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Managing Waste:
Household Remodeling Jobs and Debris

by Shirley Niemeyer, Extension Specialist, Environment of the Home/Housing
Wayne Woldt, Extension Specialist, Waste Management
Bobby Grisso, Extension Specialist, Biological Systems Engineering
Mohamed Dahab, Extension Specialist, Biological Systems Engineering

Home remodeling expenditures reached a record $108.3 billion nationwide in 1993 (U.S. Census Bureau). Spending on home remodeling in 1994 was up 5 percent from 1993 and has doubled over the last decade (National Association of Home Builders). About 70 percent of the remodeling is done in the first nine years a person/s occupies the home (Seek, 1983). About one third to one half of the jobs are performed totally by do-it-yourselfers (Qualified Remodeler, 1984) and about two thirds of major home improvement projects include at least some do-it-yourself activity. Analysts predict that by the year 2000 the do-it-yourself market for remodeling and repair will be as large or larger than the home building segment.

Figure 1. The largest component of waste building materials, gypsum, accounted for nearly one ton of waste for each of the houses studied (Joe Laquatra, Cornell Waste Management Institute, March 1996).

A construction and demolition debris study (Joe Laquatra, Cornell University) revealed that the construction of a single family home produces two to four tons of debris. Disposing of construction debris has become more costly. Wasting of resources also needs to be considered in both new construction and remodeling. The primary materials and packaging debris or waste from construction of a new single 1,800 square foot home were 1,788 pounds of gypsum, 1,403 pounds of wood, and 273 pounds of cardboard. Wasting these resources in new and remodeling construction impacts the remaining natural resources available, and some of these materials can be recycled or reused. However, the toxic nature of some construction debris, such as adhesives and solvents, has led to some bans on construction waste at landfills.

As homeowners tackle their own projects, there are important waste management issues to be considered, including dealing with the resources used and waste resulting from the remodeling, and making sound environmental decisions about the types of projects, materials, and processes involved. The purpose of this NebFact is to encourage conservation of material resources and recycling of used materials. Increasingly, to comply with regulations, disposal of construction and demolition wastes with municipal solid waste is discouraged. The goal is toward recycling and reusing.

Examples of Potentially Hazardous Products Found in Homes

Typical Construction Materials That May Be Reused or Resold

The following are brief summaries of potentially hazardous products that may be found when remodeling a home. Construction-grade lumber, ornamental wood trim, clay tiles and bricks, metals such as copper and aluminum electrical hardware and wire, and some plumbing hardware are typical materials reused or resold. Some of these non-contaminated materials may be used in the remodeling project itself--inside or outside.

Aluminum--Waste or Resource?

Aluminum scrap is usually accepted at fabricator's shops or as raw material for other industries. New aluminum shapes can be made from mixtures containing as much as 40 percent aluminum scrap. Contaminants include surface finishes and corrosion products.

Asbestos Waste

Household remodeling may result in demolition debris. Some older structures may contain materials with some quantity of asbestos, which is specifically regulated by federal and state agencies. Asbestos products should only be removed by trained individuals. Asbestos may be found in siding, flooring, insulation around pipes, and electric and heat insulation. In remodeling projects, asbestos-containing materials can become hazardous or dangerous when damaged, causing fibers to be released into the air and inhaled. It's usually best to leave asbestos material alone if it is in good condition. Asbestos can also be enclosed, encapsulated, or sealed in.

Brick--Waste or Resource?

Uncontaminated brick can be reused for patios, sidewalks, fences, and decorative facades.

Concrete--Waste or Resource?

Clean non-contaminated concrete waste is used in some communities for stabilization of land, or reprocessed for use in roads, foundation stone, and other projects. Check with your local licensed landfill operator, earthmovers, or road construction personnel.

Creosote--Waste or Resource?

Creosote is toxic (inhaled as fumes) and is a skin and eye irritant. Do not reuse items treated with creosote for the home or for home heating. See wood waste.

Electrical Wiring Materials--Waste or Resource?

