Best Practices

WASTE REDUCTION BEST PRACTICE

Construction Debris Recovery

San Francisco, CA

Purpose

To maximize the recycling of construction and demolition debris.

Outcomes

As of 2012, The Department of Building Inspection has approved 210 Demolition Debris Recovery Plans, which have achieved diversion rates of 65-99%. There are currently 315 registered transporters and 12 registered facilities throughout the region.

In the first year alone, registered facilities diverted an additional 26,000 tons of mixed debris, a 25% increase. Moreover, a local landfill accepted 13,000 fewer tons of material from San Francisco, a 15% decrease.

Background & Summary

The City and County of San Francisco’s Construction and Demolition Debris Recovery Ordinance took effect in 2006. The ordinance applies to all construction projects, including new construction, remodels, tenant improvements, additions, repairs, and full and partial demolitions.

The program requires mixed construction and demolition debris to be transported off-site by a Registered Transporter.

Exemptions:

• Transporters hauling less than 1 cubic yard of material, using vehicles with no more than two axles (and no more than two tires per axle), who are removing materials that are source-separated on site
• Property owners removing waste materials with personal vehicles

Mixed construction and demolition debris must be taken to a Registered Facility that can divert at least 65% of the material.

Exemptions:

• Facilities processing ONLY clean material that is source-separated at the construction site

Before full demolitions, the permit applicant must submit a Demolition Debris Recovery Plan (DDRP) to the Department of the Environment for approval. This precedes the issuance of a Full Demolition Permit by the Department of Building Inspection. Ultimately the DDRP must demonstrate how a minimum of 65% of demolition material will be diverted from landfill.

Additional regulations require municipal construction or remodeling projects to prepare a Solid Waste Management Plan (prior to a project’s commencement), divert a minimum 75% from landfill, issue monthly diversion reports and prepare a final report.

Public Outreach & Education:
The City has begun reaching out to participants by visiting jobsites.

Outreach materials include handouts that are provided with every building permit issued by the Department of Building Inspection. The Department can also make presentations to applicable parties.

Legal Issues:
Enforcement is under authority of the Department of Building Inspection and the Department of the Environment. Penalties for non-compliance include fines up to $1000 a day for the first infringement, up to $5000 for a second infringement, and the possibility of jail for repeated violations.

Fiscal Impacts

The Ordinance does not require fees, bonds, or deposits to fund and ensure compliance.

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Last updated April 9, 2012

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