[P2assist] drywall recycling

[kdennings@co.wake.nc.us]

                       DRYWALL SCRAPS BECOME COMPOST

Area contractors, builders and residents can recycle drywall / sheetrock at
the Wake County North Wake Solid Waste Management Facility for a fee of $28
per ton.

The drywall recycling program is part of the Multi-Material Drop-Off
Facility operation at the landfill. To be accepted, the drywall must be
clean, dry, unpainted and free of any trash, dirt, wood and other
construction debris.

"Recycling markets fluctuate frequently," said Kelley Dennings, Wake County
Commercial Waste Reduction Specialist. "It is important to buy products
with recycled content to help stabilize the recycling markets."

The drywall or gypsum will be added to yard, food and wood waste to be
recycled into compost.  The finished product can be used in landscaping and
agriculture applications such as mushroom growing, forestry, nurseries,
city parks and recreation areas, residential lawns, and golf courses.

Composting is a simple process that uses natural organic materials.
Recently companies have opened facilities to speed up the composting
process and create soil amendments that may help businesses and residents
save money on disposal costs and water bills.

"Recycling is just one avenue for drywall. Builders should work to find
ways of reducing waste in the first place so that less material will need
to be thrown away," said Dennings.

Drywall waste can be reduced by constructing standard sized walls and flat
ceilings, ordering custom-sized sheets for non-standard walls, and by
finding substitutes that are reusable, such as modular demountable
partitions for commercial buildings.

For more information on recycling and waste reduction of construction and
demolition material, visit the Wake County Solid Waste Web Page at
http://www.co.wake.nc.us/solidwaste or 856-6186.

Builders and contractors can also bring clean, source separated, pallets to
the North Wake Multi-Material Drop-Off Facility to recycle for a fee of $25
per ton or $2 per pallet.


Kelley Dennings
Wake County Solid Waste Management Division
Commercial Waste Reduction Specialist
919-856-5277
http://www.co.wake.nc.us/solidwaste