Gypsum Wallboard Recycling and Reuse Opportunities

in the State of Vermont

Emma Marvin 

Waste Management Division

Vermont Agency of Natural Resources

August 4, 2000
Table of Contents

Executive summary ............................................... 1

Introduction .................................................... 2

Opportunities

Reuse

Donation ............................................. 4

Resale ................................................ 6

Recycling

Gypsum Drywall Manufacturing .......................... 7

Soil Amendment

Compost Bulking Agent/ Additive ........................ 12

Direct Land Application

Agricultural Land Application ...................... 16

Recreational Land Application ...................... 22

On Site Land Application .......................... 24

Athletic Field Marker ............................. 26

Other (Low Priority Opportunities For Vermont)

Animal/ Livestock Bedding .............................. 28

Cement Production .................................... 28

Facilitate Sodium Leaching ............................. 28

Flea Powder ......................................... 29

Grease/ Spill Absorbent ................................ 29

Mine Reclamation ..................................... 29

Mushroom Growing ................................... 29

Odor Reduction ....................................... 29

Water Treatment ..................................... 29

Processing ..................................................... 30

Resources

Literature ................................................ 31

Web Sites ................................................. 35

Contacts .................................................. 37

Appendices

Appendix 1. Calculation of Gypsum Drywall Generation within Vermont 38

Appendix 2. Transportation Options Considerations. . . ........... 38

Appendix 3. Stakeholder Contact List .......................... 39

Appendix 4. Economics of Recycling Drywall at Smugglers’ Notch

Resort ................................................... 39

Appendix 5. Personal Communications with Mark Russell ......... 40

Appendix 6. Chemical Composition of Gypsum Drywall ........... 41

Appendix 7. Economics of Onsite Processing .................... 42
1

 Cosper, Stephan, et al. Construction and Demolition Waste: Generation, Regulation, Practices, and

Policies. Chicago Illinois: Office of Solid Waste Management, School of Public Health, The University of Illinois,

1993.

2

 Turley, William. “What’s Happening in Gypsum Recycling” C&D Recycling January/ February 1998.

3

 Washington State Department of Ecology. “Gypsum Wallboard Waste (Publication # 96-1556-SWFS)”

www.wa.gov/ecology/swfa/gypsum.html Viewed: 6 June 2000. 

1

Executive Summary

Construction waste and demolition debris (C&D) is accountable for an estimated 30 percent of all

solid waste generated nationally.1 Unfortunately, C&D waste has not traditionally been the focus of

waste reduction efforts; but here in Vermont that focus is now changing. As nearby landfills fill up

and close, and the siting of new landfills becomes more difficult and expensive, the costs of waste

disposal for construction and demolition debris will likely increase. Oftentimes, contractors need

to evaluate projects to determine if more economically and environmentally feasible options exist

than the traditional methods of disposal. As a result, alternatives to traditional disposal for

construction and demolition wastes are being sought out. Thus, Vermont’s current challenge is to

determine and foster the most appropriate alternatives to traditional disposal methods for

construction and demolition wastes. 

This report focuses on one particular component of the construction and demolition waste stream,

new construction gypsum drywall waste. Gypsum drywall waste, like many other forms of

construction and demolition waste presents a number of opportunities for alternative uses. Drywall

is composed of 92% gypsum (calcium sulfate dihydrate CaSO4 2H2O), and 7% paper, the

remaining 1% is a combination of impurities in the gypsum rock and additives.2 The report

focuses on opportunities associated with new gypsum drywall construction waste. New

construction waste unlike demolition and renovation drywall waste does not have high levels of

contaminants (lead paints, wallpaper, nails, mercury, etc.). 

The purity and quantity of gypsum present in drywall provides a number of opportunities for

economically and environmentally feasible recycling and reuse. Furthermore, if action is not taken

and gypsum drywall is allowed to anaerobically decompose in landfills hydrogen sulfide gas

production will continue to be a problem. 3

Thus, the purpose of this report is to evaluate the opportunities and economics for recycling and

reusing gypsum drywall waste in Vermont.
4 National Gypsum. “The Rock Nobody Knows.” www.national-gypsum.com/html/rock.html Viewed: 18

July 2000.

5

 Turley 1998.

6

 United States Census Bureau. “Housing Completions” http://www.census.gov/ const/c22_hist.html

Viewed: 19 July 2000.

7

 National Association of Home Builders. “Residential Construction Waste: From disposal to

Management.” www.nahbrc.org Viewed: 6 June 2000.

8

 White, Edwin and Mark Burger. “Available Gypsum: Construction Drywall As a Soil Amendment.”

BioCycle July 1993: 70-71.

9 Robb, Casey. Drywall Recycling compiled for the California Integrated Waste Management

Board.Revised December 1997.

2

Figure 1. In 1990, 1.7 million tons of new construction 

drywall waste was generated in the United States and disposed

of in some 2,000 landfills nation wide.

