Industry News

// Green Building The Home Depot and USGBC Launch Green Home Products Database The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), Washington, D.C., and The Home Depot have launched an online green home products database leed.homedepot.com, a microsite within homedepot.com which features products geared toward green home building. The USGBC says many of the products on the site may contribute towards earning Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) points and prerequisites for the LEED for Homes program. There are more than 2,500 products currently listed on the site. “The LEED green building program helps homeowners measure green home performance across a range of categories, and products play an important role in achieving certification,” says Nate Kredich, vice president of Residential Development at USGBC. “This database represents just one of the many ways in which The Home Depot is advancing sustainable, efficient and healthy homes by supporting green building and green products.” The green home product database is designed to make achieving LEED certification simpler, and will assist homeowners and green building professional to achieve these tenants of sustainability, health and affordability in their housing projects, according to the USGBC.

// Legislative Issues

Injunction Halts Dallas Flow Control Plan
A federal judge has halted the implementation of a waste control ordinance in Dallas, ruling that the law interferes with the commercial rights of waste haulers and interferes with existing contracts.

According to the Dallas News, U.S. District Judge Reed O’Connor rejected the city’s contention that its flow control ordinance was foremost a way to create a “greener, cleaner city.”

“Based on the evidence currently before the court, the Flow Control Ordinance was enacted to raise revenue,” the judge stated, according to the Dallas News report.

Judge O’Connor ruled that the city cannot enact its ordinance, “until further notice from the Court.”

The judge reportedly referred to earlier comments from Dallas Mayor Mike Rawlings touting the plan as one that would raise revenue for the city.

A Rawlings quote identified by the judge and by Dallas News reporter Rudolph Bush was one referring to “thousands of tons of commercial waste leaving the City of Dallas, and people are making money off of that.

 

// Forecasts & Statistics

Insurance Group Releases Report on Metals Theft
The National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB), Des Plaines, Ill., has released a report that tracks occurrences of metal theft. The report reviews metal theft claims from Jan. 1, 2009 – Dec. 31, 2011.

The NICB issued an initial report on metal theft in February 2009. Since then, incidents have dropped off slightly, says the group. However, the NICB says the updated report shows that starting in August 2009, thefts steadily increased across the nation driven by rising prices for base metals, especially copper.

The NICB report identified 25,083 insurance claims related to metals theft in the 2009-2011 span, compared with 13,861 identified from the 2006-2008 report, representing an 81 percent increase. The states generating the most metal theft claims are Ohio, with 2,398 claims; Texas, 2,023 claims; Georgia, 1,481 claims; California, 1,348 claims; and Illinois, 1,284 claims. The NICB report also ranked the five municipal areas that reported the most metal theft claims.

They are Chicago-Naperville-Joliet, 963 claims; New York-Northern New Jersey-Long Island, 921 claims; Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Marietta, 823 claims; Dallas-Ft. Worth-Arlington, 674 claims; and Detroit-Warren-Livonia, 587 claims.

More information, including the full report, can be found at www.nicb.org.

The C&D Recycling Forum will address the topic of metals theft and prevention during a session titled Rules and Regulations. More information about this and other sessions during the Sept. 23-25 event is at www.CDRecycler.com/forum.

 

// Highways & Roads

Georgia DOT Amends Asphalt Specs to Include Recycled Tires
The Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) has amended the state’s road construction specifications to include recycled tire rubber as an alternative to oil-based polymers for road asphalt production.

Starting this year, recycled tire rubber will be diverted from tire landfills to be used to make asphalt.

“Tires are manufactured in large quantities and with great durability. By reclaiming tire rubber for asphalt roads, we can repurpose that durability and provide a beneficial outlet for this problematic waste material,” says Georgia State Rep. Randy Nix, vice chairman of Georgia’s Natural Resources and Environment Committee. “And, by sourcing tire rubber from within the state, Georgia will not only experience environmental benefits but create jobs. Oil-based polymers are brought here from other states and countries. Recycled rubber is sourced internally, so all dollars stay right here in Georgia.”

Nix sought the expertise of Liberty Tire Recycling, Lehigh Technologies and Blacklidge Emulsions. With new test data from these national companies, GDOT says it accelerated its approval of the process and will have recycled tire rubber specs available for asphalt road jobs bids, starting in April 2012.

