Benefits of WasteCap Wisconsin's Services:
Cost Savings
All of the projects WasteCap has worked on have saved substantially in disposal costs. For example, two recently-completed construction waste projects WasteCap managed showed that disposal costs would have been 65% and 74% higher without recycling.
Environmental Savings
By recycling and reusing, projects save environmental as well as financial resources. For example, one construction recycling project WasteCap managed saved 526.6 tons or 6840 yards of construction waste and the equivalent of: 3,257 trees, 42 tons of coal, enough electricity to power a Wisconsin home for eight years, and fertilizer for 50 acres of land.
Regulatory Compliance and Reduced Liability
WasteCap knows the solid waste regulations and regulators, and has obtained first-in-the-state exemptions for its clients for the recycling of Type X drywall, engineered lumber from home construction, and drywall on-site. WasteCap is currently working on several other innovative regulatory efforts to make recycling easier for construction and demolition debris statewide.
Smooth-Running Recycling Program
Dan Cowell, JH Findorff & Son, credits WasteCap as "the reason for the success of [Findorff's] recycling program." We ensure that the recycling program runs smoothly, that contractors and subcontractors understand the program, and that it is efficient for them.
Increased Reuse and Recycling
WasteCap has contacts with markets for unusual reusable and recyclable materials. For example, we have found markets for drywall, Styrofoam, wood, and many other materials.
Cleaner Work Site
WasteCap's clients note that because they are paying attention to separating their debris, the work site stays cleaner and there are fewer safety hazards.
Positive Public Relations
WasteCap's clients have received local, state and national publicity on television, radio, newspapers, in trade publications, and spoken at national conferences about their work recovering materials from the construction and demolition waste stream.
Results
WasteCap has managed the waste from more than $3 billion in construction and demolition projects. These projects saved more than $1.2 million in avoided disposal costs and reused and recycled more than 360 million pounds of materials.
Harley-Davidson Product Development Center Expansion, Milwaukee – Construction Recycling
76% recycling rate by weight
Reduced disposal costs by over 40%
St. Marys Hospital – Demolition Debris Recycling
First approved demolition waste management plan
Saved over $78,000 in avoided disposal costs
Reused entire houses and for those that were removed, reused everything possible – including the kitchen sink
Overture Center for the Arts, Madison – Demolition Phase One
Recycled carpet, ceiling tile, concrete, and metal and included extensive reuse
74% reuse and recycling rate by weight
Net savings of nearly $30,000 by reusing and recycling 5,300 tons of materials
Veridian Homes, LLC, Madison – Residential Construction Recycling
First-in-the-state exemption to allow recycling of engineered lumber
23% reduction in disposal costs
56% recycling rate by volume by recycling wood and cardboard
Saved 4,260 trees by cardboard recycling alone after a year and a half – enough trees to cover 388 home lots.
West Campus Co-generation Facility. Madison Gas & Electric – Construction Recycling
Salvage value plus avoided disposal costs resulted in a benefit of over $103,000
Achieved a 90% savings on disposal costs
Received the Governor's Award for Excellence in Environmental Performance
75.3% recycling rate by weight
Alliant Energy Worldwide Corporate Headquarters, Madison
75% recycling rate by volume
Over $15,000 saved in avoided disposal costs
Efforts covered by local, statewide and national press and received several awards
To find out more about WasteCap Wisconsin's services and results, email Joe Liebau at jliebau@wastecapwi.org.