drywall-recycling
Drywall

 

Drywall Recycling and Disposal Services Available

 

Drywall or gypsum is used to create the walls inside homes because of its fire rating and because it can be easily painted or wallpapered. Old drywall was made differently from the newer drywall, so there are rules that determine how it needs to be gotten rid of. In older houses, it’s necessary to have it tested before it can be removed and disposed of to ensure it is disposed of properly. This is according to the laws and rules from local governments and recycling facilities, which can be very strict about how the drywall is disposed of to prevent major issues.

 

What is Drywall?

 

Drywall is made from gypsum, which is a naturally occurring mineral. The mineral is made from calcium sulfate and water, and the scientific name is hydrous calcium sulfate. It is mined from deposits that were formed by ancient seabeds and can be used for a variety of different purposes. When it’s pressed into a board between sheets of paper, it is turned into drywall and can be used in homes to form the walls. Once it is installed in a home it can be painted or have wallpaper installed on it. It is durable, but if it does break, drywall is generally easy to repair with the right methods.

 

Where and How is Drywall Used Today?

 

Today, more than 80% of the gypsum that is mined is used to create drywall and other manufactured products. The main reason for this is the many benefits that gypsum provides. Calcined gypsum can be watered down and used to create a paste. This paste can be applied to any surface or molded on its own into the desired shape. This is how it is made into drywall as well as how it can be used to repair damaged drywall surfaces. As it dries, the gypsum becomes hard. It is naturally fire-resistant, which means it can be used to improve the first rating of the homes and businesses it’s used in.

 

How Is Drywall Made?

 

Once the gypsum has been mined, it needs to be calcined before t can be used in drywall. This process heats the gypsum to remove part of the water and forms stucco. At this point, more water is added to create a slurry texture. That is spread onto a sheet of paper, and then another paper is laid on top. After drying for a few minutes, the panels can be cut apart, and then the entire panel is placed in a kiln where it will dry. When the drying process is done, the drywall panels can be cut to the appropriate size depending on the construction needs. Drywall ranges in thickness from ½ in to ¾ in, and sizes can be up to four feet by eight feet, though specialized production can create other sizes and thicknesses as well.

 

The Issue with Drywall in Landfills

 

When the drywall is removed from a home or business, it needs to be disposed of properly. In landfills, biological and chemical reactions can occur to the drywall, which can have dangerous environmental impacts. As the drywall gets wet, some of the gypsum will end up dissolving into the water, and if it reaches groundwater, it could contaminate the groundwater with sulfate. At landfills that aren’t lined to protect against this, high concentrations of sulfate have been found in the groundwater.

 

The other issue is that as the drywall sits in the landfill, it starts to dissolve and create hydrogen sulfide, a gas that smells like rotten eggs. This happens in areas like landfills as the drywall breaks down, and in landfills where there is a lot of drywall, this can happen in large amounts. Along with the smell, if this process does occur, workers must be cautious if they may come in contact with the gas. As a result of the issue, some areas have banned gypsum drywall from being placed in landfills. Other options need to be considered instead of taking drywall to a landfill.

 

Recycling Drywall is Always the Better Option

 

One of the best options is to recycle drywall. Cutoffs from new construction as well as used drywall can be recycled. The process for recycling drywall does depend on the facility it is being taken to. Some will require that the drywall be tested before being brought to the facility because drywall installed prior to 1990 can have asbestos in it. Other facilities may not require the testing, but the drywall will need to be bagged properly before it can be taken to the facility. We can review the rules for recycling drywall to ensure you know how to handle it after the removal from a home so there are no issues during the recycling process. Either way, your drywall load should be free from other building supplies such as glass, wood, or scrap metal in order to prevent contamination at the facility.

 

How to Recycle Drywall with One of Our Drywall Recycling Bins

 

When you decide to use one of our drywall recycling bins, we can help you with the recycling process. Our specialists will help you determine the appropriate size bin for your project and let you know exactly how to handle any drywall that is removed and will be able to deposit a bin on your property to contain any drywall that is removed from the home. When the bin arrives, you can start filling it with the drywall that needs to be disposed of. It is necessary to separate the drywall from other materials, which can be placed in a separate bin. Once the bin is ready, we will come to pick it up and handle everything from there.

 

Are you planning a renovation project for your home? If you need to get rid of drywall, it’s important to dispose of it properly, and recycling is often the best option. But, recycling drywall doesn’t need to be difficult or add a lot of time to your project. Our experts can help you understand the pickup and recycling process, and ensure your drywall recycling bin arrives on time for the start of the project. Call us today to learn more.