 

// Events

C&D Recycling Forum Announces Schedule
The C&D Recycling Forum slated for Sept. 23-25 at the Hilton Long Beach and Executive Meeting Center in Long Beach, Calif., has announced its preliminary schedule. The programming is geared toward the many companies who handle construction and demolition materials, from demolition contractors, haulers, mixed C&D processors and government officials. Sessions are as follows:

Sunday, Sept. 23: The Forum begins Sunday, Sept. 23 at 3 p.m. with the “State of the Industry Summary.” Conference organizers Construction & Demolition Recycling (C&DR) magazine will offer insights garnered from its 2012 State of the Industry research. Brian Taylor, associate publisher and editorial director of C&DR magazine will lead this session.

From 4-5 p.m. on Sunday, Sept., 23, a session titled, “Mechanical Sorting Innovations” offers a look at the latest innovations in C&D sorting systems, including technology and configurations designed to help maximize materials recovery.

Monday, Sept. 24: Monday, Sept. 24 at 9 a.m., the Keynote Opening Session titled “Sustainability’s Driving Forces” will explore the crucial role the sustainability movement is playing in boosting the recycling of C&D materials. Hear from the USGBC, a general contractor and a C&D recycling facility on how “being green” is affecting operations.

Then at 11 a.m., in a session titled “Closing New Loops,” moderated by C&DR Managing Editor Kristin Smith, presenters discuss ways to diversify the materials stream and tap into emerging end markets. Carpet recycling and ceiling tiles are among the materials targeted for discussion in this session.

One of two concurrent sessions scheduled at 1:45 p.m., Monday, Sept. 24, is “California State of Mind.” This session shows how California communities are setting a precedent for what happens with C&D debris through diversion requirements, facility audits and other practices that could be coming soon to a city near you. Richard Ludt of Interior Removal Specialists, South Gate, Calif., will both moderate and provide an overview of what is taking place throughout the state. The other concurrent session, “Case Studies: Crushing Successfully,” will present case studies of concrete recycling success stories and update attendees on issues in the crushing sector.

In the concurrent session, “Rules and Regulations” session from 3-5 p.m., an update of regulations affecting end markets for key materials is the focus of this session. Among the speakers of this session is Rich Lorenz of Orlando-based Central Environmental Services, who will discuss scrap theft and prevention. The other session running concurrent, titled “Worldly Views,” will cover international developments in demolition techniques and C&D recycling, and what they mean for the U.S., are the focus of this session.

Tuesday, Sept. 25: Then on Tuesday, Sept. 25, providers of conversion technology show how C&D materials and residues can be used in WTE (waste-to-energy) systems in a session titled Alternative Views, moderated by Bob Brickner, Gershman, Brickner & Bratton, Inc. (GBB), Fairfax, Va.

The final session on Tuesday, Sept. 25 is titled Case Studies: Large-Scale Projects. This session takes a look at Case studies of prominent projects, from both the construction and demolition sectors, that profited by obtaining lofty recycling targets.

Networking opportunities also will be available throughout the three-day event. Receptions on Sunday, Sept. 23 and Monday, Sept. 24 as well as breakfasts, lunches and breaks will be held in an exhibit hall, allowing attendees to see what technologies and equipment vendors have to offer the industry. More information is at www.CDRecycling.com/forum.

 

// Company News

Illinois Company Becomes Certified as a Green Roofer by GAF
Opal Enterprises, a Naperville, Ill.-based roofing company, has recently received its certification as a Certified Green Roofer, from GAF.

In order to be named as a certified green roofer, Opal Enterprises completed a number of different types of training approved by the U.S. Green Building Council, including how to improve indoor air quality with proper attic ventilation, how to prepare a roof for solar energy and how to implement an asphalt shingle recycling program.

“It is vitally important that Opal cares about each step of the remodeling process.” Tara D. Opalski, Opal Enterprises marketing manager, says. “I hate that there are so many landfills being so quickly filled up. Construction debris has no place in the landfills.”

Since becoming a certified green roofing company, Opal Enterprises says it has recycled 217 tons of asphalt shingles. The company has hired a local disposal company, Heritage Disposal, which helps reduce the number of miles driven during the recycling process. The disposal company takes the dumpsters filled with used shingles to Economy Disposal.

