As of Nov. 1, large quantities of construction and demolition waste will no longer be accepted for disposal at King County solid waste facilities. Instead, these materials should be taken to a facility specifically for these materials and put back into the economy as recycled or repurposed materials. This includes C&D waste in dump trucks or other mechanized dump vehicles, and also in mechanized (hydraulic and hand-cranked) dump trailers.

“More than 250,000 tons of construction and demolition debris generated in King County go to landfills as waste every year, and a significant portion of that can be recycled or reused,” said Christie True, director of the King County Department of Natural Resources and Parks. “Diverting recyclable and reusable materials from landfills is in line with our region’s strong stewardship ethic.”

Small quantities of construction waste, brought in vehicles or trailers without mechanized dump beds, and C&D materials mixed with larger loads of garbage that don’t exceed roughly 10 percent of the total load, will still be accepted at county-operated transfer stations.

Construction and demolition materials that can be recycled includes clean wood, cardboard, metal, new gypsum scrap, asphalt paving, bricks and concrete. Waste materials that can’t be recycled include roofing, painted wood, insulation and cement siding.

King County will continue to direct customers with these items to privately-owned handling facilities that are routinely monitored to ensure compliance with environmental standards. For an updated list of facilities authorized to accept construction and demolition materials for recycling or disposal, visit http://your.kingcounty.gov/solidwaste/greenbuilding/rates.asp or call the Solid Waste Division at (206) 477-4466.