Construction Waste Consulting
We help contractors, developers, and architects turn construction waste into a resource — reducing landfill disposal, recovering valuable materials, and earning green building credits.
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Construction Waste Is a Solvable Problem
The construction industry generates approximately 600 million tons of debris annually in the United States — more than twice the volume of municipal solid waste. In a typical demolition or renovation project, 70 to 90 percent of that waste is technically recyclable or reusable. Yet without a deliberate diversion strategy, most of it ends up in a landfill — at significant cost to the contractor and the environment.
Our construction waste consulting service bridges the gap between the waste your project produces and the value that waste contains. We develop customized waste diversion plans that identify every material stream, assign a diversion pathway, train your crews, coordinate logistics, and document the results. The outcome is a project that sends less to the landfill, recovers more value from salvage and recycling, and qualifies for green building credits that enhance the project's marketability.
We bring a unique perspective to this work. As a reclaimed lumber dealer and deconstruction contractor, we understand salvage value from the inside. We know what materials are worth recovering, what the market will pay for them, and how to extract them efficiently. This real-world experience makes our consulting practical rather than theoretical.
By the Numbers
- Typical Diversion Rate75-95%
- Landfill Cost Savings30-60%
- LEED Credits SupportedMR Credits 2 & 3
- Plan Turnaround2-3 weeks
Consulting Services
From initial planning through project closeout, we provide the expertise, coordination, and documentation that make waste diversion work.
Waste Diversion Planning
We develop project-specific waste diversion plans that identify every material stream generated by your construction or demolition project and assign a diversion pathway — reuse, recycling, donation, or (as a last resort) landfill disposal. A well-crafted plan typically diverts 75 to 95 percent of project waste from the landfill, dramatically reducing disposal costs and qualifying the project for green building credits.
Pre-Demolition Salvage Assessments
Before any structure comes down, we conduct a thorough salvage assessment to identify materials with reuse value — reclaimed lumber, architectural elements, brick, hardware, fixtures, and specialty items. We document quantities, conditions, and estimated salvage values, then recommend whether on-site deconstruction, selective salvage, or referral to a salvage dealer makes the most economic and environmental sense.
Green Building Certification Support
If your project is pursuing LEED, NGBS, Living Building Challenge, or another green building certification, we provide the documentation, tracking, and reporting needed to earn waste-related credits. We understand the credit requirements inside and out and know exactly what documentation the certification body expects — saving your team hours of administrative work.
Contractor Training
We train on-site crews to identify salvageable materials, sort waste streams properly, and follow the waste diversion plan. Effective training is the difference between a diversion plan that exists on paper and one that actually works in the field. We offer both pre-project training sessions and periodic on-site check-ins during construction.
Hauling & Logistics Coordination
We coordinate the logistics of waste diversion — scheduling dumpster pulls, arranging recycling pickups, connecting you with salvage buyers, and managing donation logistics for materials going to Habitat for Humanity ReStore or other reuse organizations. Our network of haulers, recyclers, and reuse organizations streamlines the process so your crew can focus on building.
Waste Auditing & Reporting
We track every ton of material leaving your job site — documenting what goes where, calculating diversion rates, and producing detailed reports for project owners, certification bodies, and regulatory agencies. Our reports include weight tickets, facility receipts, and photographic documentation that satisfy even the most stringent audit requirements.
How We Work with Your Team
Phase 1: Discovery
Week 1- Review project plans, specifications, and demolition scope
- Conduct site visit to assess existing conditions and material inventory
- Identify local recycling, salvage, and reuse outlets for each material stream
- Determine applicable green building credit requirements
- Assess regulatory requirements (city, state, federal)
Phase 2: Plan Development
Week 2-3- Prepare detailed waste diversion plan with material-by-material pathways
- Estimate quantities and salvage values for reusable materials
- Calculate projected diversion rate and landfill cost savings
- Develop site logistics plan — container placement, sorting areas, signage
- Draft contractor training materials and on-site reference guides
Phase 3: Implementation
Project Duration- Train on-site crews on the waste diversion plan
- Install sorting areas, labeled containers, and signage
- Coordinate salvage removal, recycling pickups, and donation logistics
- Conduct periodic site visits to monitor compliance
- Troubleshoot issues and adjust the plan as conditions change
Phase 4: Closeout
Final 2 Weeks- Compile final waste diversion report with weight tickets and documentation
- Calculate actual diversion rate vs. target
- Prepare green building certification submittals if applicable
- Deliver salvage revenue accounting
- Provide lessons-learned summary for future projects
The Financial Case for Waste Diversion
Waste diversion is not charity — it is good business. Landfill disposal in the New Orleans metro area costs $45 to $85 per ton, and those costs are rising annually as landfill capacity shrinks and regulatory requirements tighten. A typical 2,000-square-foot residential demolition generates 80 to 120 tons of debris, meaning landfill disposal alone can cost $5,000 to $10,000.
A well-executed waste diversion plan can cut that disposal bill by 30 to 60 percent by redirecting materials to lower-cost or revenue-generating channels. Clean concrete and masonry go to a crusher at $10 to $20 per ton (versus $45+ at the landfill). Clean wood waste goes to a biomass facility or is chipped for mulch at $15 to $25 per ton. Metals are sold to scrap dealers at market prices. And salvageable materials — reclaimed lumber, architectural elements, fixtures — generate direct revenue.
