How-To Guides

Several organizations have developed guidance documents that provide practical advice to building owners and managers, design professionals (architects and engineers), building contractors, and tradespeople for implementing CRD waste reduction programs.  Many of these documents include step-by-step instructions, sample worksheets, useful tips, and guidance on measuring the success of your waste reduction initiatives.  Use these documents to design a program customized to meet your needs.

• A CRD Waste Reduction Primer - Why? What? How?
  (Alberta Environment)
  Provides information on the benefits of reducing CRD waste and how to launch a program.
   
• Demolition and Salvage - A Guide for Developers and Renovators (off-site)
  Search "Recycling and Garbage" Category
  (Greater Vancouver Regional District)
  Lists a step-by-step approach to the successful salvage and recycling of building materials on demolition sites; case study illustrates what materials can be recycled without raising project costs.
    
• Old to New Design Guide (off-site)
  (Greater Vancouver Regional District)
  Provides practical information on incorporating salvage materials in the construction of new buildings or the renovation of existing ones.
   
• Hosting A Waste Reduction Event - A Kit for Local Home Builders' Associations
  (Ontario Home Builders' Association and Habitat Associates)
  Assists home builders' associations with holding an event that focuses on waste reduction.
   
• Job Site Recycling – A Guide for Builders Contractors (off-site)
  Search "Recycling and Garbage" Category
  (Greater Vancouver Regional District)
  Outlines the steps involved in setting up effective construction site recycling programs.
   
• Lower Costs Through Waste Reduction - Practical Ideas for Ontario Homebuilders
  (Ontario Home Builders' Association and Habitat Associates)
  Describes the benefits of being waste-wise and presents a number of strategies that builders have proven effective.
   
• Sustainability in Practice: Reducing Construction Waste in the Ontario Residential Construction Industry
  (Ontario Home Builders' Association and Havitat Associates)
  Identifies the most effective strategies for minimizing residential construction waste in Ontario.  Discusses voluntary ways to cut waste, and how to effectively implement a strategy to assist homebuilders with minimizing waste.
   
• A Guide to Deconstruction (off-site)
  (National Association of Home Builders Research Center)
  Shows the components of deconstruction, its benefits, case studies, and how to make it part of a community revitalization strategy.
   
• Construction Waste and Demolition Debris Recycling: A Primer (off-site)
  (Solid Waste Association of North America)
  Focuses on the planning issues and implementation opportunities associated with the recycling and diversion of construction and demolition waste for both public and private sector interests.  Areas covered include regulatory climate, generation data, material markets opportunities, management systems, recycling system costs, future opportunities for recycling, and case studies of three construction and demolition recycling systems.
   
• 2002-2003 Contractor Guide - Save money and resources through job-site recycling and waste prevention (off-site)
  (King County)
  A comprehensive guide to developing a successful jobsite waste prevention and recycling program .
   
• Deconstruction: Building Disassembly and Material Salvage (off-site)
  (National Association of Home Builders Research Center)
  Explains the benefits of deconstruction, favourable building characteristics, and planning steps for property managers and practitioners.  A case study with a cost comparison to demolition is also included.
   
• Deconstruction Training Manual: Waste Management Reuse and Recycling at Mather Field Air Force Base (off-site)
  (California Integrated Waste Management Board)
  Discusses the advantages, challenges and safety issues associated with deconstruction, and outlines building survey and action plan options.
   
• Don't Trash It!  Reducing Residential Construction Debris - Video
  (North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service)
  Tel: (919) 513-3255 or (919) 513-3045
  Presents construction tips for preventing waste debris, as well as reuse opportunities for recycling scrap.
   
• Home Study Training Package - Construction Waste Demolition Debris (off-site)
  (Solid Waste Association of North America)
  Focuses on the planning issues and implementation opportunities associated with recycling of construction waste and demolition debris for communities and the private sector.  Lessons covered include regulatory climate, generation data, materials, market opportunities, and management systems.
   
• Old Buildings Don't Have to go to Waste - Video
  (North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service)
  Tel: (915) 513-3255 or (919) 513-3045
  Describes how to carefully dismantle old structures and use the materials to build new houses.
   
• Recycling Plus Program Manual - A Best Practices Manual for Construction Jobsite Recycling (off-site)
  (Clean Washington Center)
  Assists construction companies with a structured program for reducing construction waste on job sites by utilizing the "3Rs".