C&D World session preview: A 360-degree view of gypsum recycling

At C&D World 2025 (March 11-14, Dallas), attendees will expand their knowledge of construction and demolition (C&D) recycling industry trends and topics via engaging sessions presented by industry leaders.

In Gypsum Recycling: A 360-Degree View, March 13 from 2 p.m. to 3:15 p.m. Central, Amanda Kaminsky, director of sustainability at Consigli; Michael McCamley, global business development at New West Gypsum Recycling; Richard Ludt, director of environmental affairs and LEED AP at Interior Removal Specialist, Inc.; Katie Kennedy, C&D diversion lead, City of Seattle; and Te Hua Lau, director of sustainability and thermal engineering at United States Gypsum Corporation, will discuss gypsum collection and processing best practices, market development and policy, challenges and opportunities regarding gypsum recycling and more.

Construction & Demolition Recycling recently spoke with Kaminsky about the session and some of the key topics the panel is going to explore.

Construction & Demolition Recycling (C&DR): What are the primary challenges associated with gypsum recycling, and what solutions have been proposed to address these challenges?

Amanda Kaminsky (AK): The challenges to gypsum recycling vary by circumstance but can include:  

• Unwillingness to source separate gypsum on jobsites, which can be resolved by smart logistics.
• Contamination of non-gypsum elements in recyclable gypsum scrap streams, which can be resolved by strengthening quality assurance and quality control (QA/QC) by the garbage collector and recycler.
• U.S. manufacturers not yet accepting post-use/demo/deconstructed gypsum material out of concern for potential asbestos contamination, which can be resolved by establishing trusted QA/QC measures from the jobsite through recycling.
• Lack of regional processing capacity, which can be resolved by existing agricultural gypsum processors adding this end market specification capability, new third-party processors setting up in sensible hubs or manufacturers adding this capability at their manufacturing plants.

Lack of diversified end markets in a particular region, in which case processors might need to concentrate on one or two options between closed loop gypsum remanufacturing, agriculture and cement.

Landfill alternatives to gypsum scrap diversion are sometimes cheaper. Tipping fees are steadily increasing, and many landfills are closing due to capacity and/or hydrogen sulfide gas (H₂S).

C&DR: How can regulations and policies influence gypsum recycling efforts, and what is an example of an effective regulatory measure?

AK: Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, banned gypsum drywall scrap from landfill in the mid-1980s because it was directly causing harmful H₂S to form in a humid anaerobic landfill. This ban led to the formation of New West Gypsum Recycling, which has been recycling the material ever since.

C&DR: How can the quality and safety of recycled gypsum products be ensured, particularly regarding contamination and hazardous materials like asbestos?

AK: A strong understanding of where contamination can occur, as well as robust QA/QC measures at jobsites and recycling and processing facilities, will help minimize contamination and eliminate inclusion of asbestos-containing materials in the recycling stream.   

C&DR: How can gypsum recycling infrastructure be improved to support higher recycling rates and better environmental outcomes?

AK: When recycling infrastructure is developed to serve various end markets, this diversification can help increase diversion from landfills. Also, some recycling equipment can grind gypsum drywall scrap but not remove paper content, which can limit the amount of recycled content that can be included in new drywall manufacturing due to fire code compliance.  

C&DR: What can attendees expect to learn from this session?

AK: Attendees will hear from a cross section of industry that touches drywall daily, including domestic and global recycling; policy; manufacturing and builder perspectives on the current state of gypsum recycling; current challenges facing the industry; and solutions for the industry to work toward.