Introduction

For centuries now gypsum has played a crucial role in construction; ancient Egyptians used

gypsum to decorate the interior of tombs and early American settlers recognized gypsum’s

potential use as plaster and as a soil amendment. Today, the United States’ principal interior wall

material is gypsum wallboard.4

Often also referred to as

drywall, rock, plasterboard,

gypboard, or by the trade names

Sheetrock® or Gyproc®,

gypsum drywall is a sheet of

gypsum with a paper facing and

backing. The wallboard is

approximately 92% gypsum

(calcium sulfate dihydrate

CaSO4 2H2O), 7% paper, and

1% impurities and additives.5 

 

Nearly 1.6 million new homes

are constructed annually within

the United States, most of which

use drywall during some part of

their construction6. The

construction of an average

single family american home

(2,000 square feet) generates

nearly 1 ton of new,

uncontaminated drywall waste.7 As a result construction, like that of new homes and commercial

building is responsible for approximately 64% of drywall waste, the remaining drywall waste

originates from manufacturing, renovation, and demolition (Figure 1).8, 9 Drywall waste generated

from construction, unlike other sources can more easily be recycled because of the low levels of

contamination.

Traditionally, the waste, regardless of its source has been disposed of either in landfills or through
10 Washington State Department of Ecology. www.wa.gov/ecology/swfa/gypsum.html

11 Robb 1997.

12 Washington State Department of Ecology. www.wa.gov/ecology/swfa/gypsum.html

13 See appendix 1 for the methodology used to obtain this estimate.

3

incinerators. However, there are a number of problems with these forms of disposal. The moist

anaerobic conditions of landfills allow bacteria to reduce the sulfate component of gypsum to

hydrogen sulfide gas, carbon dioxide, and water. Hydrogen sulfide gas at low concentrations is

noxious, and at higher concentrations can be dangerous.10 Regardless of H2S generation, the 1.7

million tons of gypsum drywall waste generated nationally every year consumes a significant

amount of landfill volume.11 Incineration of drywall is also a poor disposal option because the

sulfate present in gypsum is converted to sulfur dioxide gas. Sulfur dioxide gas reduces the

alkaline scrubbers ability to remove other acidic gases.12

In part because disposal is problematic, gypsum wallboard recycling and reuse presents several

opportunities for Vermont. Vermont generates an estimated 7,500 tons of drywall annually, of

which approximately 5,000 tons is new construction drywall waste, the remaining 2,500 tons is a

combination of demolition and renovation waste.13 There are a number of different reuse and

recycling opportunities for new construction drywall waste, including recycling into new drywall

or used as a soil amendment (a number of processing options are possible, however, the end

product is usually applied to the land). Drywall can also donated or resold for reuse. 

The successful implementation of any recycling or reuse option depends upon the options ability to

address common challenges. The gypsum drywall recycling and reuse options presented in this

report are evaluated on the following criteria:

1. Processing 

2. Transportation fees, gypsum wallboard is a dense, bulky material (cost is highly

variable depending upon the distance to markets and amount of drywall)

3. Storage, gypsum wallboard readily absorbs moisture and dissolves as its moisture

content increases (cost is highly variable depending upon other uses for the space)

4. Cost of disposal tipping fees (cost is highly variable depending upon the region of

the state and the amount of waste being disposed)

5. Regulations

6. Comparable products competing within the same market 

7. Stakeholders Motivations

8. Environmental Impact and other considerations
14 For a cost benefit analysis of collection options see Appendix 2.

15 Vermont Agency of Natural Resources, Solid Waste Management Division. “Solid Waste Management

Rules”rule number 98P052: effective 20 December 1998.

4

Reuse

DONATION

Discarded sheets of drywall either half size or larger are often accepted by nonprofit organizations

that build affordable homes.

PROCESS

1. Collect half size and larger undamaged drywall sheets

- These sheets may be collected with smaller scraps and then transported to a

transfer station to be sorted.

2. Transport drywall sheets to a secondary use site

3. Reuse drywall sheets in construction

COLLECTION OPTIONS

• Hauled by the contractor generating drywall scrap

• Hauled by the party accepting the discarded drywall

• Hauled by a third party hired to transport the drywall between sites

The drywall scrap may also be brought to a central transfer station by a local hauler or the

contractor and then transported from there by the receiving organization.14

COST = Source separation + Transportation + Storage

REGULATIONS

There would be no applicable air or water regulations. However, storage of the material would be

regulated under solid waste rules if the drywall is stored at an intermediate site.15

COMPETING PRODUCTS 

• New drywall

• Wood paneling
16 Please see Appendix 3 for a stakeholder contact list.

17 California Integrated Waste Management Board. “Construction and Demolition Debris Recycling

Program” http://www.ciwmb.ca.gov/ConDemo/ Viewed: 6 June 2000.

5

STAKEHOLDERS16

Contractors

- Building contractors

- Drywall contractors

Non Profit Building and Construction

Organizations

- Habitat for Humanity

Solid Waste Districts

 - Especially those in high growth

areas

Haulers

-Waste haulers

- Private trucking companies

Home Owners

Drywall Manufacturers

Drywall Suppliers

- Lumber yards

- Home building centers

Homeowners 

Building material Exchanges

 - Vermont Business Materials

Exchange

CASE STUDIES

1. California Habitat for Humanity

 In California several local Chapters of Habitat for Humanity are accepting donations of 

 gypsum drywall in half size sheets and larger.17

Other Considerations and the Environmental Impact

1. Only a small fraction of drywall waste could be channeled into this option.

 - Generally, if pieces of scrap are large enough to be reused the drywall contractor will keep 

 them. In other words much of the scrap large enough to be donated/ resold would be kept by 

 the contractor if onsite source separation occurs. 

