Construction & Demolition Toolkit

Material Disposal Guide

Construction and demolition waste contributes to a large portion of landfill waste in Whatcom County, highlighting the need for adequate resources.

Recycling construction and demolition waste can conserve natural resources, minimize greenhouse gas emissions, and significantly reduce overall waste.

Proper management of this waste not only supports sustainable building practices, but also creates local jobs in recycling and repurposing industries. Our goal with this toolkit is to provide you with the resources to easily and efficiently recycle your waste.

How we can help:

General questions and technical assistance
Waste sorting signage
Resources for contractors

Open Map

Construction and Demolition Trifold Disposal Guide

Proper disposal of construction and demolition materials is essential for minimizing environmental impact and keeping waste out of landfills. Our easy-to-use trifold guide provides clear guidance on where you can properly dispose construction and demolition waste.

Click below to download and print the trifold!

Download the C&D Disposal Guide

Construction and Demolition Jobsite Signage

Clear signage ensures proper sorting and recycling on-site. Press the button below to view and download printable versions of more posters. Contact us if you have questions!

Click here for more jobsite signage!

Frequently Asked Questions

How to reduce waste on your job site

Commit: Designate a leader to oversee waste reduction and commit to waste minimization across the team.
Set Up for Success: Identify materials to recycle, require subcontractor participation, and plan for waste management early.
Hang Up Signage: By adding signage to your C&D drop-boxes, you can minimize contamination. Download and print our recommended signage linked above.
Choose Collection Method: Decide if recyclables will be source-separated, self-hauled, or sent via a third-party recycling hauler.
Plan Site Logistics: Strategize dumpster placement, transport routes, and ensure trash and recyclables are paired on-site.
Educate and Train: Ensure that all team members, including subcontractors, are regularly trained on waste protocols.
Monitor and Evaluate: Track and assess the recycling program’s effectiveness, address issues, and celebrate successful waste reduction.

Click here for further information.

What percentage of construction and demolition (C&D) materials can be recycled?

In Washington, 1.4 million tons of construction and demolition waste are landfilled annually. * It is
estimated that three-quarters of this waste (approximately 74%**) is divertible. Recycling and reusing
construction materials is essential to reducing the amount of resources that end up in landfills.

If I have a recycling drop box, do I need a separate garbage drop box?

All sites where recyclable materials are generated and transported for recycling must provide a separate container for nonrecyclable materials (solid waste), using collection practices consistent with chapter 173-350 WAC.

How do I get a construction waste drop box?

You can contact SSC, Lautenbach Recycling, or Z Recylers to receive roll-off recycling dumpsters for your job site.

Where can I bring C&D waste for reuse?

The RE Store accepts a wide variety of construction and demolition (C&D) materials, repurposing them for resale in-store. They also offer a free pickup service for salvageable materials. Check out their accepted materials.

The Reuse Center accepts reclaimed construction and demolition (C&D) materials, offering them for resale to be repurposed and reused. Click here for further information.

What questions can I ask my contractor to make sure they are recycling?

What materials will be used and which ones are recyclable.
Can any materials be purchased from reuse or salvage facilities such as the RE Store?
What recycling service will you be using?

What are the rules on using reclaimed lumber?

In Whatcom County, the use of reclaimed wood in construction is generally permitted, but it must meet the building code standards to ensure safety, structural integrity, and compliance with zoning and environmental regulations. For residential buildings, reclaimed wood can be used as long as it meets the International Residential Code (IRC) standards, which include requirements for structural strength, fire safety, and energy efficiency. Commercial buildings must follow the International Building Code (IBC), which also allows alternative materials if they are reviewed and approved by the Building Official, typically with documented support regarding the safety and stability of the material.

For more information, you can review the county’s guidelines:

www.codepublishing.com/WA/WhatcomCounty/html/WhatcomCounty15/WhatcomCounty1504.html

Who do I contact to transport a house?

You can visit Whatcom House Movers to find out more information on moving houses.

