The Law

What Businesses need to do to Comply with City Ordinances and State Law

Stamford's Mandatory Recycling Ordinance requires everyone to maximize recycling and reuse of construction materials, and minimize demolition debris (check law). Every resident, every business (including non-profits), and all public and private agencies and institutions such as colleges, hospitals, and local and state government agencies, must recycle. To learn more about what items are required to be recycled, view the Connecticut Recycling Law.

Construction & Demolition Debris

Planning before your construction or remodeling project begins can reduce waste and increase the ability to divert materials for reuse and recycling! Connecticut has a number of reuse centers for building materials that accept leftover or unused construction materials. Many materials can also be recycled including unused/scrap wallboard/gypsum board, clean wood scraps (free from paint, not old furniture wood), asphalt shingles, pallets, and corrugated cardboard. Work with your hauler to create a successful waste diversion program. Wood or wallboard that has paint or other contaminants should be disposed in the trash.

During demolition or deconstruction, it is important to recognize building waste may be contaminated with asbestos, lead-based paint, or other materials that may require special disposal. Before starting a demolition project, be sure to have the structure inspected by qualified professionals for the presence of asbestos, lead-based paint, mercury-containing lighting and equipment, and other hazardous materials, and ensure that these are removed, as necessary, to allow the remaining waste to be disposed of as regular construction and demolition (C&D) waste. For more information on the environmental issues involved with demolition, see Renovation & Demolition: Environmental, Health & Safety Requirements You Should Know About.

Deconstruction activities work to recover cabinetry, decorative molding, doors, windows, flooring, and more before demolition. Although this takes planning efforts, it can save money by avoiding disposal costs and items can be sold, or donated to a community building materials reuse center.

(Source: CT DEEP - Construction & Demolition Debris)

“Uncontaminated C&D waste that is disposed of must be sent to a landfill or volume reduction facility (VRF) that is permitted to take C&D waste. Uncontaminated C&D waste may also be recycled or reused. Many C&D components may be sent to permitted recycling facilities to be made into new products. Clean rock, brick, ceramic, and concrete may be utilized on-site as fill material. However, see the section on fugitive dust and air emissions for requirements that may apply if crushing is required in order to use these materials as fill. Table 1, Key B1 & B5.” (Source: CT DEEP - Renovation & Demolition: Environmental, Health & Safety Requirements You Should Know About, Construction and Demolition Waste)

Setting Up Recycling Services

Setting up recycling service(s) helps save money.

By recycling, businesses can reduce the amount of trash or pick-up days and reduce disposal costs. To order or adjust services, contact your Hauler.

Get Free Support from the City

Use the Toolkit for Recycling Compliance (brochures, posters, signs, a visit) or if an owner of an apartment building with less than 6 units, call 977-4117 for customized assistance. For owners of an apartment complex of more than 6 units, please contact your Hauler.

• To find out what and where to recycle, reuse or dispose of, use our Recyclopedia
• Request a Recycle or Garbage toter
• Report an issue/illegal dumping

Driven By Insights LLC 9-1-2015