 - Those pieces of drywall which do not meet the size specifications of a half sheet or larger in 

 size or are damaged can not be handled through this outlet.

2. The best use of scrap is reuse. Reuse does not require any extra energy input, besides the 

energy needed for transportation. Also, reuse does not degrade the value of the product. 
18 Please see Appendix 3 for a stakeholder contact list.

6

RESALE

Used construction building supply companies and material exchange networks may accept drywall

sheets over a specified size. Generally, companies like to obtain sheets of a half size or larger.

Please refer back to Donations for Process, Collection, Cost, Regulation and Other

Considerations and Environmental Impacts information. 

COMPETING PRODUCTS

• New Drywall

• Wood Paneling

STAKEHOLDERS18

Contractors

- Building contractors

- Drywall contractors

Solid Waste Districts

- Especially those in 

high growth areas

Haulers

-Waste haulers

- Private trucking companies

Drywall Manufacturers

Drywall Suppliers

- Lumber yards

- Home building centers

Homeowners 

Building Reuse Stores

- Residuum

Building Material Exchanges

 - Vermont Business Materials

Exchange

CASE STUDIES

1. Residuum

Cindy Blakeslee

70 Smith St 

Barre, VT 05641

Telephone: 802-479-9341

Residuum is a non profit organization accepting construction scrap and architectural salvage.

Currently, Residuum accepts gypsum drywall on a discretionary basis. The drywall must be

significant enough in quantity and quality and must be uncontaminated. Transportation for the

scrap material must be provided by the generator of the waste.
19 Washington State Department of Ecology www.wa.gov/ecology/swfa/gypsum.html

20 Synthetic gypsum results from coal powered energy plants. The flue gas desulfurization scrubbers use a

chemical reaction between limestone and the sulfur in the flue gas to produce gypsum. The byproduct or synthetic

gypsum is chemically identical to raw gypsum and is used to manufacture drywall and soil amendments.

7

2. Vermont Business Materials Exchange (VBMX)

Telephone: 1-800-895-1930

In 1994 Pizzagalli Construction Company was hired to convert one of IBM’s office 

buildings into a warehouse space. The project involved removing over 5,000 4' X 10' sheets 

of drywall each weighing approximately 100 pounds. Sending the drywall to the landfill was

not an economical means of disposal because of the high tipping fees, $74 per ton. As a result

Pizzagali Construction contacted the Vermont Business Exchange (VBMX), a state funded

program that matches industrial waste generators with companies which can use the wastes.

VBMX composed a press release to be placed in the Burlington Free Press advertizing free

drywall for those that were willing to take 20 sheets or more. By the end of the afternoon after

the press release had been printed in the paper all of the drywall had been claimed. This

exchange saved Pizzagalli over $15,000 and salvaged 75% of the drywall. 

Recycling

GYPSUM WALLBOARD MANUFACTURING/ REPROCESSING

Ninety-five percent of new construction drywall waste can be recovered and turned into new

wallboard.19 The nature of gypsum drywall makes reprocessing feasible, but challenging. The

quantity and purity of gypsum used in manufacturing makes reprocessing attractive; however, in

order to maintain the integrity of the feedstock the paper must be separated from the gypsum. 

The economic feasibility of this form of drywall recycling depends heavily upon the costs of 

transportation and tipping fees. Gypsum drywall is a dense, heavy material that is hard to compact

making transportation difficult and expensive. The feasibility also strongly depends upon the

regional demand for gypsum wallboard and the costs of virgin and synthetic gypsum. 20

PROCESS

1. Separate drywall from other construction waste

- The drywall must be kept dry and clean in order to guarantee meeting 

specifications

2. Transport the drywall to a transfer station or store until a large enough quantity has been

generated to make transport to the recycling facility economical

3. Transport to the recycling facility
21 See Appendix 2 for a cost benefit analysis of collection options. 

22 Please see Appendix 4 for Smugglers’ Notch’s economic evaluation of reprocessing

23 Please see case study 2 under this heading for details on processor tipping fees

24 Waste Management Division, VT Agency of Natural Resources. “Solid Waste Management Rules” rule

number 98P052: effective 20 December 1998.

25 Please see Appendix 3 for stakeholder contact list. 

8

Once at the recycling facility, the load is then inspected by the loader/operator to determine the

load size and whether the load meets specifications. The recycling facility will then reprocess the

drywall if it meets specifications. The processing varies significantly between different drywall

recyclers and is highly proprietary. However, the process generally involves the following steps:

1. Separate the gypsum from the paper (the paper must be removed because it is viewed 

 as a contaminant)

2. Run the scrap drywall through a magnet to remove nails and other metal contaminants 

3. Shred or chip gypsum

4. Combine with raw gypsum to form new gypsum wallboard

COLLECTION OPTIONS

• Hauled by the contractor generating the drywall scrap

• Hauled by the party accepting the discarded drywall 

• Hauled by a third party hired to transport the drywall between sites

The drywall waste may also be brought to a central transfer station by a local hauler or the

contractor and then transported from there by the receiving organization.21

COST = Source Separation + Transportation (site of generation to transfer station) + Storage + 

 Transportation (transfer station to processor) + Tipping fee charged by processor 22, 23

