Construction and Demolition Debris Recycling Program

Background
The City of Santa Clara is required by State law to implement programs designed to divert 50 percent of discarded material from landfills. Construction and demolition debris (C&D) generated by projects within the City represents a significant amount of the City’s waste stream. A Waste Generation Study determined that 70,000 tons of C&D were recycled in 1999. This represents 12 percent of the City’s waste stream.

The Street Department, Planning Department, and Building Department have met on a couple of occasions to set-up the framework for a program that will be workable for all participating departments. An ordinance requires that 50% of all C&D be diverted from landfills on projects over 5,000 square feet.

C&D Recycling Program
A C&D recycling program has been implemented to encourage increased recycling to assist the City in achieving its 50 percent diversion mandate. Applicants seeking building or demolition permits for projects greater than 5,000 square feet will be required to recycle at least 50 percent of its discards.

Applicants must complete and submit a Materials Check-Off List with building and demolition project applications on all projects greater than 5,000 square feet. Permittees are required to submit a Recycling Report, along with recycling and disposal documentation to the Street Department within 60 days following the completion of the project.

Permittees that fail to achieve 50 percent diversion must pay a penalty based on the project square footage multiplied by the recycling/diversion shortfall. Permittees will be fined if a Recycling Report is not submitted within 60 days following the completion of the project. The penalty shall be equal to the project square footage multiplied by the difference between 50% and the actual project diversion percentage, multiplied by $1 per square foot. Any permittee that fails to submit a report within sixty (60) days following the completion of a project shall be charged a late fee, in an amount of 10% if the diversion penalty fee or $100 per month, whichever is greater.

C&D Recycling Resources
The City has compiled a list of C&D recyclers, including facilities that will guarantee 50 percent diversion of all incoming C&D debris. Permittees may also meet the City’s recycling requirement by reprocessing and reusing construction materials on-site or salvaging material, such as wood or fixtures for reuse. City Staff is available to provide technical assistance to permittees to identify opportunities for C&D recycling. If you have questions, call (408) 615-3086.