Every three years the California Building Standards Commission adopts new and/or updated model codes. Effective January 1, 2014, CALGreen mandates permitted new residential and non-residential building construction, demolition and certain additions and alteration projects to recycle and/or salvage for reuse a minimum 50% of the nonhazardous construction and demolition (C&D) debris generated during the project (CALGreen sections 4.408, 5.408, 301.1.1 and 301.3). New construction and demolition projects with a combined disposal weight of less than 4 lbs/ft2 in low rise (3 stories or less) new residential structures and 2 lbs/ft2 in non-residential and high rise (4 stories or more) residential buildings meet the 50% minimum diversion requirement.
Additions to non-residential buildings or structures of at least 1,000 square feet or alterations with an estimated construction cost of at least $200,000 shall divert from landfills at least 50% of nonhazardous C&D materials. Additions and alterations to residential buildings that increase the structure's conditioned area, volume or size are also required to meet the 50% minimum diversion requirement.
Enforcing agencies can require contractors to develop and maintain a waste management plan and/or utilize a waste management company that certifies a minimum 50% waste diversion.
More Information
For more information on CALGreen's waste diversion requirements, visit CalRecycle’s Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) page.
