C&D debris
Definition
Construction and demolition debris: concrete, wood, drywall, asphalt shingles, brick, metal and glass from building work. The US generated about 600 million tons in 2018.
What else to know about c&d debris
More than twice the volume of household municipal solid waste. About 76% went to next-use markets rather than landfill, mostly as aggregate.
Related terms
- Aggregate — Crushed concrete, brick and asphalt processed for reuse as road base and fill. The largest destination for US C&D debris.
- Diversion rate — The share of a project’s waste, by weight, kept out of landfill through recycling or salvage. The number building inspectors ask about.
Sources
- Primary source Construction and Demolition Debris: Material-Specific Data — US Environmental Protection Agency · last reviewed 2026-08-17