As the project's architect, you play an important role in enabling your project to achieve a high recycling rate. The following techniques will lay the groundwork before construction begins:

• Put the Construction Waste Management Specification 01524 (DOC, 94 kb) into your construction documents. This legal document is your insurance that your contractor will achieve the client's expectations. In fact, many site superintendents appreciate this spec because it gives them an influential tool to get their subs to comply with the job-site recycling program. Use Resource Venture's model specification (DOC, 74 kb) on your next project.
• Use the Request for Qualifications (RFQ) as an opportunity to pre-qualify contractors based on their previous experience to prevent, reduce, reuse and recycle construction waste on similar projects.
• Discuss the contractor’s plans for managing the project's demolition and construction waste at your pre-construction meeting.

For more in-depth information, read the Construction Waste Management Guide (PDF, 186 kb). This guide was written for architects, designers, developers, facility managers, owners, property managers and specification writers.