Gaining insight into reuse and recycling practices

Hennepin County Construction and Demolition Waste Study

A shift to more sustainable and resilient solutions has fundamentally changed how communities and companies manage their solid waste. Hennepin County set out to gain a deeper understanding of construction and demolition (C&D) waste diversion related to renovation and remodeling projects. They wanted to explore opportunities to improve the system—we were there to help.

Outreach was conducted via phone and email and contractors were asked to answer a series of interview questions focused on reuse and recycling practices. We then analyzed responses which included barriers around reuse and recycling and opportunities for improvement. This included policy and program recommendations, understanding motivators for the C&D industry, and addressing where emerging technologies can further reduce C&D waste. 

Our final report was submitted and recommended establishing a contractor advisory board, centralizing the reuse systems via informational resources and a public-private partnership warehouse, a contractor education program, an investment in recycling resources, and the promotion of sustainable building materials.

Ultimately, this study provided Hennepin County with important insight into current practices to enable them to make educated decisions for future improvements.