Plan before demolition
Survey what will be removed. Identify items with resale or reuse value, such as doors, fixtures, ceiling grid and lighting. Salvage them before demolition begins.
Check for hazardous materials first, since these need special handling.
Ask the landlord whether items such as ceiling grid and light fixtures can be reused elsewhere in the building.
Sort on site
Separate bins for metal, wood, drywall, cardboard and mixed waste make recycling practical. Contamination ruins loads, so label bins and tell crews what goes where.
Space on site may be limited, so plan bin locations and pickup frequency.
A short orientation for all crews at the start prevents most sorting mistakes.
What can be recycled
Metals, clean wood, cardboard, concrete and some drywall and ceiling tile can go to processors in many areas. Availability varies, so ask local services what they accept.
Old lamps and electronics need separate disposal.
Cardboard and metal are usually the easiest streams to start with, and they often account for a large share of the volume.
Reduce waste at the source
Order accurately, and cut materials to minimize offcuts. Our own interior systems and carpentry crews know how to use leftover pieces on later work.
Prefabricating in a shop produces less jobsite waste and is often tidier.
Ask recyclers about contamination limits before the job begins, so you know what they will refuse and can plan separate disposal.
Measure and report
Ask your contractor to keep records of what was diverted. This helps if you need to report for green building programs or lease requirements. Be honest about what is achievable on a small project.
Better planning also reduces disposal fees, which can offset some of the effort.
Questions we hear
Can small projects divert waste?
Yes, with simple sorting of metal, cardboard and clean wood, as local services allow.