REGULATIONS

No Air or water quality regulations are applicable. Storage regulations are only effective if the

drywall is stored off the site of generation.24

COMPETING PRODUCTS

• Synthetic gypsum

• Virgin gypsum

STAKEHOLDERS25

Contractors

- Building contractors

- Drywall contractors

Haulers
9

- Waste haulers

- Private trucking companies

Solid Waste Management Districts 

- Especially those in high growth

areas

Gypsum Recycling Facilities

- GP-Gypsum, Newington, NH

Gypsum Wallboard Manufacturers

- GP-Gypsum, Newington, NH

CASE STUDIES

1. Smugglers’ Notch Resort

Christopher Bolen, Environmental Permits and Compliance Coordinator

4323 Vermont Rt 108 South

Jeffersonville, Vermont 05464-9599

Telephone: 802-644-1204 Fax: 802-644-1238

In 1998, Smugglers’ Notch Resort received a grant from the state of Vermont’s Agency of 

Natural Resources to divert construction waste and debris from their waste stream; gypsum

drywall was one of the targeted wastes. The drywall was collected in a roll off container and

then shipped 195 miles to G-P Gypsum in Newington, NH. During the first year of recycling

gypsum drywall construction waste Smugglers’ Notch saw a $10.28 saving per ton of

discarded drywall; in the second year their savings had increased to nearly $60 per ton.

Smugglers’ Notch Resort has found recycling drywall waste is more economical than sending

it to the landfill, which is a hundred miles away . Please see Appendix 4 for further economic

analysis of gypsum drywall reprocessing at Smugglers’ Notch Resort.
26 New West Gypsum. www.nwgypsum.com Viewed: 8 June 2000. 

10

2. GP-Gypsum

122 Old Dover Rd

Newington, New Hampshire 03801

603-433-8000

The closest facility for recycling Vermont’s gypsum drywall is in GP-Gypsum in Newington,

New Hampshire. The specifications for recycling construction waste gypsum drywall at the

Newington facility require clean, uncontaminated wallboard scrap. Drywall must have no

demolition waste and be clean, paper faced gypsum wallboard. If contaminated the load will

be rejected. Load sizes are determined by the loader/operator and the fees are as follows:

Pick Up Truck $10.00

One Ton Truck $20.00

Medium Truck (2 tons max) $40.00

Heavy Duty Truck (4 tons max) $60.00

Roll-off Containers (30 yard Dumpster) $80.00

Flat Bed Tractor Trailer/Van $160.00

The transportation fees are the responsibility of those participating in the GP-Gypsum

Corporation’s gypsum recycling program. 

3. New West Gypsum Recycling Inc. (B.C.). 

5620-198 Street 

Langley, British Columbia 

CANADA V3A 7C7

New West Gypsum Recycling Inc. has developed a process where wallboard paper can easily

be separated from the gypsum. Their recycled wallboard comprises 20% of the feedstock for

the mills they supply. The removed paper is returned to pulp mills in the form of noodle pulp

and then recycled into paper for products, such as drywall backing. New West Gypsum claims

“[they] can recycle drywall cheaper than the property owner can pay to have the material

hauled to the dump.”26 They feel they have been able to overcome the difficulties of drywall

recycling through their ability to transport, collect, and handle wet drywall waste. 

4. Tom Kacandes

TKM Materials

Tom Kacandes is currently developing a technique to separate the paper from the gypsum in

drywall. In order to ensure his business is a success he has setup a collection system and

determined several outlet markets for the reprocessed gypsum. It is his opinion that collection

and transportation in a rural area such as Vermont would be a challenge. He thinks setting up

an arrangement with a manufactured home company who generates a lot of drywall waste

would be the best idea for aggregation. If such an arrangement were not possible Mr. Kacandes
11

believes a transfer station would have to be designed which could handle large amounts of

drywall at a time and then dry spells with no drywall (drywall tends to be generated very

quickly from a single source and then the supply stops).

OTHER CONSIDERATIONS/ ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT

1. One often forgotten impact is the environmental cost of transporting scrap drywall; for 

example Newington, New Hampshire is 195 miles away from Burlington. This clearly is a

source of resource depletion and air pollution.

2. This form of recycling has the potential to handle 100% of Vermont’s drywall waste as long 

as scrap drywall meets the specification of the recycler (GP Gypsum). Currently, demand for

recyclable drywall scrap is greater than supply. 

3. From a life cycle perspective reprocessing of a product is a good solution. Reprocessing does 

not degrade the product’s value. However, the energy put into reprocessing should be

compared to the energy levels required for processing of virgin gypsum and the energy

requirements for other reuse and recycling opportunities.
27 Clean Washington Center. Construction, Demolition & Land clearing Market Assessment: Gypsum

Wallboard (#CLD-95-1). Seattle Washington: June 1999.

28 Turley 1998.

29 Personal Communication with Mark Russell, Sanitary Landfill and Compost Facility Superintendent,

Columbia MO. 

30 Clean Washington Center www.cwc.org/briefs/construction

31 John O’Niles, CSWD correspondence with Andy Harper and Molly Farrell, The Intervale 1995.

12

Land Applications

COMPOST BULKING AGENT/ ADDITIVE

Bulking agents are a necessary component of successful composting. Bulking agents are used to

adjust the bulk density, aerate the piles by maintaining pile structure, and absorb moisture.

