The Big Picture

PCR Prerequisite: Minimum Diversion Rate 

(Required, Non-Reciprocal)

Credit Summary

This credit aims to broaden the horizons of what materials can be collected and later reintroduced into the market as a recycled material. It serves as a baseline for the diversion rate. 

Impact Summary

This has the potential to expand the recycled materials market as well encourage people to enhance their diversion rate. 

Submittal Summary

In order to receive this credit, documentation must be provided proving that the minimum diversion rate has been met. 

Case Study and Benefits

As seen below, The Foothills mall saw strong benefits, financially and environmentally, when implementing a diversion rate standard into their CWMP. It allowed them to assist in staying on track with the goals that their municipality projected as well as same themselves and the local landfill a great deal of money. 

Intent and Requirements

Intent

To encourage the acceptance of a wide range of materials and to promote the production of marketable commodities with the highest percentage of captured product and lowest percentage of residue.

Local Government Requirement

Demonstrate that at least 30% of the MSW, including C&D, generated in the jurisdiction is diverted from disposal.

Industry Requirements

Demonstrate that at least 30% of the MSW, including C&D, that is controlled by the Company is diverted from disposal.

Potential Strategies:

• Develop and promote community-wide material recovery programs for residential & commercial MSW and C&D
• Measure, document and report recovery volumes
• Engage and educate residential and commercial waste generators around material reduction, reuse and recycling

Why We Care

Diverting materials within the waste stream from ending up in landfills saves resources, energy, and money. Waste materials that are managed and sorted properly retain their value and can be reused and made into new products. Diverting materials such as metals, organic waste, e-waste, and hazardous waste from landfills reduces the production and occurrence of toxic leachate, which has the potential to pollute soil and municipal water systems. Diverting organic waste reduces methane production, a potent greenhouse gas.   

How to Meet the Requirements

To meet the requirements, Local Governments will provide a report proving that at least 30% of MSW, including C&D, generated in the jurisdiction is diverted from disposal. This portion of the requirement will be able to be met once the businesses report their own private data, demonstrating that at least 30% of the MSW, including C&D, that is controlled by the Company is diverted from disposal.

Required Documentation

A report proving at least 30% of MSW, including C&D, generated in the jurisdiction is diverted from disposal.

Case Studies & In-Depth Information

CONSTRUCTION WASTE DIVERSION CASE STUDY 

The Foothills Mall and Shopping Center, located in Midtown Fort Collins, recently made some extensive renovations to its property. This created the potential for mass amounts of waste regarding the demolition. The Foothills Mall partnered with local waste diversion companies to recycle, repurpose, or reclaim as much of these materials as possible. As part of the City of Fort Collin’s Zero Waste Strategic Plan, the City outlined goals for waste diversion from landfills through composting, recycling, salvaging, and reuse that would help them to meet their goal of 2.8 pounds of trash per capita by 2025 and zero waste by 2030.

In order to abide by city ordinances as well as stay on track with the projected goal, the construction team formulated a “Construction Waste Management Plan” (CWMP). They aimed to have an average diversion rate of 85% regarding the construction materials. 100% diversion for concrete, rock, asphalt, dirt, bricks, and metals, and a 70% diversion rate for cardboard, wood, and other lumber products. 

Metrics showing benefits:

• $20-80 Million saved in next 12-15 years due to diversion
  • Life of landfill is extended 
    • 16% of waste in Foothills local landfill comes from Construction and Demolition
• If 25% of Construction and Demolition waste was recycled: reduction of 40 million metric tons of carbon dioxide 

Referenced Standards

N/A

Definitions

MSW

EPA definition: Municipal solid waste (MSW) (also called trash) consists of everyday items such as product packaging, yard trimmings, furniture, clothing, bottles and cans, food, newspapers, appliances, electronics and batteries. Sources of MSW include residential waste (including waste from multi-family housing) and waste from commercial and institutional locations, such as businesses, schools and hospitals. The Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) definition of MSW does not include industrial, hazardous or construction and demolition (C&D) waste. 

C&D 

Relevant ReTrac definitions:

Construction, Renovation and Demolition (CR&D) Waste – Construction, renovation and demolition (CR&D) waste, also referred to as demolition, land-clearing and construction waste (DLC), refers to waste generated by construction, renovation and demolition activities. It generally includes materials such as brick, painted wood, drywall, metal, cardboard, doors, windows, wiring, etc. It excludes materials from land clearing on areas not previously developed. It excludes materials from land clearing on areas not previously developed. CR&D waste can come from residential sources such as house renovations or from non-residential sources for example the construction or demolition of office buildings.

EPA Definition– debris generated during the construction, renovation and demolition of buildings, roads, and bridges. Construction and demolition (C&D) materials are generated when new building and civil-engineering structures are built and when existing buildings and civil-engineering structures are renovated or demolished (including deconstruction activities). C&D materials often contain bulky, heavy materials such as: Concrete, Wood (from buildings), Asphalt (from roads and roofing shingles), Gypsum (the main component of drywall), Metals, Bricks, Glass, Plastics, Salvaged building components (doors, windows, and plumbing fixtures), Trees, stumps, earth, and rock from clearing sites

CORR Definition of C&D materials – Building materials from the construction, renovation or demolition of building structures (excluding land clearing, grubbing, and excavation materials).