Waste Management
Construction waste management (CWM) is the recycling or reuse of excess building materials—everything from drywall offcuts from new construction to an entire building’s worth of bricks from deconstruction.
When materials are purchased for a job and then go unused or wasted, avoidable costs and environmental burdens result. Attention to CWM, especially when starting early in design, can reduce tipping fees and earn LEED credits.
Waste Management
Deep Dives
Get up to speed on complex topics. You can also earn CEUs and download PDF Spotlight Reports.
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Prefabricating Green: Building Environmentally Friendly Houses Off Site
Feature Article
Prefabricated housing offers several potential environmental benefits, including reduced transportation impacts, reduced waste, and quality control for better durability and performance. Aside from a few industry leaders, however, most manufacturers do not take full advantage of those efficiencies to create affordable high-performance houses.
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Treated Wood in Transition: Less Toxic Options in Preserved and Protected Wood
Feature Article
Following the recent phaseout of CCA, the dominant wood preservative of the last 30 years, the treated wood industry is in major transition. Some current wood treatment technologies present familiar environmental problems, while less-toxic alternatives are just entering the market.
Quick Takes
Jump straight to the essentials with these short explanations of green building concepts.
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In The News
We break news down to the essentials and provide expert analysis.
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Zero Waste? Is It TRUE?
News Brief
The TRUE rating system helps businesses and facilities eliminate waste through education and performance tracking.
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World Trade Center Construction Uses Onsite Composting
News Analysis
The One World Trade Center construction project in New York has been using food and waste composting systems during the first phase of construction, to be completed in 2013.
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First CHPS-Approved Modular Classroom
News Brief
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First Statewide Paint Recycling Program Launched in Oregon
News Brief
Learning Resources
Syllabus supplements and CEU content, with automatic reporting for AIA and GBCI.
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The Missing Embodied Carbon Link: Construction
Spotlight Report
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Breaking Barriers to Building Material Reuse
Webcast
Buildings aren’t garbage. These three circularity loop-closers are making it easier and easier to reuse materials.
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The Contractor’s Commitment: Lessons from the First Year
Webcast
The new “Contractor’s Commitment to Sustainable Building Practices" calls on firms to practice green building on the jobsite and beyond.
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Waste Not, Want Not: Case Studies of Building Material Reuse
Spotlight Report
Just For Fun
Something weird happens every April at BuildingGreen...
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