News

June 15, 2007

AGC Working with DEP on Recycling Issues and Possible New Materials Bans

AGC has been actively working with the state Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) as a member of the C&D Source Separation Task Force in response to the state’s efforts to reach an 88% reduction in C&D materials reaching state landfills by 2010. In exchange for not requiring project jobsite source separation of C&D materials, AGC is working aggressively with DEP to promote voluntary recycling, re-use and reduction of C&D materials from jobsites.

Three such initiatives supported by AGC are the creation of markets for recycled material, offering of financial incentives that will make it more economically feasible to source separate than to haul co-mingled debris to a landfill or transfer station, and the creation of new recycling facilities such as the US Gypsum Cambridge facility and the new Devens facility.

What is the next material up for a ban from state landfills? Clean gypsum wallboard. They believe that gypsum at landfills, when wet, is a serious health issue. According to DEP, they have the authority now to issue a ban on gypsum but are prudently waiting for more recycling facilities and new after-markets to develop. AGC is participating in these discussions at DEP.