As construction activity remains strong across the country, the waste generated from projects has benefited the recycled concrete segment of the construction materials industry.
“Concrete recycling remains steady throughout the country because of infrastructure work,” says William Turley, executive director of the Construction & Demolition Recycling Association (CDRA), which represents 270 members across the United States.
Still, that “steady” activity could only be boosted by a federal infrastructure bill – a piece of legislation the industry has been waiting on for years.
“On the federal level, we would like to see the infrastructure bill passed,” Turley says. “If the needed infrastructure bill currently going through Congress gets passed, that will provide added markets to recyclers of concrete and asphalt shingles.”
Room for growth
Even without the passing of a federal infrastructure bill in 2020 – which seems unlikely in an election year – there’s still reason for optimism in the new year.
“As long as the construction market stays strong, the tons will be generated,” Turley says. “Mixed construction and demolition recyclers have continued to see a lot of material coming into their facilities. This is an important revenue source for recyclers.”
Another area of opportunity for the industry would be if states continue – and prove – their support of construction and demolition recycling.
“There is not a state in the union that does not say they support C&D recycling,” Turley says. “Whether they do it in deed is another matter.”
Turley would also like to see states enact procurement requirements of construction and demolition end products, as long as those products meets the required specifications and are priced the same or lower.
Enforcement expectations
The Occupational Safety & Health Administration’s (OSHA) new rule on respirable crystalline silica went into effect for general industry and maritime in June, and concrete recyclers are now in tune with it.
“The CDRA has worked since the rule was first proposed to make sure it would not be ridiculous to try to comply with the requirement, and we have been able to get almost every change we wanted to see in there,” Turley says.
While enforcement of the new rule has been limited, Turley expects that to increase as regulators familiar themselves with the rule.
2020 vision
At CDRA’s annual meeting in March, member attendees were surveyed on the issues the association should focus its attention on most going forward. Regulations and end markets were the two key areas of emphasis, according to Turley.
“We do expect end markets in most of the country will remain challenging,” Turley says. “That’s why the CDRA board of directors felt we had to step forward to help solve the problem.”
Separately, Turley is a proponent of proposed legislation to provide financial incentives to improve recycling infrastructure domestically.
“That would help recyclers create cleaner, better end products,” Turley says.