| Remodeling projects tend to create a lot of waste, | | | | variety of applications, from flooring to insulation to |
| primarily from the act of demolition. In years past, | | | | roofing, siding, and more. In many cases asbestos is |
| the large majority of this waste was sent to a landfill, | | | | better left alone, as it is unlikely to emit any toxic |
| where it piled up and created the landfill-overcrowding | | | | fibers unless disturbed. However, if asbestos stands |
| issues we face today. In light of packed landfills and | | | | in the way of your remodel then something must be |
| the green movement toward reduce, reuse, and | | | | done, and for no reason should you ever reuse |
| recycle, we have discovered and employed ways to | | | | materials even suspected of containing asbestos. |
| recycle or reuse just about everything that comes | | | | Asbestos must go to a landfill that accepts |
| off a job site. | | | | asbestos-containing materials (ACM); check with your |
| Yet there is some construction waste, especially with | | | | local landfill to see if they qualify. Furthermore, |
| older remodels, that cannot and should not be reused. | | | | asbestos should always be handled and removed by |
| Nonetheless, in all cases there is a proper method for | | | | a professional. Some contractors are willing and |
| handling and disposing of every byproduct from any | | | | licensed to properly dispose of asbestos. Otherwise |
| job, even for that stuff that cannot be reused. | | | | contact your regional EPA office or visit the EPA's |
| Following is a list of some of these unusable products | | | | website for more information or to find an asbestos |
| along with tips on how to get rid of them. | | | | contractor. |
| Lead Paint | | | | Adhesives |
| Wood with lead paint can be recycled, but it must | | | | Construction adhesive, glues, chemicals, and solvents |
| pass through a lead smelter beforehand to have the | | | | should never be reused -- you'd be hard pressed to |
| lead removed. Therefore it is important to know the | | | | effectively do it if you wanted to. Adhesives |
| history of your home and how to recognize lead | | | | containing formaldehyde should not be reused, even |
| paint in the process. Lead has been banned as a paint | | | | if you have extra tubes in storage. Formaldehyde has |
| ingredient for 30 years now, so it is fairly rare and | | | | been recognized as a probable carcinogen by the |
| not to be worried about if you are upgrading a | | | | EPA and is likely to off-gas into your home over the |
| newer home. Still there are plenty of homes | | | | years. It may also be found in pressed wood |
| predating the late 1970s. | | | | products such as plywood, particle board, and other |
| The odds are the paint that you see on your walls, | | | | composite wood products. Nowadays, plenty of |
| trim, and casings is not lead-based, but beneath that | | | | formaldehyde-free products are available for usage, |
| first layer or two you may find lead paint that has | | | | simply check labels or inquire at the building supply |
| been covered up over the years. Tearing off a piece | | | | store. |
| of trim and inspecting its paint layers is always a | | | | If it seems like the above products or materials are |
| good idea. While you can't see the lead in the paint, if | | | | not of primary concern to you, at least those of you |
| you have an old home and find many layers of paint | | | | in newer homes, then you are discovering the beauty |
| on walls or trim, the odds are good that lead is in | | | | of modern construction materials. That is nearly |
| there somewhere and it would be best not to reuse | | | | everything can be reused or recycled, all it takes is a |
| any of these materials. Instead ask your remodeling | | | | smart cleanup system on the job site. If you and |
| contractor or local government about how to | | | | your contractor remember to keep materials |
| properly dispose of materials containing lead paint. | | | | separate -- a pile for concrete, wood, metal, etc. -- |
| Asbestos | | | | you'll find that the pile of materials that cannot be |
| Asbestos is another building product that's no longer | | | | reused or recycled pales in comparison to those |
| in use but still quite common in American homes. The | | | | which can. |
| main reason for its sustained prevalence is its wide | | | | |