Recycling construction materials

Gypsum is manufactured into:

• plasterboard
• plaster
• other specialist boards - eg fire protection

Common sources of plasterboard waste

Plasterboard wastage of 10 to 35 per cent can be generated on site during installation. The main causes are:

• off-cuts
• damaged stock
• poor design
• poor storage and handling
• over ordering and disposal of unused materials
• off-site cutting

Recycling options for plasterboard

The options for recycling waste plasterboard produced on your construction site include:

• returning off-cuts to the manufacturer for recycling through take-back schemes
• sending waste to independent plasterboard recyclers to make into new plasterboard and cement
• sending waste to household waste recycling centres
• using gypsum as a soil conditioner
• using gypsum to make bathroom furniture mouldings

However, there are some limitations on recycling plasterboard including:

• old plasterboard removed in demolition and refurbishment projects can be contaminated with other materials and is harder to separate
• specialist types of plasterboard, such as foil backed, cannot be recycled using current technology
• plasterboard made from composite materials is difficult to separate - eg insulation bonded

Making changes to your site operations

You can make simple yet effective changes to your site's operations to reduce plasterboard waste and allow more to be recycled by:

• separating insulation waste to avoid damage
• improving transport procedures to reduce damage to materials
• providing staff with training in the handling of materials
• recovering materials and not sending them to landfill

Potential end uses for recovered plasterboard and gypsum

You can use recovered plasterboard in a number of construction applications and materials including:

• new plasterboard products via suppliers' take-back schemes
• Fermacell (dry-lining board for walls, ceilings and floors)
• unfired clay-gypsum blocks
• mushroom compost
• slope stabilisation
• road foundation construction
• bathroom furniture mouldings

See dry-lining contract work - how to cut waste and costs.

You can find licensed waste sites to recycle or dispose of plasterboard and gypsum.