Construction & Demolition Debris

The Solid Waste Authority of Palm Beach County has the responsibility to manage all solid waste generated in Palm Beach County, which includes debris generated during construction, demolition and renovation. This material, called “C&D,” is required to be delivered to the SWA or a facility designated by the SWA where it can be salvaged for recycling and reuse. 

While C&D recycling is voluntary in Palm Beach County, the SWA encourages participation by implementing a simple recycling process and providing accessible recycling locations.

Separation on the Jobsite

The SWA encourages separation on-site because it is the most effective way to reduce waste. In the case of C&D, where material separation does not occur at the jobsite, the SWA issues permits to several C&D recyclers in the county and has authorizations in place with a number of designated facilities outside the county that allow those facilities to receive Palm Beach County C&D for recycling. Most of the C&D in the county is delivered to the permitted recyclers who are required to achieve a minimum 50% recycling rate as a condition of their permit. This program has helped Palm Beach County achieve one of the highest recycling rates in the state.

What Happens to C&D

C&D materials can be delivered to the private permitted facilities (depending on the type of material) or the SWA landfill. At the SWA landfill, there is a Customer Convenience Drop-off Center (CCDC) that provides the ability to separate material into various components, including metal, combustibles and non-combustibles.

The metals are diverted for recycling, and the combustibles are delivered to REF 2 for conversion into energy. Concrete, rubble and soils are repurposed for road base and cover on the landfill. The SWA is able to successfully recycle 35%-40% of materials brought to the landfill and CCDC.