60,000 tons of C&D waste recycled by Reno Contracting

Reno Contracting, headquartered in San Diego, California, has recycled more than 60,000 tons of waste from construction projects since the beginning of 2009, accounting for an average 72 percent of construction debris diverted from going to a landfill. This amount is the equivalent of three football fields, each 100 feet deep.

Last year, Reno launched a new business group, Reno ESP (Efficient Sustainable Practices), to help commercial building owners enhance the energy and environmental efficiencies of new and existing buildings and structures while driving down operating costs.

Recycling waste from construction projects goes above and beyond the minimum required by San Diego City ordinance. More than half the projects accounting for the 60,000 tons of recycled waste have met, or are in the process of achieving, the more stringent requirements of LEED certification.

Material typically recycled includes metals, cardboard, concrete, asphalt, wood and landscaping debris. To achieve LEED certification, items such as wood, metal and drywall are sorted onsite separately from commingled trash.