On a recent 4,000-square-foot commercial demolition project in the Warehouse District, our waste diversion plan achieved a 91 percent diversion rate. The project generated $8,200 in salvage revenue (primarily from old-growth cypress beams and heart pine flooring), saved $6,400 in avoided landfill tipping fees, and earned the developer two LEED credits that contributed to a Silver certification. The total net benefit of the waste consulting engagement was over $12,000 — against a consulting fee of $3,500.
The math works on smaller projects too. Even a single-family renovation that diverts its wood, metal, and concrete waste can save $1,000 to $3,000 in disposal costs relative to sending everything to the landfill in a single mixed-debris dumpster.
Warehouse District Mixed-Use Conversion
A developer retained us to provide waste consulting on the gut renovation of a 12,000-square-foot former cotton warehouse being converted to mixed-use (ground-floor retail, upper-floor residential). The 1880s-era building contained significant old-growth timber framing, original brick walls, cast iron columns, and heart pine flooring — all of which had value as salvage.
Challenge: The project was pursuing LEED Silver certification, which required a minimum 75 percent waste diversion rate by weight. The general contractor had no prior experience with waste diversion on this scale and needed a turnkey solution.
Our approach: We conducted a pre-demolition salvage assessment that identified over 8,000 board feet of salvageable heart pine flooring, 14 old-growth cypress beams (8x10 to 12x12), 6 cast iron columns, and assorted hardware and fixtures. We developed a phased salvage plan that extracted these materials before the general demolition began, then implemented a four-stream sorting system (wood, metal, masonry, general waste) for the remaining demolition debris.
Results: 91 percent diversion by weight. The salvaged materials generated $8,200 in revenue (purchased by our own yard and by two other salvage dealers). The project earned LEED MR Credit 2 (Construction Waste Management — Divert 75% from Disposal) and contributed to the overall Silver certification. Total disposal costs were $4,800 — versus an estimated $11,200 for conventional landfill disposal of all debris.
Codes, Standards & Incentives
LEED v4.1 MR Credits
LEED v4.1 awards up to 2 points for construction waste management. The threshold for 1 point is 50 percent diversion by weight; 2 points requires 75 percent diversion. Our plans routinely achieve 85 to 95 percent diversion, exceeding the 2-point threshold with margin. We handle all documentation and LEED Online submittals for the waste-related credits.
NGBS Green (ICC 700)
The National Green Building Standard awards points for waste reduction under Section 6 (Resource Efficiency). Points are earned for waste management plans, on-site waste diversion, and use of salvaged materials. Our consulting supports NGBS compliance at all certification levels (Bronze through Emerald).
Louisiana DEQ Requirements
The Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality regulates solid waste disposal and construction debris. While Louisiana does not currently mandate construction waste recycling, the DEQ's solid waste regulations set standards for debris landfills, require manifesting of certain waste types, and establish permitting requirements for temporary on-site storage of construction debris.
New Orleans City Ordinances
The City of New Orleans requires demolition permits and regulates debris removal timelines. In historic districts, the Historic District Landmarks Commission may require salvage of specific architectural elements before demolition is approved. We ensure your project complies with all applicable city requirements.
Federal Tax Incentives
Donations of salvaged building materials to qualified 501(c)(3) organizations (such as Habitat for Humanity ReStore) may qualify for federal income tax deductions based on the fair market value of the donated materials. We coordinate donation logistics and provide the documentation needed for IRS reporting.
Emerging Mandates
Several Louisiana municipalities are considering mandatory construction waste recycling ordinances modeled on programs in California, Massachusetts, and Portland. Contractors who establish waste diversion practices now will be ahead of the curve when these mandates take effect — and the infrastructure and relationships they build today will give them a competitive advantage.
Our Clients
General Contractors
Need waste diversion plans to meet owner requirements, earn green building credits, and reduce disposal costs on demolition and renovation projects.
Developers
Want to maximize green building certification points, demonstrate ESG commitment, and reduce project costs through smart waste management.
Architects & Engineers
Specify waste diversion requirements in project documents and need a qualified consultant to implement and document compliance.
Property Owners
Facing demolition or major renovation of an existing structure and want to recover the salvage value of existing materials before work begins.
Government Agencies
Required to demonstrate waste diversion on publicly funded projects and need documentation that satisfies audit requirements.
Institutional Clients
Universities, hospitals, and nonprofits with sustainability mandates that include construction waste diversion targets.
Complete Waste Diversion Support
Waste consulting pairs naturally with our other services. Our deconstruction crews can handle the physical salvage work identified in our consulting assessments. Our recycling coordination service manages the logistics of getting recyclable materials to the right facilities. And our material buying program puts cash in your pocket for salvageable lumber, beams, and architectural elements.
Together, these services form a complete waste diversion ecosystem. We can serve as your sole waste management partner — from initial planning through final reporting — or we can provide consulting only and let your existing subcontractors handle the fieldwork with our guidance.
Ready to Divert Your Construction Waste?
Tell us about your project — type, size, location, and timeline — and we will provide a proposal for waste consulting services within one business day.