Typically bulking agents are wood chips or saw dust. Gypsum drywall can work successfully as a

bulking agent, absorbing excess moisture and adding calcium, sulfur, and some carbon. Moreover,

if aerobic conditions are maintained gypsum drywall can absorb odors. Composting gypsum

wallboard could prove beneficial in areas with insufficient woody bulking materials and large

amounts of grass clippings.27, 28

Gypsum drywall can be extremely beneficial as a compost additive in places where sulfur and

calcium are limiting nutrients. The calcium content of the compost rises in direct proportion with

the amount of drywall present in the mixture. Gypsum drywall also has the capacity to serve as a

buffering agent. Thus, it can often help to neutralize acidic compost mixtures.29

Composting gypsum drywall does present several challenges. First, temperature, moisture, and

oxygen within the compost mixture must be monitored to avoid anaerobic decomposition. Gypsum

wallboards’ tendency to absorb moisture can be problematic, as well. If the drywall is wet before

it is processed moisture will be added to the compost rather than absorbed. Thus, drywall should

be stored indoors and ground on an as-needed basis. The final product should be monitored for the

presence of paper pieces because consumers generally dislike seeing such flecks. The Clean

Washington Center has found that the pieces are unnoticeable in compost mixtures containing less

than 30% gypsum drywall.30 

In 1995, the Chittenden Solid Waste District looked into the feasibility of composting gypsum

drywall in cooperation with the Intervale Compost Project. The district submitted a proposal to

collect 40 cubic yards of clean, gypsum board scrap, grind it, and compost it with the Intervale

Compost Project. Soil tests were proposed to determine the impact of gypsum drywall on compost

quality. The need for air quality tests was to be determined by a CWSD officer present at the

grinding. However, the proposed project was never implemented.31
32 See Appendix 2 for a cost benefit analysis of collection options. 

33 Vermont Agency of Natural Resources, Air Pollution Control Division. “Vermont Air Pollution

Control Regulations (including amendments through 24 August 1998). Section 5-211 Prohibition of Visible Air

contaminants: 1998. 

13

PROCESS

1. Separate drywall from other forms of construction waste

2. Transport gypsum drywall to the composting facility

3. Shred or chip the drywall

4. - According to the Clean Washington Center shredding is best done when 

 mixed with yard debris to prevent dust

5. Add the shredded or chipped drywall to other ingredients of the compost mixture

6. Monitor the compost’s temperature, moisture, and oxygen levels

COLLECTION OPTIONS

• Hauled by the contractor generating the drywall scrap

• The composting facility may agree to collect the drywall scrap

• Hauled by a third party hired to transport the drywall between sites

The drywall waste may also be brought to a central transfer station by a local hauler or the

contractor and then transported from there by the receiving organization or hired hauler.32

COST = Source Separation + Transportation + Storage + Composting

REGULATIONS

Regulations would not differ from those currently applicable to other commercial composting

facilities. The exception would be if the drywall material is ground on site and generates a

significant level of dust and other particulate matter; under this circumstance the composting

facility would come under regulation by the air quality control division.33

COMPETING PRODUCTS

• Wood Chips

• Saw Dust
34 Please see Appendix 3 for stakeholder contact list

14

STAKEHOLDERS34

Contractors

 - Building contractors

 - Drywall contractors

 -Biosolid composting facilities

(Johnson, Springfield, Barre, and

Wilmington)

- Municipal Composting facilities

(Rutland, Intervale, etc) 

- Private composting organizations 

Haulers

- Waste haulers

- Private trucking firms

Solid Waste Districts

 - those projected to experience high

levels of growth

- those with biosolid composting

facilities

 - those with composting facilities

Consumers

- Farmers

 - Gardeners

Regulators

 - Water Quality

 - Air Quality

CASE STUDIES

1. Clean Washington Center 

2001-6th Avenue, #2700, MS:TB-40 

City Seattle WA 98121

Telephone: 206-464-6282 fax 206-464-6902 

E-mail: eduardou@cted.wa.gov

Internet: www.cwc.org

Cedar Grove Composting located in Maple Valley, WA and the Clean Washington Center

experimented with incorporating gypsum drywall into their compost mixture. The drywall was

chipped along with yard debris at a one to one ratio. Dust generation was a problem. The

operators found that grinding yard debris with the gypsum reduced the dust. They also found

that when the loader was kept full the escaping dust was only from the discharge chute.

Another recommendation was to keep the drywall under cover to protect the gypsum from

becoming wet. Cedar Grove composting found that the volume of drywall increases after

chipping or shredding. Since completion of the Clean Washington Center project Cedar Grove

has not continued to compost gypsum drywall because Cedar Grove produces organic

compost.
35 See Appendix 5 for further details about the City of Columbia Missouri Composting Facility.