 

// Legal Issues

OSHA Proposes Fine for San Antonio Pallet Recycler
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has proposed $163,900 in penalties for the San Antonio operation of Houston-based IFCO Systems North America Inc.

IFCO, which employs 70 people, was cited for 10 violations, three repeat violations and six “other-than-serious” violations. The serious violations alleged include failing to refit employees for hearing protection after annual tests showed the employees had experienced notable hearing loss.

 

// Green Building

Rivers Casino Achieves LEED Gold Certification
Rivers Casino in Des Plaines, Ill., the newest casino in the Chicago area, has been awarded Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Gold Certification by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC).

The USGBC says Rivers Casino is the first casino in the world to achieve the LEED Gold certification.

LEED Gold Certification of Rivers Casino is based on a number of green design and construction features that positively affect both the project and the local community. These features include:

• 90 percent of all construction scrap, more than 35,000 tons, was recycled or utilized on site.
• The project is a Brownfield redevelopment, which rehabilitated a previously developed site and reduces pressure on undeveloped land.
• Casino operations include a single-stream recycling plan.
• Low-flow plumbing fixtures and sensor-controlled faucets reduce water usage by 40 percent.
• Complimentary electric car charging stations are provided for customers. Free valet parking is available to low-emissions and fuel-efficient vehicles.
• More than 43 percent of the material for the project was sourced from within 500 miles of the project site, reducing carbon emissions from transportation of that material and supporting local economies.

“We are proud to be recognized as a leader in sustainable development and we hope to set an example for the rest of the gaming and entertainment industries,” says Greg Carlin, CEO of Rivers Casino. “It’s important to all of our team members that we are a good corporate citizen.”

Rivers Casino was designed to achieve its LEED certification for energy, lighting, water and material use, as well as to incorporate other sustainable elements.

 

// Highways & Roads

US Senate Approves Transportation Bill
The U.S. Senate approved a transportation bill, S. 1813, known as MAP-21 (Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century), which according to supporters, gives states greater spending flexibility, allows the government to set minimum safety standards for subways, and buys time to find a funding solution for a system that has been close bankruptcy.

The $109 billion bill was approved 17 days before funding and authority to collect the gas tax that support it were due to expire, according to news reports. Highlights of the bill include:

• Reauthorizes the Federal-aid highway program at the Congressional Budget Office’s baseline level—equal to current funding levels plus inflation—for two fiscal years.
• Consolidates the number of Federal programs by two-thirds, from about 90 programs to less than 30, to focus resources on key national goals and reduce duplicative programs.
• Expedites project delivery while protecting the environment.
• Creates a new title called “America Fast Forward,” which strengthens the Transportation Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Program (TIFIA) program to leverage federal dollars further.
• Consolidates certain programs into a focused freight program to improve the movement of goods.

// Association Activities CMRA Joins Biomass Organizations in Meeting with EPA Representatives from the Construction Materials Recycling Association (CMRA) took part in a meeting with the EPA on April 10, organized by the Biomass Power Association. The meeting, which also included representatives from several biomass organizations, was to discuss the Non Hazardous Secondary Materials Rule (NHSM) and how it pertains to C&D wood. When revisions to the proposed NHSM rule were introduced in December of 2011, it identified two secondary materials—”resinated wood products” and tires managed under the oversight of established tire collection programs—as non-wastes when used as a fuel. According to CMRA Executive Director William Turley, it seemed likely from the April 10th meeting that C&D wood will probably not be part of that revision, however other options may be available such as a provision to get an administrative ruling from the EPA to be able to use C&D wood in boilers. There are varying degrees to which there could be an allowance for C&D wood. How stringent the allowances are have yet to be determined, and Turley says the CMRA is working toward its next steps. EPA expects to finalize the reconsideration in Spring 2012.

Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM) President Dennis Slater issued a statement congratulating the U.S. Senate on its passage of S. 1813. Slater also commended Sen. Barbara Boxer, chair of the Environment and Public Works Committee, and Sen. James Inhofe, the committee’s ranking Republican, for their “persistence, dedication” to passing the bill.

