (MDF) to tree branches.

The main causes of wood waste are:

• pallets
• crates
• beams
• window and doorframes
• doors
• floorboards
• shuttering
• fencing
• panels, such as chipboard

Recycling options for wood

The categories of wood which can be recycled are:

• manufacturing wood wastes
• reclaimable and recyclable wood materials - from demolition and construction, including pallets, the wood is chipped for other uses, excluding architectural salvage
• non-reclaimable and non-recyclable wood wastes - eg old fencing, laminated floor coverings and rotten windows and doors

However, there are some limitations to recycling wood, including:

• limited waste management options and facilities on site
• unknown levels of contamination
• low profitability
• limited marketplace - there are no real markets for reclaimed laminated wooden flooring as it often contains adhesives, plastics, mixed species of timber and surface finishes
• practical difficulties in recycling wood - eg a skip of chipboard is hard to recycle due to the quantity of glue
• local government policies

Making changes to your site operations

You can make simple yet effective changes to your site's operations to allow more wood to be recycled by:

• allowing time for waste management planning
• providing staff with training in waste reduction and health and safety
• selecting a secure storage area to protect materials from accidental and weather damage
• separating wood waste to avoid contamination
• arranging transport for collection of waste

Potential end uses for reclaimed wood

Reclaimed wood can be used in applications and materials including:

• chipboard, oriented strand board and fibreboard manufacture
• bedding products for animals
• play surfaces and pathways
• remanufactured products - eg fibre composites
• architectural components
• landscaping
• commercial products - eg logs, fuel chips
• liquid fuel (ethanol and methanol)
• biofuel for combined heat and power plant

See carpentry - how to cut waste and costs.

You can .

There are many business benefits of using recycled materials in your construction project, including:

• reducing material and waste disposal costs
• increasing your competitive advantage
• reducing your CO2 emissions
• meeting your planning requirements
• complementing other aspects of eco-design
• responding to and pre-empting changes in public policy, such as increases in Landfill Tax
• responding to client requirements

You could incorporate the following types of recycled materials into your construction projects:

• glass - see recycling glass from construction projects
• plasterboard - see recycling plasterboard and gypsum from construction projects
• plastics - see recycling plastic from construction projects
• wood - see recycling wood from construction projects
• aggregates - see recovering and using recycled aggregates
• paper - see using recycled paper
• compost and other organics - see using recycled organics
• rubber - see using recycled tyres
• cement replacement - eg pulverised fuel ash and ground granulated blast furnace slag

You could also consider using reclaimed products and reusing materials in your construction projects.

You can propose to use more recycled materials:

• at the design stage - see designer's guide to cutting waste from construction projects
• when using contractors - see contractor's guide to cutting waste from construction projects

Steps to consider when you incorporate recycled materials into your construction project include:

• requirements - the client sets the requirements for how much recycled content they would like to be used in the project
• generic options for improvement - the design team estimates the amount of recycled content likely to be used
• specific options for the project - refinement of recycled content figures and review of quick wins (recycled materials)
• selection - choosing quick wins which will be used in the project
• delivery - the delivery of quick wins to be used in the project
• reporting - providing the evidence that the recycled content requirement set by the client has been met