Drywall

Drywall Recycling & Disposal

Looking for some drywall recycling information? First let’s look at what is drywall. Drywall or gypsum or wallboard is a product that is used in interiors of homes primarily for its fire rating and the fact that it can be painted easily. There are rules surrounding how old the drywall is and where it came from that determine how much it will cost to get rid of. Often you need to provide proof of the origin of the drywall or have it tested before we can take it, especially if its in an older house. Bin Rental & junk removal companies don’t make the rules, we just follow them and the recycling facilities and local governments are very strict when it comes to this.

DRYWALL RECYCLING

WHAT IS GYPSUM DRYWALL?

A description of gypsum drywall must first begin with a discussion of gypsum itself. Gypsum, a naturally occuring mineral, is composed of calcium sulfate (CaSO4) and water (H2O). Also referred to as hydrous calcium sulfate (CaSO4.2H2O), gypsum is mined from deposits formed by ancient seabeds as a raw material for many different manufacturing, industrial, and agricultural uses.

WHERE & WHY IS DRYWALL USED?

Over 80% of the gypsum mined is used in manufactured products such as drywall. Gypsum possesses many attributes that make it an attractive construction material. Calcined gypsum can be wetted to form a paste that can be directly applied to a structure’s surface or that can be molded into a desired shape; the gypsum hardens upon drying. Gypsum is naturally fire resistant and works great to improve the fire rating of residential construction.

CAN GYPSUM DRYWALL BE RECYCLED?

DRYWALL & H2S DANGERS

Another issue results form the biological conversion of dissolved sulfate to hydrogen sulfide (H2S). H2S is a foul-smelling gas (rotten eggs). It is produced under wet, anaerobic conditions, such as those that often occur in landfills. The presence of organic matter such as yard trash or cardboard is needed for the microorganisms to thrive, but even the paper on the drywall itself provides enough organic matter for the biological reactions to proceed. H2S has been observed over a tremendously large concentration range at C&D debris landfills. The human nose can detect H2S concentrations at relatively low concentrations (250 ppm). Usually by the time the gas reaches the atmosphere, it is usually diluted to below most currently accepted safety concentrations.

WHAT IS DRYWALL & GYPSUM MADE OF?

Gypsum drywall, often referred to as gypsum wallboard or sheet rock, replaced gypsum plaster as the major material used for interior wall surfaces because of its ease of installation. Gypsum drywall consists of approximately 90% gypsum and 10% paper facing and backing. Drywall is manufactured by first calcining the gypsum, a process that heats the mineral to remove part of the water (resulting in CaSO4.1/2H2O). The stucco that is formed is then rehydrated by mixing with water, and the slurry created is spread onto a moving continuous sheet of paper and sandwiched between another layer of paper. This continuous sheet of wallboard is allowed to harden for several minutes, cut into panels and sent to a kiln for final drying. It is trimmed to the dimensions required, bundled, and is then ready for shipment. Drywall comes in many different types and sizes to meet specific construction needs.

DRYWALL & GYPSUM DISPOSAL IN LANDFILLS

Despite many successful drywall recycling facilities in plenty of locations, most drywall in North America is still disposed in landfills. Challenges to widespread recycling include collection and separation, low landfill disposal fees, and the need for more education of potential end users of the recycled material. Landfill operators should exercise extreme caution, however, any time undiluted C&D debris landfill gases might come in contact with a worker (e.g. excavation activities, confined spaces). The odor problem alone has been enough to result in strict actions being required on the part of some landfill operators. Some C&D debris landfill operators have been required to install gas collection and recovery systems, and others have resorted to placing odor masking agents around their sites. In the Vancouver area, gypsum drywall was banned from disposal in landfills as a result of odor problems.

ODOR PROBLEMS FROM LANDFILL DISPOSAL

When gypsum drywall is disposed in landfills, a series of biological and chemical reactions can occur that have the potential for adverse environmental impacts. When drywall in a landfill gets wet, some of the sulfate from the gypsum dissolves into the water. If this “leachate” reaches the groundwater, contamination with sulfate may result. The US federal secondary drinking water standard for sulfate is 250 mg/L. Concentrations above this level have been observed in the groundwater at unlined C&D debris landfills. The sulfate also contributes to the high total dissolved solids (TDS) concentrations observed in groundwater at many C&D debris landfills.

Facility Directory

NEW WESTMINSTER, BC

New West Gypsum Recycling BC
38 Vulcan Street
6045349925
Disposal Yes
Recycling Yes
http://gypsumrecyclingbc.com

CALGARY, AB

New West Gypsum Recycling Alberta
6715 Ogden Dale Rd. SE
Company Phone Number
Disposal Yes
Recycling Yes
Website

OAKVILLE, ON

New West Gypsum Recycling Ontario
2182 Wycroft Road
9058470520
Disposal Yes
Recycling Yes
Website

KENT, WA

New West Gypsum USA
190 F Building 8657 South 190 St.
18009658870
Disposal Yes
Recycling Yes
Website

CITY 5

Company Name
Conpany Address
Company Phone Number
Disposal Yes
Recycling No
Innovation Yes

CITY 6

Company Name
Conpany Address
Company Phone Number
Disposal Yes
Recycling No
Innovation Yes

CITY 7

Company Name
Conpany Address
Company Phone Number
Disposal Yes
Recycling No
Innovation Yes

CITY 8

Company Name
Conpany Address
Company Phone Number
Disposal Yes
Recycling No
Innovation Yes

CITY 9

Company Name
Conpany Address
Company Phone Number
Disposal Yes
Recycling No
Innovation Yes

CITY 10

Company Name
Conpany Address
Company Phone Number
Disposal Yes
Recycling No
Innovation Yes

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DRYWALL RECYCLING INFORMATION