 

// Personnel Notes

Southern Waste Systems Leader Named an “Ultimate CEO”
Charles Gusmano, president and CEO of Southern Waste Systems (SWS), a full-service waste and recycling company based in Lantana, Fla., has been recognized by the South Florida Business Journal as a 2012 Palm Beach Ultimate CEO.

The award is given annually to business leaders in South Florida who have set a high standard in business and in the community.

Gusmano has almost 30 years of experience in the solid waste and recycling industry. He co-founded Southern Waste Systems and Sun Recycling in 1999.

Over the past decade, he has been instrumental in the growth of the company, from one recycling yard in Pompano Beach, Fla., to 12 facilities spread throughout southeast Florida. Today, Gusmano heads four separate business units, including Southern Waste Systems, Sun Recycling, Sun Disposal and All Star Toilets, and employs 450 people.

Gusmano says his success lies in valuing the importance of people. He emphasizes hiring the right people and focusing on their personal development is essential.

“I hold each member accountable, and I care about them as individuals,” Gusmano says. “I want to grow responsible individuals that are focused on the team’s success. It’s an honor to be recognized among other distinguished CEOs in our community. This recognition would not be possible without my family and our team at SWS.”

Gusmano was one of ten CEOs in Palm Beach County, Fla., recognized as an “Ultimate CEO.” The recipients were honored at a ceremony April 15.

The combination of his expertise in strategic planning and facility operations has been a foundation for the growth of the organization. According to the SWS website (www.southernwastesystems.com), Gusmano’s career has been extensive.

With a focus on learning every facet of the industry, the SWS website says Gusmano brings a strong background in municipal marketing and facility operations.

 

// Green Building

Volkswagen Chattanooga Earns LEED Platinum Certification
SSOE Group, an international engineering, procurement and construction management (EPCM) firm, along with Vertegy, announce their involvement in the success of what they say is the first and only LEED Platinum automotive manufacturing plant in the world. Volkswagen’s Chattanooga, Tenn., manufacturing plant was recently awarded a Platinum certification, which is the highest designation possible awarded by the U.S. Green Building Council’s (USGBC) Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) green building certification program.

SSOE has successfully performed design work for more than 50 percent of all automotive assembly plants built in the United States over the last 10 years. Based on that experience, Volkswagen called upon SSOE to oversee the architecture, engineering, and construction management for this $1 billion+ production facility which produces the all-new 2012 Passat. Once it was determined to pursue LEED, SSOE performed the role of Project Team Administrator (PTA) and Design Lead for all LEED credits with Vertegy provided commissioning and third-party verification.

“Think Blue is Volkswagen’s commitment to reach the highest level of environmental protection and corporate social responsibility in everything we do,” says Dr. Jan Spies, head of factory planning, Volkswagen AG. “It was this commitment that drove the team to strive toward designing, constructing, and applying for LEED accreditation. Being the first automotive plant worldwide to receive a Platinum certification is an enormous accomplishment and wouldn’t have been possible without the innovative design and construction management of SSOE. Their LEED knowledge and expertise supported us in moving forward with the certification process and achieving the Platinum certification successfully.”

The Volkswagen manufacturing plant earned 52 points out of the 69 possible to earn the Platinum title. Sustainable highlights of the plant include:

• The construction team salvaged or recycled nearly 78 percent (4,602 tons) of construction and demolition waste from the site.
• 48 percent of the total building materials were manufactured using recycled materials.
• Certification of the paint shop facility. Previous assembly plants have excluded their paint shop in the LEED certification process due to the complexity of the manufacturing process and the challenge of getting them certified. VW’s sustainably designed paint shop will save more than 50 million gallons of water a year.
• Through low-flow water closets and urinals, the plant achieves a 58 percent reduction in potable water used for sewage conveyance. Additionally, the plant harvests rainwater from its roof that is collected for use in the sanitary waste system. Together, these strategies save 1.7 million gallons of potable water each year. Low-flow showers, lavatory and kitchen faucets further decrease potable water usage, resulting in total savings of more than 3 million gallons of potable water each year.
• The Volkswagen Academy was also certified by USGBC as a LEED Platinum facility earning 54 points of out 69 possible and received this designation in November 2011. The company says the Volkswagen Academy is used to train new employees who will be working at the plant.