Contact your area metal scrap recycling business to determine if they take old aluminum or copper wiring and other wiring fixtures, conduit, etc.

Fiberglass--Waste or Resource?

Fiberglass may be found in and around pipes for insulation, used as heat ducts, and in walls, floors, ceilings, and joists for insulation. Workers should wear protective clothing, gloves, and masks. Clothing exposed to fiberglass should be washed separately, line dried, and then the washer drum cleaned of fiber residue.

Fiberglass comes in both rigid board and rolls with or without a vapor barrier. Reuse is possible if the product is clean and not contaminated. Other types of insulation such as rigid foam and rock wool may be reused. Cellulose, if it has become wet, may lose some of its insulating effectiveness. Examine the insulation for cleanliness if it is reused.

Lead--Waste or Resource?

Prevent contamination in projects involving lead-based paints. A home built before 1980 may have lead paint present. Before you start a remodeling project either assume it is present or have the surfaces tested for lead paint. Labs that test for water, soil, and other products in your area may test lead samples. Contact your extension service for a listing of laboratories in Nebraska.

Paints may differ from room to room. Before you disturb a surface with old paint on it, you should contact your state health department regarding testing your home. If lead-based paint is found in your home, have the repair or renovation done by a worker who has been trained to protect your family and home from exposure to lead dust and chips. In areas where you know or suspect there is lead-based paint, you should avoid the following activities which can produce paint dust and chips:

• scraping, sanding, or using a heat gun on painted surfaces before repainting;

• making holes in walls or tearing out walls;

• unnecessarily opening and closing windows with painted frames and sill; or

• allowing children to play in or around the area where lead may have been scraped into the soil or where lead is flaking.

If you do have lead-based paints present, make arrangements for disposal before the project is worked on. Your area landfill may not take do-it-yourself remodeling debris. Find out where the professionals are taking the lead-contaminated waste. Generally, items such as lead-contaminated soil must be disposed of as a hazardous waste. Consider encapsulation of the lead-contaminated wall or area. Contact the National Lead Information Center at 800-424-lead .

Doing repairs involving lead-based paints or items is not recommended. Hire professionals and make sure proper and safe procedures are followed such as:

• Children and pregnant women should be moved to another apartment or house until work is completed and the area properly cleaned and ventilated.

• Cover exposed areas. If the area being worked on is large, such as when a wall is being torn down, plastic should be used to cover and seal off entrances and ducts and to protect furniture, carpets, rugs, and floors from paint dust and chips. Dispose of plastic coverings carefully and properly.

• Dust is kept down by wetting painted surfaces before they are worked on.

• Areas are cleaned up thoroughly. Dust and chips are picked up with wet mops or rags soaked in water. Wear protective gloves. Two buckets are used--one for wash water and one for collection water. Dirty water is wrung into the collection water bucket--not into the clean washwater bucket. Some people recommend using trisodium phosphate or a phosphate-containing powdered dishwasher detergent with the warm water.

• Mops and rags are thoroughly washed after each use to prevent recontamination. If the rags and mops have been used several times, they are placed in plastic bags and disposed of carefully.

• Avoid sweeping or vacuuming in the work area. Sweeping spreads lead dust around, and vacuuming (unless special HEPA or micro filters are used) can also spread the dust as it can pass through and blow out of ordinary vacuum cleaners.

• If repairs or renovations of areas you suspect contained lead-based paint have already occurred, have your children, especially those under six years old, tested for lead.

• Any contaminated soil around the household should be removed, such as the top 2 to 5 inches of lead-contaminated soil, and disposed of as hazardous waste. The Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality (402-471-2186) or local landfill operator may have information on disposal.

Metal--Waste or Resource?

Area metal scrap recycling businesses may take iron, aluminum, copper, brass, steel, and other types of metals. Their concern may be with appliances or equipment that contain PCB's (polychlorinated biphenyl), ballasts, and chloroflourocarbons (CFC), refrigerants, and other potentially hazardous materials found in some items. These items may include refrigerators, freezers, washers, stoves, etc. Appliances and equipment that can be easily repaired or are in working condition may be sold or taken to a used equipment or goodwill type facility for reuse.

