Construction Debris || Recycling

Great News! Construction Waste and Recycling Reporting is Getting Easier

The Environmental Compliance Team has implemented a new process for submitting Construction Waste Management Reports for building permits.

Effective July 8, 2024, building permit applications will require a simple form acknowledging that waste and recycling requirements (that have been adopted into the Fort Collins Municipal Code and Fort Collins Building Code Amendments) are fully understood. This form, named the Declaration of Responsibility, is a fillable PDF and easy to understand.

When the project is complete and it is time to close the permit an online Construction Waste Management Report will be submitted. All corresponding receipts or tickets from all landfills and recycling facilities will be uploaded with this online form. If the waste and recycling hauler has maintained this information, their statement showing the required information may be uploaded in lieu of all receipts.

Provided the report is complete with all required documentation uploaded, the Environmental Compliance Team will approve the CWMR associated with the permit. If there are any discrepancies or questions an email will be sent requesting additional information or clarification.

Construction Site Recycling#

Construction and demolition activities generate 30-40% of the materials landfilled each year from Fort Collins. However, many of these materials could be recycled or reused. Recycling and reusing construction and demolition materials saves landfill space and reduces our community’s greenhouse gas emissions. Successful construction and demolition recycling programs are necessary components in helping the community meet its zero waste and climate goals.

Since 2012, the City of Fort Collins Building Code has required construction and demolition projects to recycle specific materials. Watch the video below to learn best practices for managing construction waste.

All new construction, remodels, and additions over 2500 square feet, and all demolitions over 1000 square feet are required by City code to recycle metal, wood, cardboard, and aggregates (asphalt, concrete, masonry).

All remaining materials such as doors, windows, cabinets, and fixtures should be recycled or salvaged.

All materials must be processed to safely remove all asbestos and lead paint contamination.

How to Comply#

You can choose to either hire a full-service hauler to collect all trash and recyclables or you may haul materials yourself to an appropriate recycling location. Information on local hauling companies, salvage and deconstruction businesses and recycling facilities can be found on the Construction & Demolition Debris Resource Sheet.

Keep all landfill and recycling facility tickets and receipts – you will need to include them with the Construction Waste Management Report. Most licensed haulers will track this for you.

AT THE START OF THE PROJECT

Download and submit a Construction Waste & Recycling Declaration of Responsibility at the time of your permit application stating that you will comply with City codes related to construction waste management.

DURING THE PROJECT

Explain recycling requirements to employees and subcontractors working on the jobsite.
Ensure that all materials are recycled as required.
--> links to ordinance and building code

AT THE END OF THE PROJECT

To receive a certificate of occupancy or letter of completion it is required that a final Construction Waste Management Report be submitted online. You will need the following to complete the report:

Amount, location and hauler for each type of waste disposed
- Waste types include recycling of aggregates, metal, wood, cardboard and disposal of all trash
Landfill and recycling disposal facility tickets and receipts

Submit a Construction Waste Management Report

All structures using asphalt shingles must use Class 4 Impact Resistant Shingles meeting UL2218 certification and they must be installed per the manufacturer's recommended installation.

Permits issued after September 29, 2021, are no longer required to submit a Construction Waste Management Plan. The data is now included in the online building permit application.

Hail Damaged Roof FAQs

Best Practices

Explain the recycling requirements to all employees and subcontractors that will be working on your jobsite and show them where the containers for each material are located.
Add compliance with your site's recycling plan into contracts with subcontractors.
Clearly label all containers in both English and Spanish on all sides of the container.
Co-locate trash and recycling containers to provide easy and equal access to all containers.
Work closely with your hauler(s) to understand their requirements of what can and cannot be included with each material.
Avoid mixing trash and recyclables for separation later; instead, use multiple small containers for each material wherever work is being performed, and then empty small containers into large bins when full.
Regularly inspect dumpsters to ensure only the correct materials are in each container. If materials are placed in the incorrect container, ask the responsible employee(s) or sub-contractor(s) to remove the incorrect materials and place them in the correct container.

Forms and Resources#

Download Construction Waste & Recycling Declaration of Responsibility (fillable pdf)
Submit Construction Waste Management Report (online survey)

FAQs#

: Environmental compliance inspectors will visit job sites throughout the duration of a project to ensure the requirements are being met and to discuss any issues found with the site superintendent. The hauler will also confirm compliance with the final Construction Waste Management Report and documentation.
: Failing to follow or submit your Construction Waster Management Report could include penalties of over $3,000 per day of the violation and up to six months in jail. A summons will be issued to the site superintendent if a violation is not corrected after receiving a notice of violation warning.
: Most likely you will not need all five at once. Concrete will be most prevalent during foundation work, wood most prevalent during framing, and cardboard during the interior finishes, etc. If space is not available for multiple containers, or you are not producing enough of each material to justify a container, consider stock piling the material until you do or self-haul it to a local recycling specialist. Find options in the Construction & Demolition Debris Recycling Resources sheet.
: Often recycling facilities will either reject or charge extra for loads that contain too many unacceptable materials. Consider hosting a jobsite or tailgate meeting to discuss the instance with your employees and subcontractors. A site with regularly rejected loads will not be considered to be complying with the requirements and could be subject to a violation. Keep track of any rejected loads to include on your final Construction Waste Management Report.
: Any type of wood that is NOT painted or treated should be recycled.
: Yes! Small diameter nails/screws are accepted in your wood recycling.
: Dirt should be kept to a bare minimum. Use caution at concrete wash out pads to avoid contaminating the container with too much dirt.
: Check with your hauler (or the recycling facility themselves) to verify their requirements.