 

// Asphalt Shingles

Owens Corning Roofing and Asphalt Asks Homeowners to Take Shingle Recycling Pledge
Owens Corning, Toledo, Ohio, through its roofing and asphalt business, is inviting homeowners to take the shingle recycling pledge as a way to show their commitment to keep old roofs out of landfills by working with roofing contractors who practice sustainable building practices.

“According to the Northeast Recycling Center (NERC), up to 10 million tons of recyclable shingles are removed from the roofs of U.S. homes and buildings annually,” says Barry Hornbacher, Owens Corning Roofing and Asphalt Shingle Recycling program manager. “By pledging to work with professionals committed to recycling torn-off shingles into pavement, homeowners are helping to ensure their roofing renovation will have less of an environmental impact.”

To take the pledge in markets where recycling is available, visit www.roofing.owenscorning.com and select “Recycle Now.” In addition to connecting with local contractors committed to shingle recycling, participants who take the pledge will receive a free reusable tote bag while supplies last.

Homeowners who do not currently have shingle recycling available in their area can fill out a form on the website. Feedback from the form will help Owens Corning Roofing & Asphalt rally support from contractors in their local community, according to the company.

Established in 2009, in alliance with Heritage Environmental Services and Earth911.com, Owens Corning Roofing & Asphalt Shingle Recycling Program is active in 39 markets nationwide.

Since the program’s inception, the project has recycled more than 95,000 tons of asphalt shingles at the Heritage affiliate locations.

 

// Forecasts & Statistics

March Construction Employment Dips
The construction industry lost 7,000 jobs between February and March, following a similar decline of 6,000 the month before, but extended a pattern of modest year-over-year job increases, according to an analysis of new federal employment data released by the Associated General Contractors of America (AGC), Washington, D.C. Association officials said that lack of long-term federal highway and transit funding threatens to hold down future job gains.

“Both the small monthly change and the March-to-March gain of 55,000 jobs or 1 percent are consistent with the uneven, tentative recovery that contractors have been reporting nationwide,” says Ken Simonson, AGC’s chief economist. He says March was the seventh consecutive month that construction employment had risen from the same month a year earlier. “Meanwhile, the industry’s unemployment rate has been dropping faster than the pickup in construction jobs, implying that workers are leaving the industry, which could cause problems later,” he says.

Simonson states the construction unemployment rate in March was 17.2 percent, or roughly double the national unemployment rate, but the industry rate had improved from 20 percent in March 2011 and 24.9 percent in March 2010.

“In the past two years, the industry’s unemployment ranks have dropped by more than 800,000,” he says. “That is good news for those who have found jobs, but unfortunately construction firms have not hired most of them. Construction employed the same number of workers, 5.55 million, in March 2012 as it did in March 2010. That means construction workers are leaving the industry, either for other jobs or to retire, and contractors may have trouble finding experienced workers in the future.”

 

// Forecasts & Statistics

Study Finds 68 Percent of Highway Contractors Had Vehicles Crash Into Work Zones
Sixty-eight percent of the nation’s highway contractors had motor vehicles crash into their construction work zones during the past year, according to the results of a new highway work zone study conducted by the Associated General Contractors of America (AGC), Washington, D.C. Association officials added that the study found those work zone crashes are more likely to kill construction workers than they are to kill vehicle operators or passengers.

“Any time your job site is just a few feet away from fast moving traffic, things can get a little too exciting,” says Tom Brown, the chair of the association’s national highway and transportation division and president of Vista, Calif.-based Sierra Pacific West. “Since construction workers don’t get the option of wearing seatbelts, they are more likely to be killed in a work zone crash than motorists are.”

Brown says 28 percent of contractors report their workers were injured during work zone crashes this past year, and 18 percent had at least one construction worker killed during those crashes. While they are less likely to kill motor vehicle operators and passengers, highway work zone crashes do pose a significant risk for people in cars, Brown adds. More than 50 percent of work zone crashes injure vehicle operators or users, and 15 percent of those crashes kill them. Work zone crashes also have a pronounced impact on construction schedules and costs. Brown says 35 percent of contractors reported work zone crashes during the past year forced them to temporarily shut down construction activity.

“When motorists see construction signs and orange barrels, they need to take the foot off the gas, put the phone down and keep their eyes on the road.”