15

2. City of Columbia City MO

Mark Russell

573-886-0722

During March 1999, the city of Columbia, Missouri began a one year pilot project composting

drywall at the city’s composting facility. The composting project was advertised through

construction waste haulers and construction supply companies in the area. Individuals received

a decreased tipping fee of $16.25, approximately one half the fee charged for placing the waste

in the landfill, if they brought in clean drywall to be composted. The composting facility has

collected and composted approximately 700 tons of gypsum drywall. Quarterly water samples

are taken to test for runoff; the results of these tests have not shown composting of gypsum

drywall to have any negative side effects. The compost is currently being used as landfill

cover. Based on the success of the pilot project the city of Columbia has decided to continue

composting gypsum drywall.35

3. Okaloosa County Florida 

 Internet: http://www.enveng.ufl.edu/home pp/townsend/Research/GypDW/gypmainhtml

Allison Barnes

Graduate Student at 

University of Florida 

352-846-3035

Email: abarnes@ufl.edu 

Gerald Edmondson

Institute of Food and Agricultural

Sciences

(IFAS) Okaloosa County Extension

850-689-850

Okaloosa County Florida received a grant in 1999 for an innovative drywall composting

project. The project is being carried out at Elgin Air force Base by the University of Florida

Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences and the Okaloosa Building Association. This

region of Florida has experienced a boom in new housing construction causing a large increase

in the amount of gypsum drywall waste generated. The project will evaluate the effectiveness

of composting gypsum drywall and yard waste in both windrows and vessels. The compost

being generated will be used by local peanut farmers. Currently, the data from this pilot

project is being compiled by Dr. Timothy Townsend and should be published by December of

2000. To date the project has not experienced any problems with excess dust or hydrogen

sulfide gas. In order to allow for further research the project grant has been extended for

another year. 
36 Please see Appendix 5 for a chemical analysis of gypsum drywall conducted by the University of

Wisconsin.

37 Korcak, Ron. “Scrap Construction Gypsum Utilization” submitted to The Gypsum Association

Washington D.C.: 31 July 1996.

38 Turley 1998.

39 “Gypsum Remedies Winter Salt Kill of Highway Grasses.” Better Roads. June 1975, pages 24-25.

16

4. Michael J. Hill

Thelin Recycling Company

5225 Thelin St

Fort Worth, Texas 76115

Telephone: 817-926-5626

Thelin Recycling composts gypsum drywall with chipped wood and horse manure in

windrows. The drywall is ground with wood, because it is too powdery to be ground alone.

Water is added to the windrows. The composting process takes approximately 18 months.

Thelin’s composting facility has been composting drywall for nearly 4 years. The end product

is sold on the retail market to homeowners, landscapers, and gardeners.

OTHER CONSIDERATIONS/ ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS

1. Organic farming regulations state that no manufactured products can be included in the 

growth or production of organic products. As a result, composters who agree to compost

drywall would be unable to sell the mixture to organic farmers. This would effectively limit

the potential end market for the compost mixture.

2. Composting with biosolids may be an option. However, many of the same concerns apply

to the use of ground drywall on agricultural lands that apply to biosolids.

3. Drywall has less value as a component of compost than if it were added to virgin gypsum and

re-manufactured into drywall.

4. Composting has the potential to handle about ninety percent of new drywall waste 

generated within the state of Vermont. Type X (fiberglass), moisture resistant, and laminated

drywall all have additives which prevent them from being composted.36 However, these forms

of drywall can be visually separated from regular drywall. 

AGRICULTURAL LAND APPLICATION

Since Benjamin Franklin discovered the agricultural benefits of gypsum and coined the term ‘land

plaster,’ raw gypsum (crushed gypsum rock) has been applied to American soils as a liming agent. 

However, controversy has arisen over whether the benefits of ground gypsum drywall application

to agricultural land are significant enough to warrant the use of drywall as a soil amendment. As a

result a number of research projects have been conducted and found:

Ž Application of gypsum drywall alters the presence of available nutrients;

- Increases the level of available calcium and sulfur,37, 38

- Reduces sodium uptake,39
40 Korcak, Ron. "Agricultural Uses of Phosphogypsum, Gypsum, and other Industrial Byproducts"

Agricultural Uses of Municipal, Animal, and Industrial Byproducts USDA Research Rpt 44: January 1998.

41 Korcak, Ron. “Beneficial Reuse of Aggregate Mineral Fines and Scrap New Construction Wallboard” (a

chapter to be published in the Agronomy Society of America's new book) Beltsville, Maryland: 3 August 1998.

42 Sumner Malcom E., William P. Miller, David E. Radcliffe, and William Segers. “Principles of Gypsum

Use as a Soil Amendment.” Georgia 1989. 

43 Turley 1998.

44 Norton, L. Darrell. “Stopping Erosion with Gypsum and PAM.” Agricultural Research. September

1997: 19-20.

45 Sumner et al. 1989.

46 Korcak 1996.

47 Dixon, Robert. “Suitability of Ground Gypsum Board as a Source of Agricultural Gypsum for

Application to Croplands” certified professional agronomist. 1984.

48 Korcak 8 August 1998. 

17

- Increases boron, which at high levels can be toxic to plant life, but at lower levels

is an important nutrient,40

- Excessive application creates an imbalance between the levels of calcium and

magnesium,41

- Application of synthetic (byproduct) gypsum was shown to reduce phosphorous

leaching while not inhibiting a plant’s uptake of phosphorous.

Ž Hardpan (compacted soil) subsoil types can benefit from gypsum application. After

allowing the gypsum to become incorporated into the soil improved rooting has occurred.42

- These improvements are believed to result from gypsum’s ability to loosen clay

soils and allow air and water to circulate.43

- The reduction of soil surface sealing improves water entry potentially reducing

erosion.44

Ž Gypsum has been shown to serve as an effective liming agent. 

- Acid subsoils show a significant yield response to 3-4 tons/acre of gypsum, after

the gypsum has had time to be absorbed by the soil and subsoil. Improved root

proliferation resulted from favorable increases in Ca: Al ratio. 45

- Application of gypsum to blueberries showed an increased root tolerance to Al.46

Ž There are minimal levels of heavy metals present in gypsum drywall.

