WasteSpec

In 1993, Triangle J convened the Construction and Demolition Waste Task Force composed of architects, contractors/subcontractors, builders, construction professionals, inspectors, planners, private salvage & recycling companies, university faculty, public agencies, and private corporations to address reduction of construction and demolition waste, which comprises about 13-20% of all municipal solid waste.

The Task Force concluded that one of the needs for the region was model specification language that could be adopted by architects and engineers seeking to reduce waste during construction projects. The Task Force identified several examples of model specification language developed elsewhere in the nation, but none had all of the desired characteristics. It therefore applied for, and received, a grant from Region IV of the US Environmental Protection Agency to produce WasteSpec, a manual with model specification language tailored to all sixteen provisions of the Construction Specifications Institute (CSI) system of specifications. The manual was completed in June 1995.

WasteSpec was designed with model specifications and background information addressing waste reduction, reuse, and recycling that could be adopted by architects and engineers seeking to reduce waste both before and during construction and demolition projects. The manual may be downloaded in the "Downloads" section to the left and includes the following:

• alternatives for handling construction and demolition waste
• information on how to estimate recyclable waste
• cost implications
• a sample waste management plan
• a checklist of 135 materials and items typically contained in demolished buildings
• a list of resources for further information

This program is currently inactive.