What is Construction Waste?

Construction waste, sometimes referred to as "Construction and Demolition Debris" or "C&D", consists of waste that is generated during the construction, remodeling, or demolition of buildings and roads. Construction waste materials typically include heavy and bulky items like concrete, bricks, metals, glass and lumber. Construction waste can also include salvaged building components like doors, appliances, fixtures, hardware, and windows.

The County of Santa Barbara has a number of policies in place to promote the recycling and reuse of construction waste. In 2011, the County adopted the State's Green Building Standards which require all construction waste generated from any construction project to be recycled at a minimum of 65%.

The County's Planning and Development Department currently requires a Construction Waste Management Plan for most development projects.

For more information about where you can take your construction waste for recycling in Santa Barbara County, find your particular item(s) in the list of "Related Materials" on the right or download a copy of our Recycling Resource Guide.

Please note that certain types of wood cannot be recycled along with other construction waste and will be charged at the trash rate at the County's facilities. These wood types include plywood, particle board, press board, painted wood, laminated wood, varnished wood, and treated wood.

For more information about where you can take your salvaged items for reuse, such as doors, bathroom appliances, light fixtures, or hardware, check the "Related Materials" section in the right-hand column or refer to our Recycling Resource Guide.

Through these construction waste recycling programs, our community currently recycles more than three quarters of our construction waste! For more information about any aspect of construction waste recycling, please contact Carlyle Johnston at (805) 882-3617 or send him an e-mail.

Construction Waste Includes:

• Common Construction Materials:

  • Concrete, Masonry
  • Brick, Stone
  • Drywall, Roofing

• Floor and Ceiling Materials:

  • Carpet, Flooring
  • Ceiling Tiles, Floor Tiles

• Road and Fill Materials:

  • Asphalt and Gravel
  • Soil and Sand

• Metals (recycling section):

  • Steel, Copper and others

What about Paint or Fluorescent Lights?

Construction projects will often produce materials that require special handling. Some examples include:

• Both Oil Based Paint and Latex Based Paint
• Fluorescent Light Tubes, CFLs and other Mercury containing devices
• Stains and Finishes
• Occasionally Asbestos

What about plastic pipes?

PVC pipes are hard plastic but not recyclable locally.  The pipes often can be reused. While we work to identify recycling options for PVC, the pipes should be disposed of in the trash.

Where to go

• All of Santa Barbara County (1)

  • Granite Construction Company — 5335 Debbie Lane

• Santa Barbara Area (2)

  • *South Coast Recycling and Transfer Station — 4430 Calle Real
  • MarBorg Industries — 119 North Quarantina Street

• Goleta & UCSB Area (2)

  • *South Coast Recycling & Transfer Station — 4430 Calle Real
  • Granite Construction Company — 5335 Debbie Lane

• Santa Ynez Valley (2)

  • *Santa Ynez Valley Recycling and Transfer Station — 4004 Foxen Canyon Road
  • Granite Construction Company — 400 South Highway 101 (Santa Rosa off-ramp)

• Lompoc Valley & VAFB (2)

  • City of Lompoc Landfill (Scalehouse) — Avalon Rd (south end)
  • V&J Rock Transport, Inc. — 1655 North "V" Street

• Santa Maria Valley (5)

  • Bedford Enterprises, Inc. — 1940 West Betteravia Road
  • Cal Portland — 1625 East Donovan Road
  • City of Santa Maria Landfill, aka City of Santa Maria Regional Landfill — 2065 East Main Street
  • MarBorg Industries Recycling/ABOP Center — 1850 West Betteravia Road
  • Santa Maria Area Recycling Terminal (SMART) — 1940 West Betteravia Road

• Cuyama Valley (1)

  • *Ventucopa Transfer Station — Highway 33

• Outside Santa Barbara County (2)

  • Earth911.com – Information Only — 3481 Plano Parkway
  • The Reuse People — 9235 San Leandro Street