- Gypsum drywall was suitable for agricultural application at least with regards to

the heavy metals arsenic, cadmium, lead and selenium. 47

- Levels of As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Mo, Zn, and Ni were well below the standards set for

heavy metals by the EPA’s Clean Water Act 503 Regulation of contaminants.48

PROCESS

1. Separate gypsum drywall from other construction debris 

2. Test soil to determine if application of gypsum is appropriate 

3. Test sites to determine application rate. The following are two possible site tests to

determine the appropriate application rate:
49 Korack 8 August 1998.

50 Sumner et al 1989.

51 See Appendix 2 for a cost benefit analysis of collection options. 

52 Lelund, Jim, Vermont Department of Agriculture, Plant Institutions Division. Personal

Communication. 21 June 2000.

53 Vermont Agency of Natural Resources, Air Pollution Control Division 1998. 

18

- Check root growth under conditions of soil with and soil without gypsum added,

about four days of growth for a seedling should determine whether application is

necessary.49

 - Measure the changes in pH and electrical conductivity when soil samples are

mixed with calcium sulfate and calcium chloride solutions. This test requires the

use of a pH and conductivity meter.50

4. Transport drywall to the grinding site (gypsum drywall may also be ground at the

application site)

5. Grind or shred gypsum into a fine powder

6. Apply powder at predetermined rate of application

COLLECTION OPTIONS

• Hauled by the contractor generating the waste to the processor

• Hauled by the processor

• Hauled by the farmer applying the scrap gypsum to his fields

• Hauled by a third party hired to transport the drywall between sites

The drywall waste may also be brought to a central transfer station by a local hauler or the

contractor and then transported from there by the receiving organization.51

COST = Source Separation + Transportation + Storage + Transportation +Processing 

 + Spreading

REGULATIONS

• The Vermont Department of Agriculture would most likely regulate gypsum drywall as a

liming agent. This regulation mandates labeling. In order for drywall to be labeled it would

have to be tested for its capacity to act as neutralizing agent.52

• Water quality regulations would not differ from current regulations for agricultural runoff

and/ or liming agents.

• The Vermont Air Quality Division under Vermont Air Pollution Control Regulations would

regulate dust generated from processing and spreading, depending upon the levels of

particulate matter.53

• If the drywall was stored off the site of generation before processing, the drywall scrap
54 VT Agency of Natural Resources, Waste Management Division 20 December 1998.

55 Please see Appendix 3 for stakeholder contact list.

19

would be considered a waste and regulated under the Solid Waste Management Rules.

54

COMPETING PRODUCTS

Lime and other liming agents

STAKEHOLDERS55

Contractors

- Building contractors

- Drywall contractors

Processors

Home Centers and Companies Renting

Shredding or Chipping Equipment

Haulers

-Waste haulers

-Private trucking companies

Farm Supply Companies/ Distributors

Farmers

-Dairy farmers

-Vegetable farmers

Regulators

-Vermont Department of Health

-Vermont Department of Agriculture

- Water Quality Division 

- Air Quality Division

CASE STUDIES

1. New York State Study

Dr. Edwin H. White and Mark E. Burger

SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry

In 1990, SUNY College of Environmental Science School of Forestry studied the viability of

applying pulverized gypsum wallboard to agricultural lands. Prior to application the drywall

waste was analyzed to determine the level of heavy metals, pH, and plant nutrients; the results

suggested that soil application was viable. One of five treatments was applied to each of the

15 20 x 20 plots of field, each plot had an initial pH of 5.0. The treatments applied were

either:

• no treatment

• agricultural limestone application to increase the pH of the plot to 7

• agricultural gypsum application at a rate of 13 tons per acre

• pulverized construction drywall applied at a rate equivalent to agricultural

limestones application 

• pulverized construction drywall applied at twice the calcium equivalent rate to

agricultural limestone. 

The study found an increase in soil fertility, nutritional status, and yield of grain corn on the

plots receiving a level of ground gypsum wallboard equivalent to the levels of limestone

application. These results suggest that pulverized gypsum wallboard has the potential to be an

effective agricultural soil amendment. 
20

2. Richard Wolkowski (1998)

Department of Soil Science 

University of Wisconsin- Madison

Telephone: 608-263-3913

A three year study at four different sites looked at the effect of ten application levels of ground

gypsum drywall on alfalfa. The study was conducted in Wisconsin where the soils are

generally sulfur deficient and alfalfa requires high levels of sulfur. The results showed an

insignificant increase in crop production. From the results it was determined for loams, silt

loams, and heavier textured soils the application rate of gypsum should be between

2Mg/hectare and 5Mg/hectare. One application every three years should supply the needed

sulfur to the crop. The study’s results also raised three concerns regarding gypsum drywall

application: depression of pH could lead to unnecessary lime application, a depression of Mg

in the soil could lead to Mg deficiency, and low Mg and high Ca forages could lead to animal

health problems. 

