A guide to recycling demolition waste
Construction is facing enormous pressure to find ways to conserve and make best use of our increasingly scarce natural materials.

One way to do this is to reuse, reclaim or recycle materials, the major source of which is from demolitions.

In the past, building regulations were confusing. But providing the materials are suitable for their intended purpose, there is no reason why you can't reclaim or recycle them in line with building regulations.

RICS is leading the way with supporting sustainable construction by giving guidance to promote the policy of reuse, reclamation and recycling of waste materials

Did you know?
In most cases over 85% of demolition materials can be reduced, reused, reclaimed or recycled.

Why recycle?
Over 80% of construction materials come from natural resources like aggregates, timber or clay.

The world's natural resources are gradually running out. At the current rate, future generations won't be able to use some of the natural resources we enjoy today.

It is time to take another look at how we use demolition materials. And how you can make a difference by reducing, reclaiming, reusing and recycling your demolition waste.

Before starting demolition
Before starting any demolition or stripping work carry out a materials survey of the building.

You need to look for any materials that can be:

Reused in the present state
Recycled after processing
Recycled//reused through conservation.
For example:

Timber, bricks, roofing tiles and slates, paving slabs, top soil, etc
Crushed bricks, crushed concrete, metal, glass
Specialist masonry - carved stone, arches, dentil courses, period doors and windows, specialist rainwater gutters and downpipes.
What do I do next?
Contact the Environment Agency or your local authority to find out where to send materials, such as your nearest crushing plant and recycling centre. Or look into how you can do these on site.

Your local council's town planning and conservation department will be able to advise you on how to use conservation materials.

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