Construction and Deconstruction Zero Waste Requirements

Your diversion rate is all the diverted waste divided by the total waste of the project. Here is a formula you may use to calculate your diversion.

Not all projects can achieve a 75% diversion rate due to certain conditions and materials recyclability. If your project can not achieve a 75% diversion rate, you must contact CDWastePermits@bouldercolorado.gov with documentation substantiating your request. Together we will determine if an exemption will be granted, and the city will authorize an “Achievable Diversion Rate.” This agreed-upon “Achievable Diversion Rate” will become the required amount for that specific project to be eligible for a full refund.

Each of the Material Types listed in the table on Page 2 of the Sustainable Deconstruction Plan is one distinct material type. For example, ‘Aggregates’ is one ‘material type’ and it includes different materials within this category, such as asphalt, concrete, masonry, etc. The City of Boulder will accept Aggregates as one material type/category; however, asphalt, concrete, masonry, etc. on their own do not count as separate material types. At least three different material types from the building structure itself must be diverted from the landfill. If you have questions or need clarification, contact CDWastePermits@bouldercolorado.gov.

Any ACM, non-friable, non-regulated and/or trace asbestos, remaining in the building following abatement must be discussed with the City prior to starting any deconstruction activities. The City reserves the right to require abatement such that deconstruction of the building can occur in order to maximize the reuse and recycling of other building materials. If a contractor combines any ACM, non- friable, non-regulated and/or trace asbestos with other non-ACM building materials and the building materials are subsequently manifested, this material shall be counted as landfill and count towards the project’s total weight.

Any nonfriable asbestos waste remaining in the building must be discussed with the City prior to starting any deconstruction activities. The City reserves the right to require abatement such that deconstruction of the building can occur in order to maximize the reuse and recycling of other building materials.

Any trace asbestos remaining in the building after abatement must be discussed with the City prior to starting any deconstruction activities. The City reserves the right to require abatement of trace asbestos such that deconstruction of the building can occur to maximize the reuse and recycling of other building materials.

In any of these cases, you must contact CDWastePermits@bouldercolorado.gov for review and consideration before proceeding with your deconstruction and management of materials.

Unforeseen environmental factors can pose difficulties. If you encounter any of these issues at any point in your project, you must contact CDWastePermits@bouldercolorado.gov for review and consideration. The City may approve an updated “Achievable Diversion Rate” and amend the Sustainable Deconstruction Plan, project dependent. If you do not contact Climate Initiatives, then you will be held to the original diversion percentage required and no special waste exemption will be granted.

Aggregates shall not be mixed with or contaminated by any other wastes or debris. If the material came from a structure, ensure that a state demolition permit was issued and that all suspect asbestos containing materials (including all non-friable materials) were tested and do not contain asbestos. If there is rebar in your concrete and concerns you about the recyclability, you must contact both an aggregate recycler and the City at CDWastePermits@bouldercolorado.gov to make a plan prior to deciding where to take this material. Aggregates taken to an aggregate recycler or other location approved by the City of Boulder will count towards recycling diversion.

If a contractor wants to take these aggregate materials to a private property or a non-registered facility, the contractor must obtain prior approval from the City of Boulder prior to processing the materials in this manner; otherwise, the materials may be counted as landfill. With the City’s approval, aggregate processed in this manner will be counted towards recycling under the “Aggregate” category; not as Salvage Materials for Donation/Reuse.

You need to submit a completed C&D Waste Diversion Tracking form, all weight tickets from the project and any other documentation showing proof of donation, reuse or recycling.

The City of Boulder does not accept landscape materials as ADC at a landfill as it does not constitute diversion. Additionally, organics processing/composting options for organic landscape materials are readily available in the area. If a contractor would like a material to be used as ADC and count towards the project’s total diversion rate, the contractors must contact CDWastePermits@bouldercolorado.gov and obtain approval prior to managing materials as ADC. Without prior City approval, ADC will count as landfill when calculating the total project weight.

• If materials do not have weight tickets, you must provide:
  • Pictures of each load of the actual materials loaded in the truck
  • State the approximate amount or volume, e.g., cubic yard, etc.
  • Use this volumetric weight conversion as a substitute for the weight ticket

Electronics must be processed for recycled at a certified electronics recycler to be accepted for diversion. Proof of electronics recycling is required, e.g., a receipt from the recycler for these materials to be counted towards diversion. Any electronics for reuse must be discussed, documented, and approved by the City (CDWastePermits@bouldercolorado.gov) for reuse prior to removal/transfer to a new location. Reuse in the new building at the same location is allowed with documentation of installation.

If a contractor will take any material to a private property, the contractor must obtain approval from CDWastePermits@bouldercolorado.gov prior to taking items to the location. The City of Boulder shall require the contractor to share the address and allow the City to verify the materials for reuse, repurposing, recycling, or other proper management. If the City is unable to verify, then this material shall be counted as landfill.

Materials that are left in place during a deconstruction or Level 4 Alteration, that are outside the scope of the project, do not count towards diversion. Here are a few examples:

• If there are landscape materials such as trees that will not be removed as part of the demolition, the weight of those trees cannot be counted towards your diversion rate.
• If the foundation or driveway/parking lot is going to remain in place and not be removed, it is considered outside the scope of the project and cannot be counted towards your diversion rate.

Only materials removed as part of the scope of the project and then processed either for reuse or recycling/organics management are accepted for diversion. The contractor shall not count materials that remain in their original place towards their diversion rate calculation. If you have questions or need clarification, contact CDWastePermits@bouldercolorado.gov.