Construction and demolition (C&D) waste accounts for about 25 per cent of the total amount of municipal solid waste sent to landfill in Alberta. The volume of C&D waste keeps increasing each year. 

It is estimated that no more than 10 per cent of all C&D waste materials are currently being recycled, even though recycling markets are available to divert much of these materials. A provincial C&D waste reduction program will help provide incentive for people to reduce, reuse and recycle more C&D materials.

In 2008, a Memorandum of Understanding was signed between Alberta Environment, the Alberta Construction Association (commercial builders) and the Canadian Home Builders’ Association-Alberta (residential builders) to work  together in developing a provincial C&D waste reduction program. A technical working group with representatives  from industry, local government, an environmental non-government organization and Alberta Environment staff was formed to develop a more comprehensive proposal for the deposit-refund program and environment fund. The working group conducted additional research, financial modeling, and focused consultations to develop the proposal.

In March/April 2009, the working group held several focus group meetings across the province to discuss the program proposal with representatives from the commercial and residential construction industry. Two meetings were also held  with C&D recyclers, waste haulers and landfill managers. Feedback was used to revise and further refine the proposal.  The final phase of consultation is now taking place.

Please read the Construction & Demolition backgrounder document for more information.