Connecticut Department of Energy & Environmental Protection

Local Management of Construction & Demolition Waste

City Hall Sign
Local ordinances create incentives and encourage recycling of construction and demolition (C&D) waste, which can improve a community’s overall recycling rate.  C&D recycling ordinances include ‘green’ , ‘sustainable’ and ‘LEED’ building techniques and may apply to construction, renovation and/or demolition projects.  Several states have passed laws requiring ordinances and other cities are passing ordinances taking the lead in their state.
Most C&D reuse and recycling ordinances or policies that are implemented include the following:
  • Recycling of C&D debris
  • Reusing building materials on the project site
  • Deconstruction to maximize reuse
  • Specifying types and quantities of materials recovered for reuse and recycling
  • Reporting requirement
  • Compliance tools including fees and penalties for non-compliance

Sample Ordinances and Regulation of C&D Waste

Ordinance for Managing Construction and Demolition Waste Created by Deconstruction of a Building (Iowa DNR) - A model template.

Construction and Demolition (C&D) Diversion Informational Guide  (CalRcycle) Information about California's C & D Diversion Program, including their model ordinance, case studies, and reference documents.

C&D Site Waste Recycling (City of Chicago, IL)  Ordinance/Regulation

Green Building Ordinance (City of Newark, CA)

Recycling and Reuse of Construction and Demolition Debris Ordinance (City of Madison, WI) 

Local C&D Recycling Regulations (Central Contra Costa Solid Waste Authority, CA)

Examples of Programs Implemented as a Result of Passing
C & D Recycling Ordinances

Lee County Government (Florida)

City of Stockton (California)

Foster City (California)

Village of Northbrook (Illinois)

Orange County  (North Carolina)

City of Madison (Wisconsin)

City of Chicago (Illinois)

Technical Resources

Overview of Draft Ordinances to Assist Local Governments  (Slide presentation by Attorney Ivan T. Webber)

C&D Debris Recycling  (Iowa, DNR)  Includes case studies and workshop presentations

Deconstruction Case Studies, Technical References, and Directories  (King County, WA)

C&D Recycling Tools (King County, WA) 

Refuse Permit Ordinance  (City of Chicago) - Began April 1, 2009

Other Resources

On the Road to Reuse: Residential Demolition Bid Specification Development Tool  September 2013, (EPA)

Construction and Demolition Waste Management Plans  (CT DEEP)

Sustainable Design and Green Building Toolkit for Local Governments  (EPA)

Boulder Green Building and Green Points Program  (Boulder, CO)

C&D Recycling and Materials Management as it Relates to LEED  (Chicago, ILL)

LEED Resources  (Green Building Council)

Reduce/Reuse/Recycle  | C&D Management

Disclaimer: The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) maintains the content on this web site to enhance public access to information and facilitate understanding of waste reduction, reuse and recycling. The DEEP is not recommending these resources over any others and recognizes these represent only a partial listing of resources on this subject.

Content Last Updated  May 19, 2020