Construction and Demolition Waste
Construction and Demolition Waste has a different composition to residential or other commercial waste, and has some special considerations.
Construction and Demolition waste makes up about 12% of the waste that goes into the Squamish Landfill, and another 11% of the waste is Mixed Waste, which includes construction and demolition waste containing divertible material. Of the Construction and Demolition waste that was audited in the 2020 Waste Composition Audit, over 40% of the waste was divertible wood waste.
Solid Waste Bylaw
Construction and Demolition Waste is subject to the Solid Waste Bylaw. The bylaw requires recyclables and organic waste to be separated from landfill waste. For most construction sites, this means separating wood waste, metal and drywall off cuts, and during the finishing stages, separating cardboard and plastic overwrap from the garbage.
Many sites that take their own material to the landfill will use scrap wood to put together storage bins to separate material on site so it's easier to dispose of.
The tipping fee at the landfill also reflects this requirement, with a significantly lower fee for separated wood waste, and free recycling for separated metal, cardboard and overwrap. Garbage containing more than 5% recyclable material is charged at the highest rate.
Demolition Waste Diversion Bylaw
Under the Demolition Waste Diversion Bylaw, a refundable fee of $20 per square metre is paid along with the Permit Application. When 80% or more of the waste is diverted by volume, the fee is refunded. Material can be sold or donated for reuse for 2x the diversion credit.
View the Demolition Waste Diversion Report . Applicants must submit a completed report along with all proof of diversion, like scale tickets and receipts Please send any questions about this bylaw to [email protected]
Gypsum and Drywall
The Squamish Landfill accepts drywall/gypsum from both residential and commercial generators. However, the landfill does not accept asbestos-containing drywall/gypsum.
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Drywall/Gypsum must show post-1990 date stamp or accompanied by an analytical report indicating that "no trace" of asbestos was found; and
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Clean of any texture coat or drywall joint compounds
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Analytical report must be less than 6 months old and must include the address from which the drywall/gypsum board is to be removed.
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A Gypsum Declaration form is required to deposit Drywall/Gypsum at the Squamish Landfill. Copies are also available at the landfill scale house.
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If you have asbestos-containing drywall, or non-date-stamped drywall pieces, you must hire a private abatement company or bring the material (in a safe manner) to a site that accepts asbestos-containing drywall.
Any drywall/gypsum found dumped in the landfill is subject to a $500 fine.
WorkSafe BC has several asbestos resources including:
- Booklets and safety manuals for those working with and around asbestos
- FAQs for homeowners
- Toolbox meeting guides
- Videos for management, supervisors, and crew
Wildlife Bylaw
Many wildlife - human conflicts in Squamish are based around garbage. It is important to manage your construction site to avoid attracting wildlife.
It is the Contractor's responsibility to:
- Provide bear resistant bins for all food waste.
- Keep all food waste out of construction waste bins.
- Keep any on-site barbecues clean.
The easiest way to do this is to have a no food waste on site policy, and ensure all lunch waste and barbecues are taken home at the end of the day.
Wildlife can also be attracted to petroleum products, paint and antifreeze. These materials should also be kept secure in bear resistant containers or lock-ups.
For more information on keeping your site wildlife resistant, please contact [email protected].
Report all wildlife sightings or encounters through the Conservation Service 24/7 hotline - 1.877.952.7277.
Resources
Waste Diversion Guides and Toolkits
Construction and Demolition Waste Recycling Guide
Construction & Demolition Waste Diversion Toolkit
Forms, Reports and Templates
Drywall Disposal Declaration Form
Deconstruction and Demolition Report
Demolition Waste Diversion Report Template (Excel file)
External Resources
Metro Vancouver Construction and Demolition Waste Toolkit