 Contemporary
green building standards emphasize the need to limit the
quantity of material that flows to landfills. Typically,
the standards allow credits for the use of materials that
can readily be recycled and/or safely disposed on site using
acceptable burial or dispersal methods. For example, The
National Green Building Standard, created by the National
Association of Home Builders (NAHB), allows credits to be
awarded when materials “…such as…drywall… are
recycled offsite.” *
Gypsum-based materials can meet municipal or
regional requirements in jurisdictions that allow the recycling
of clean construction waste, including gypsum panels. Recycled
gypsum can be introduced back into the production stream in
limited amounts or used as a soil amendment or soil conditioner.
In some areas, private operators recycle gypsum panels and
provide a steady stream of re-grind material to panel manufacturers
for use in making new product.
Information on organizations that will assist
with recycling gypsum waste may be obtained at a variety of
websites including:
http://www.wbdg.org/tools/cwm.php
On-site recycling programs also can utilize
clean gypsum scrap. Several studies have shown that ground
gypsum, spread at an even rate over or mixed with the top layer
of soil, may be applied at a rate of up to 22 tons per acre
on building lots. Machinery specifically designed to pulverize
the gypsum to an acceptable size for application can facilitate
the process.
Green building standards generally prescribe
the extent to which the material must be recycled on-site to
qualify for a credit. The NAHB standard, for example, requires
at least 50% (by weight) of construction and land clearing
waste to be diverted via on-site disposal to obtain the credit.**
Additional information regarding on-site disposal of gypsum
panels may be obtained at: http://www.gypsum.org/technical-information/technical-topical-papers/#residential
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