This document summarizes the first-year activities of an EPA/NAHB Research Center effort to explore alternative construction waste management strategies for new residential construction. The primary objective of these activities was to identify barriers and opportunities related to voluntary, cost-effective residential construction waste management. To achieve this objective the NAHB Research Center developed a background paper summarizing the regulatory and policy environment governing construction waste at the federal and local levels; conducted detailed characterizations of the waste materials generated during typical residential construction in three regions of the United States; held workshops for exploring and formulating waste reduction, reuse, and recycling methods in the same three regions; and developed strategies for manufacturers to consider in the development of recycled-contenthesource-efficient building mate rials.

CONCLUSIONS

The construction waste assessments conducted by the Research Center were consistent with quantities and characterization from earlier studies. The construction of a typical 2,000 square foot home generates approximately 4 tons of waste. Wood, drywall, and cardboard consistently account for 60 to 80 percent of this total. Depending on methods of construction and choice of materials, rigid foam insulation, vinyl siding, and brick waste can make significant contributions to the total weig ht or volume of construction waste.

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• building: residential, house, home

1. Accelerating the Adoption of Vacuum Insulation Technology in Home Construction, Renovation, and Remodeling
2. Assessing housing durability: a pilot study
3. Building better homes at lower costs: the industry implementation plan for the residential national construction goals
4. Commercialization of Innovation: Lessons Learned
5. Comparative costs of alternative building systems in new residential construction
6. Durability by design: a guide for residential builders and designers
7. Moisture moisture protection protection of wood of wood sheathing
8. Mold & moisture intrusion case study report
9. Residential remodeling reports, Moisture Moisture Protection Protection of Wood of Wood Sheathing
10. Review of structural materials and methods for home building in the United States: 1900-2000
11. Technology Roadmap: Advanced Panelized Construction - 2003 Progress Report
12. Water intrusion evaluation for caulkless siding, window, and door systems-laboratory testing results
13. Wood used in new residential construction 1998 and 1995