C&D debris also includes salvaged building components such as doors, windows, and plumbing fixtures.

C&D waste makes up between 30% and 40% of the total amount of solid waste that is created in Region 6.

Reducing C&D debris conserves landfill space and reduces the environmental impact of producing new materials. It can reduce the overall building project expenses through avoided purchase/disposal costs.

Reducing C&D Debris
• Calculate and purchase only what you need, and use what you have before buying more.
• Avoid damaging materials before they are used. Schedule deliveries to reduce on-site storage time
   and potential damage.
• Buy products with less packaging.
• Used building material stores sell materials for construction and renovation projects. Materials
   and items are salvaged mostly from remodelling projects, pre-demolition salvage, and
   deconstruction projects.
• The Nova Scotia Materials Exchange is a web-based database (www.nsmaterials.com) where
   individuals and businesses can search for needed materials or list their surplus items for sale.
• Freecycle is a website where individuals and business can give or get materials for free from other users.
• Many building components can be recycled where markets exist. Wood can be recycled into
   engineered-wood products like furniture and plastic-composite decks, as well as mulch, compost,
   and other products.
• Metals—including steel, copper, and brass—are also valuable commodities to recycle.
• Cardboard packaging is not classified as a C&D waste, although it is used in packaging from home
   building sites. Many markets exist for recycling this material and it is important to separate and
   recycle it.