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?

Gypsum drywall can be recycled however, it may need to be tested first. At Trash King Dumpster Rentals and Bins, we care deeply about our environment, so we are always on top of proper protocols in order to insure against calamity. Gypsum, if improperly treated, may leach into groundwater, poisoning delicate ecosystems. That is why we specialize in planning and prevention, making sure all of your dangerous goods are recycled properly. Since there are protocols to be followed with materials like gypsum, we discuss these procedures with clients and ask that nothing else be thrown into a drywall bin.

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

Langley, BC

  • Langley Transfer Station
  • 9770 192nd Street, Surrey
  • Surrey, BC
  • (604)-681-5600
  • Recycling Yes
  • Disposal Yes
  • Website

Surrey, BC

  • Annacis Waste Disposal Corporation
  • 7184 120th Street,
  • Surrey, BC
  • (604)-523-3449
  • Recycling Yes
  • Disposal Yes
  • Website

Surrey, BC

  • Great West Disposal
  • 7800 Anvil Way,
  • Surrey, BC
  • (604)-597-9161
  • Recycling Yes
  • Disposal Yes
  • Website

Richmond, BC

  • Eco-Waste Industries Ltd.
  • 15111 Williams Road
  • Richmond, BC
  • (604)-788-0484
  • Recycling No
  • Disposal Yes
  • Website

    Maple Ridge, BC

    • Maple Ridge Transfer Station
    • 10092 236th Street,
    • Maple Ridge, BC
    • (604)-681-5600
    • Recycling Yes
    • Disposal Yes
    • Website

    Vancouver, BC

    • Urban Wood Waste Recyclers Ltd.
    • 110 E. 69th Ave
    • Vancouver, BC V5X 4K6
    • (604)327-5052
    • Disposal Yes
    • Recycling Yes
    • Website

    West Vancouver, BC

    • Vancouver Timber Services
    • 1936 28th Street,
    • West Vancouver, BC
    • (604)-925-4597
    • Recycling No
    • Disposal Yes
    • Website

    DRYWALL RECYCLING INFORMATION

    Drywall Recycling

    Drywall is utilized for its versatility, reliability, fire-safety and for its incredibly smooth surface, but drywall is made up of some nasty material and must be recycled properly. Drywall waste needs to be bagged and tested, not mixed with anything else and must be taken to the right facility for safe and effective disposal. To ensure that you are getting the most out of your project waste disposal measures, we will work with you to discover the right bin for your waste disposal needs. When your bin is full, simply call us and we will pick it up.

    GYPSUM USES

    The mineral gypsum has many uses in today’s society. In addition to the manufacture of drywall for building construction, gypsum is also widely used as a soil amendment, in the production of cement, and as an ingredient in the manufacture of many types of commercial products. Since the gypsum makes up approximately 90% of the weight of a piece of drywall, if the gypsum can be recovered from the drywall, the majority of the material can be recycled. Scrap gypsum drywall is currently being recycled in several locations in North America. Examples include the manufacture of new drywall, use as an ingredient in the production of cement, application to soils and crops to improve soil drainage and plant growth, a major ingredient in the production of fertilizer products and an additive to composting operations.

    WALLBOARD RECYCLING

    When making the decision to build a home, many contractors go straight for drywall or wallboard to make the interior of any space smooth and beautiful, easy to paint and easy to repair. When taking apart a space within your home, business, or one of those massive construction sites, the wallboard must be stripped safely and disposed of in a dedicated bin. It is important to wear protective breathing apparel when working with wallboard, due to the fact that it generates dust which may cause health issues. Remember to always be safe when handling wallboard and gypsum products.

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    DRYWALL DUMPSTER RENTALS

    For gypsum, wallboard, plaster and drywall recycling bins disposal companies offer clients the choice of 10-yard drywall dumpster, 15 cubic-yard gypsum dumpster, 20 yard plaster dumpster, 30-yard drywall bin. Drywall recycling is an important feature in our recycling program.

    OTHER NAMES FOR DRYWALL BIN RENTALS

    We also offer gypsum removal, gypsum waste disposal, plaster and gypsum recycling dumpster rentals.

    DRYWALL & RECYCLING BINS

    We offer drywall disposal bins for rent. Message or call a drywall recycling specialist like Trash King to discuss your project and find out how you can get rid of your unwanted gypsum today. Typically, disposal companies offer 10, 15, 18, 20, 25 and 30 cubic yard bins for drywall recycling, drywall removal, drywall waste disposal, and greenboard recycling.

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