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Construction and demolition debris recycling
remains strong
by
Brian R. Hook 
A slowdown in construction spending nationally – mostly
residential, but increasingly commercial – is hitting construction
and demolition (C&D) recyclers. C&D volumes are expected to drop
this year and next, says Michael Taylor, executive director of the National
Demolition Association in Doylestown, Pennsylvania.
“There has been a slight drop in volumes as demolition activity has
slowed,” Taylor says. While demolition is only half of the C&D
acronym, demolition alone generates approximately 115 million tons of debris
annually in North America.
Close to 70 percent of demolition debris is recycled, Taylor says.
Some of the biggest declines to hit C&D recycling in the United States
are from construction. The U.S. Commerce Department reports that total construction
spending slipped 0.4 percent in April from March to an annual rate of $1.12
trillion.
Spending in the private sector for factories and offices rose 1.6 percent,
offsetting residential construction, which fell 2.3 percent for the 26th
consecutive monthly decrease.
Construction spending has not increased month-over-month since September.
Total spending in April was down 3.9 percent compared to April of last year. ...read
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