Construction projects in Austin, Texas that are larger than 5,000 sf are now required to recycle or salvage at least half of their refuse.
The new ordinance is expected to divert at least 76,000 tons of material from landfills. Another ordinance will mandate that demolition sites recycle beginning in 2019. About 1,500 projects that would now fall under the mandate had generated about 152,000 tons of concrete, metal, lumber, and other waste in 2014-2015.
The city estimates the ordinance will increase construction costs by 0.1% to 0.2%. Companies working on large projects will have to submit reports on the quantity of materials they recycle or salvage. Violators could be charged with a misdemeanor for noncompliance and pay a $500 fine.
City lawmakers developed the ordinance to forward Austin’s goal of diverting 95% of all waste from landfills by 2040. About 20% of the city’s waste is from construction and demolition materials.
Related Stories
Sponsored | Coatings | Jul 17, 2017
Innovation with a green focus
As building codes become more stringent and green rating systems grow in popularity, Valspar has developed products that meet ENERGY STAR and LEED rating system criteria.
Sustainability | Jul 10, 2017
British Columbia receives its first WELL certified workplace courtesy of Perkins + Will
Over 100 wellness features are incorporated into CBRE’s Vancouver office.
Sustainability | Jun 29, 2017
The Dutch ‘Windwheel’ wants to create a new sustainable landmark for Rotterdam
The sustainable structure will be a mixed-use development with a hotel, apartments, and office space.
Hotel Facilities | Jun 29, 2017
Luxury, plant-covered hotel unveiled for site near the River Seine
Kengo Kuma is designing the hotel, which will feature a large garden and a plant-covered façade.
Sustainability | Jun 28, 2017
Mohawk College will have one of the region’s first net-zero energy institutional buildings
The project’s net-zero goals led to the development of a new curtain wall system.
Building Team | Jun 27, 2017
Bruner Foundation announces 2017 Rudy Bruner Award for Urban Excellence gold and silver medalists
The SteelStacks Arts and Cultural Campus in Bethlehem, Pa., receives the gold medal and $50,000.
Green | Jun 23, 2017
Want a healthy building? Follow this primer on two new wellness standards
Since its development in the 1990s, the LEED rating system has been applied to over 19.1 billion total commercial square feet.
Codes and Standards | Jun 21, 2017
World Green Building Council: All buildings must be net zero by 2050 to avert 2°C rise
Building efficiency essential to tempering global climate change.
Green | Jun 16, 2017
Could this become London’s greenest building?
Curl la Tourelle Head Architecture wants to create a school powered by the River Thames.
Green | Jun 15, 2017
45-meter spiraling tower lets you walk above the trees
A 600-meter treetop path culminates with a 45-meter-tall spiraling observation deck.
