King County, Washington, C&D debris redirected to recyclers

Beginning Nov. 1, construction and demolition debris will no longer be accepted at solid waste facilities in King County, Washington. Instead, the material will be redirected to C&D handling facilities and recycled, repurposed or disposed.

A King County ordinance requiring increased recycling rates of C&D materials was passed in 2015. The ordinance is in line with the goals of King County’s Strategic Climate Action Plan (SCAP) by reducing greenhouse gas emissions through recycling and reusing construction materials, rather than manufacturing new materials.

The regulation became fully in effect as of Jan. 1, 2016. However, prior to Nov. 1, the King County Solid Waste Division issued warnings to violators. However, starting Nov. 1, the Division will begin issuing citations and fines. The initial fine could be a maximum of $100, which becomes $500 upon the second infraction. Subsequent infractions will result in a doubling of the previous fine.

The division adds that in some cases violators may be subject to prosecution as a misdemeanor. The county has contracted with the King County Sheriff’s office to provide a full-time detective whose job is to enforce the regulation. King County Solid Waste Division staff will also be assisting.

Material that will no longer be accepted by the country include C&D waste in dump trucks or other mechanized dump vehicles, and also in mechanized dump trailers.

“More than 250,000 tons of construction and demolition debris generated in King County go to landfills as waste every year – and a significant portion of that can be recycled or reused,” says Christie True, director of the King County Department of Natural Resources and Parks. “Diverting recyclable and reusable materials from landfills is in line with our region’s strong stewardship ethic.”

Small quantities of C&D waste brought in vehicles or trailers without mechanized dump beds, and C&D materials mixed with larger loads of garbage that don’t exceed roughly 10 percent of the total load will still be accepted at King County-operated transfer stations.

C&D materials generated during the construction and demolition of buildings, roads and other structures that can be recycled includes clean wood, cardboard, metal, new gypsum scrap, asphalt paving, bricks and concrete. C&D waste includes materials such as roofing, painted wood, insulation and cement siding.

King County will continue to direct customers with C&D recyclable materials and C&D waste to privately owned C&D handling facilities that are routinely monitored to ensure compliance with environmental standards.