Do I need to separate construction waste for recycling in Ottawa?

Separating construction waste is good practice in Ottawa, and it can make disposal easier and cheaper — but what has to be separated depends on where the waste is going. Before you start, ask the City, your bin company or the facility you plan to use what they require and how they want loads sorted.

Why and How to Separate Construction Waste in Ottawa

Mixed construction debris is the hardest kind to recycle, while clean, separated loads of a single material are often easier to divert from landfill. Clean concrete, brick and stone can often be crushed and reused as aggregate. Clean scrap metal — copper pipe, steel studs, aluminum flashing, old ductwork and hardware — can usually go to a scrap yard, and depending on the metal you may even be paid for it.

Clean wood that is unpainted and untreated is easier to recycle than painted or treated wood. Drywall is worth keeping separate because gypsum can be recycled, but it contaminates other loads when it is mixed in. Ask facilities in the area whether they take clean drywall and what condition it needs to be in.

From a practical standpoint, separation during cleanup needs designated containers or areas for each material. A simple starting point is four piles: wood, metal, concrete and masonry, and mixed general waste, with a fifth for drywall if you have a lot of it. Label the areas clearly so helpers don't mix materials — a load of clean concrete with drywall mixed in may no longer be accepted as clean.

Hazardous materials should always be kept separate, whatever the size of the project. Paint, solvents, chemical containers and solvent-soaked rags need their own disposal route; check the City's household hazardous waste options for residential quantities. The City's Trail Road landfill does not accept hazardous waste or liquid waste. Suspected asbestos never goes in a regular bin — it is a job for an abatement contractor, and the material should be tested before cleanup.

Many post-construction cleaning companies handle sorting as part of the job, which is one advantage of hiring the cleanup out. Ask whether they separate materials, where the waste goes, and whether disposal is included in the price. Quotes for a post-construction clean with debris removal in Ottawa can run roughly $800 to $3,000 depending on the scope, so ask for itemized written quotes. You can find cleaning companies through the Ottawa Construction Network directory at justynrookcontracting.com.

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Looking for experienced contractors? The Ottawa Construction Network connects homeowners with qualified professionals:

• 613Bins
• JC Carpentry
• LMignacca Cleaning Services
• The Deck Store Inc
• J and C Building Cleaning