Pipes--Waste or Resource?

Use only lead-free plumbing products for new or renovation work. Contact your area metal recycling businesses to determine if they take lead pipe for recycling.

Textiles--Waste or Resource?

Textiles, such as rugs, carpets, and draperies, may be changed in remodeling. Find a second home for them, sell or give them away, or take them to a used furnishings store or goodwill type store. Sometimes textiles not used at these stores are reprocessed into new items for use. Old draperies can be used as paint drop cloths or rags.

Wood--Waste or Resource?

Wood waste may sometimes include lead-based paint, preservatives such as pentachlorophenol or creosote, or any of several water-borne preservatives and fire retardants. Creosote is a skin and eye irritant and can be toxic if fumes are inhaled. Care in handling and sawing is needed. It should not be reused for home interior projects. Pentachlorophenol, once used as a wood preservative, is toxic by ingestion, inhalation, and skin absorption. Its use as a wood preservative has been reduced to mainly marine boat projects.

For wood waste contaminated with lead-based paint, see projects involving lead-based paint. ACCA is used in most of the treated woods used in yards and houses. It is often used for decks, picnic tables, and play structures. It is a waterborne arsenical preservative, but there is no evidence that it poses serious environmental risk. Do not use it for counter tops or chopping blocks.

Do not use any treated wood such as railroad ties, telephone poles, and pilings as a fuel to burn in a fireplace or stove. If you reuse wood and are suspicious that it is treated, cover, seal, finish, enclose, or encapsulate it. Wood waste also may be accepted for reuse by some recycling facilities or scrap lumber businesses and pallet companies. Wood contaminants generally include nails, water or insect damage or rot, wallboard, plaster, lath, electrical components, floor or wall coverings, and plumbing pieces. Manual separation is usually done and then the wood is reused or shredded. Uncontaminated wood waste can be used for new construction, remodeling, mulch, animal bedding, and particle board.

Note to Readers:

Check with professionals who work with the materials you plan to remove, and with licensed landfill operators. If you are in doubt about the risk and safety of any do-it-yourself project, ask a qualified expert or professional to do the work. Consider the risk and benefits of each task. Newer materials and protective devices may be available that are safer to use or more current. Ask your medical doctor if you have concerns about health risks, or call the state department of health.

References

J. Laquatra, On-site residential construction waste management

(Ithaca: Cornell Cooperative Extension, October 1996).

H. Lund, The McGraw-Hill recycling handbook

(New York: McGraw-Hill, Inc., 1993).

S. Redabaugh, and J. Laquatra, Lead: A home remodeling hazard

(Ithaca: Cornell Cooperative Extension, October 1992).

N.J. Sax and R.J. Lewis, Hawley's Condensed Chemical Dictionary

(New York: Van Nostrand Reinholt, 1978).

N.H. Seek, Adjusting housing consumption: Improve or move

(Urban Studies 20, 1983).

B. Selinger, Chemistry in the Marketplace: A Consumers Guide

(Orlando: Harcourt, Brace and Company, 1994).

G. Tchobanoglous, H. Theisen, and S. Vigil, Integrated solid waste management

(New York: McGraw-Hill Inc.).

Qualified Remodeler, Remodeler Forecast and Operator Practices Report

(Chicago, 1984).

Acknowledgements:

Gloria Simms, Project Assistant, Pollution Prevention, TCD, UNL
Kathleen Parrott, Extension Housing Specialist, Blacksburg, VA
Pat Langan, Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality
Tom Malmstrom, Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality
Paul Harmon, Chairman, Department of Construction Management, UNL
Tom Silletto, Extension Agricultural Systems Technician, UNL

This NebFact is a part of the Handling Special Household Wastes series that covers:

• Paints and Paint Related Products

• Household Solvents

• Household Batteries

• Vehicle Batteries

• Household Cleaning and Maintenance

• Used Oil and Antifreeze

• Household Appliances

• Tires

University of Nebraska Cooperative Extension 

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