In The News

Cascadia Daily News: Construction, demolition debris recycling center planned for Bellingham

Local Waste Facilties

SSC – Drop Box Facility & Recycling Center

Phone: (360) 734-3490

Website: www.ssc-inc.com

Accepted materials: Cardboard, Paper, Treated/Painted Wood, Wood Pallets, Plastic Film, Metal, Appliances, Batteries, Porcelain/Tiles, Windows/Plate Glass

Bellingham Roader Ave Location:

Address: 1001 Roeder Ave, Bellingham, WA, 98225

Hours: Monday – Friday 8:00AM-5:00PM

Cedarville Rd Location:

Address: 3463 Cedarville Rd, Bellingham, WA, 98226

Hours: Saturday 9:00AM – 5:00PM

Blaine:

Address: 4411 Carstan Ct, Blaine, WA 98230

Hours: Sunday 9:00AM – 5:00PM

Electra

Website: https://goelectra.io

Accepted materials: Solar Panels

Green Earth Technology

Address: 774 Meadowlark Dr, Lynden, WA 98264

Phone: (360) 354-4936

Website: www.greenearthtechnology.com

Hours: Monday – Friday 8:00AM – 4:00PM, Saturdays 9:00AM – 2:00PM

Accepted materials: Land clearing debris

Habitat for Humanity in Whatcom County

Address: 1825 Cornwall Ave, Bellingham, WA 98225

Phone: (360) 778-2036

Website: hfhwhatcom.org

Hours: Monday 9:00AM – 5:00PM, Tuesday-Friday 9:00AM – 6:00PM, Saturday 10:00AM – 5:00PM

Accepted materials: Clean wood, Metal, Appliances, Appliances w/ Refrigerants, Porcelain/Tiles, Windows/Plate Glass, Solar Panels

Lautenbach Recycling

Address: 1515 Kentucky St, Bellingham WA 98229

Phone: (360) 757-4000

Website: www.lautenbachrecycling.com

Hours: Monday – Friday 7:30AM-4:00PM

Accepted materials: Lead acid batteries, Cardboard, Metal, Appliances, Appliances w/ Refrigerants

Nooksack Valley Disposal – Lynden Drop Box Facility

Address: 250 Birch-Bay Lynden Rd, Lynden, WA 98264

Phone: (360)-354-3400

Website: https://www.nvd-inc.com/

Hours: Monday – Friday 8:00AM-4:00PM, Saturday 9:00AM-12:00PM

Accepted materials: Asphalt, Concrete, Land-Clearing Debris, Cardboard, Paper, Clean Wood, Treated/Painted Wood, Wood Pallets, Sheetrock/Drywall, Plastic Film, Metal, Appliances, Appliances w/ Refrigerants, Batteries, Porcelain/Tiles, Windows/Plate Glass, Solar Panels

Perry Pallet Co.

Address: 6940 Delta Line Rd Ferndale, WA 98248

Phone: (360) 366-5239

Website: https://www.perrypallet.com/

Hours: Monday – Friday 7:30AM-4:30PM

Accepted materials: Clean Wood, Wood Pallets

Recycling and Disposal Services Inc.

Address: 4916 LaBounty Dr, Ferndale, WA 98248

Phone: (360)-384-8011

Website: www.rdsdisposal.com

Hours: Monday – Sunday 7:30AM – 5:30PM

Scrap-it

Address: 1526 Slater Rd, Ferndale, WA 98249

Phone:(360) 734-1112

Website: https://www.scrapitwa.com

Hours: Monday – Friday 8:00AM – 4:30PM

Accepted materials: Metal, Appliances, Appliances w/ Refrigerants, Batteries

The RE Store

Address: 2309 Meridian St, Bellingham, WA 98225

Phone: (360) 647-5921

Website: https://re-store.org

Hours: Monday-Saturday 10:00PM – 6:00PM

Accepted materials:Clean wood, Treated/painted wood, Wood Pallets, Sheetrock/drywall, Coatings, Metal, Electronics, Porcelain/Tiles, Windows/Plate Glass, Light Bulbs

The Reuse Center

Address: 4215 Britton Rd, Bellingham, WA, 98226

Phone: (360) 733-1363

Website: www.reusecenter.net

Hours: Saturday 9:00AM – 2:00PM or by appointment during the week

Materials Accepted: Concrete, sheetrock/drywall, metal, paper, clean wood, treated/painted wood, appliances, appliances w/ refrigerants, windows/plate glass, lightbulbs, solar panels, reclaimed building materials, and some furnishings and equipment.