Construction and Demolition

construction

Small remodeling projects, as well as new building construction on campus, generate a whole new waste stream of concrete, fixtures, flooring, drywall and many other wastes. Examples of recycling include grinding up drywall for gypsum to spread on farm fields and bricks as an aggregate for new concrete. New markets for construction and demolition debris surface every day, and the more these markets grow, the easier it is to keep materials out of landfills. For example, over 95% of construction waste was diverted from landfill during construction of the Zilber School of Public Health.

Current Recycled Materials

Metal: Ongoing for construction debris, facilities repair, and unusable metal fixtures & furniture

Concrete & Brick: Special cases only. The Student Union recycled the brick of the computer lab renovation in the Summer of 08’.

Carpet: Reclamation of carpet based on department’s demand. University Housing recycled 16,638 pounds of carpet in the Summer of 08’ and smaller carpet reclamation projects have also been done across campus

Pallets: All pallets at the University Services and Research Building, which handles the campus inventory, are recycled

Ceiling Tile: Special cases only. Through a vendor, properly palletized ceiling tile is recycled on campus. Old ceiling tile can be used to make new ceiling tile.

Yard Waste: The Grounds Department regularly recycles yard waste on the campus grounds. This was one of the original products that UWM recycled, since approximately 1984.