3. Florida 

 New River Solid Waste District, Florida

 Internet: http://www.enveng.ufl.edu/home pp/townsend/Research/GypDW/gypmainhtml

Allison Barnes

Graduate Student at 

University of Florida 

352-846-3035

Email: abarnes@ufl.edu 

Mike Sweat

Institute of Food and Agricultural

Sciences

(IFAS) Baker County Extension Director

904-259-3520

The New River Solid Waste Management Association has received a grant for $193,000 from

the Florida Department of Environmental Protection to collect, process, and reuse gypsum

drywall as a soil amendment. Scraps of drywall were collected through a free drop off

program at the local landfill. The material processing was subcontracted to AgriCycle, a large

drywall recycler in Columbus, Ohio; the machine used to process the material was purchased

from Morbark and then modified by AgriCycle. The ground drywall was spread using a drop

spreader and by hand depending upon the application level. They had very little problem with

dust. Data is still being collected, but to date there have been no adverse effects on plant health

or tissue. The one year grant has been extended and the final report is expected in 2001.

4. Bill Wilson

Phoenix Resources, 10313 Morse Lake Rd

Alto, MI 49302

Telephone: 616-891-9110

Phoenix Resources currently provides farmers within Michigan with construction gypsum
56 Please see Appendix 6 for a chemical analysis of gypsum drywall conducted by the University of

Wisconsin.

21

drywall waste. The drywall is not processed and farmers simply add the sheets of drywall to

liquid manure or allow the drywall to become wet. The drywall is then spread on fields for a

liming effect. So, far Phoenix Resources has been fairly successful. 

OTHER CONSIDERATIONS/ ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT

1. Nearly all of the gypsum drywall waste generated within the state of Vermont could be 

diverted through agricultural land application if enough farms were willing to participate and

if the application rate was high enough. 

2. The value of the drywall as a soil amendment is less than if it is recycled into new drywall;

 the value added to the virgin gypsum during manufacturing would be lost if the drywall was

land applied. 

3. In modern agriculture a number of high quality fertilizers and liming agents are on the 

market.

- Farmers will clearly be unwilling to pay for a product which does not provide the same or

better fertilizing and neutralizing ability.

- Farmers would likely be unwilling to jeopardize the quality of their crops by introducing

another variable, namely an unfamiliar soil amendment.

4. Agricultural land application has the potential to handle about ninety percent of the drywall

waste generated within the state of Vermont. Type X (fiberglass), moisture resistant, and

laminated drywall all have additives which prevents them from being composted.56 However,

these forms of drywall can easily be separated from regular drywall.
57See Appendix 2 for a cost benefit analysis of collection options.

58 Vermont Agency of Natural Resources, Air Pollution Control Division 1998.

59 Vermont Agency of Natural Resources, Solid Waste Management Division 1998.

22

APPLICATION TO RECREATIONAL LANDS

Ground gypsum drywall would be applied as a liming agent on recreational lands. For information

on gypsum drywall’s effects on soil please refer back to the agricultural land application overview

(pages 16 and 17).

PROCESS

1. Separate construction gypsum drywall scrap from other construction waste

2. Test soils to determine if application of gypsum drywall is appropriate 

3. Transport gypsum drywall to processing facility (it maybe possible to have mobile

processing facility which could transport the gypsum directly from the generation site to the

application site)

4. Grind/ shred gypsum

5. Transport to application site

6. Apply gypsum to soil at predetermined application rate

TRANSPORTATION OPTIONS

• Hauled by the contractor generating the waste to the processor

• Hauled by the processor

• Hauled by a third party hired to transport the drywall between sites

The drywall waste may also be brought to a central transfer station by a local hauler or the

contractor and then transported from there by the receiving organization.57

COST = Source Separation + Transportation + Storage + Processing + Spreading

REGULATIONS

10. Water quality regulations would be the same as for other liming agents approved for land

application. 

11. Depending upon the levels of dust generated during processing and spreading of the

drywall, air quality regulations might apply.58

12. The drywall would be regulated by the Solid Waste Management Division only if the

drywall is stored off the site of generation before it is processed.

59
60 Please see Appendix 3 for stakeholder contact list.

61 Korcak 1996.

23

COMPETING PRODUCTS

Lime and other liming agents

STAKEHOLDERS60

Drywall Contractors

Building Contractors

Haulers

Gypsum Drywall Processors (GP- Gypsum,

Newington, NH)

Garden Supply and Home Centers

Solid Waste Districts

Golf Courses, Parks, etc.

Regulators

-Water Quality Division

CASE STUDIES

1. Ron Korcak

United States Department of Agriculture 

Agricultural Research Service 

Beltsville Area Director’s Office

Application of drywall has produced a beneficial effect on turf grass growth where Ca or S

were the limiting nutrients. No evidence of trace leaching that could cause ground water

contaminations were observed.

61

OTHER CONSIDERATIONS/ ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS

1. In today’s market there are a number of effective products for neutralizing soil pH and 

increasing levels of calcium. Thus it is highly unlikely that recreational areas would pay the

same amount for a product which does not provide all the nutrients necessary to improve soil

quality.

2. The value of the drywall would be less than if it had been turned into new drywall.

3. Appearance of the greens at both recreational areas and golf corses is an important factor. 

The visibility of paper flecks and light color of the drywall on the turf could prevent the

application of pulverized drywall on recreational areas and golf courses. 

4. Unlike with agricultural land application, pulverized gypsum drywall application to 

recreational lands faces fewer concerns and regulations because the ground drywall is not

being applied to crops being grown for human or livestock consumption. 

5. Composting has the potential to handle about ninety percent of the drywall waste generated 
62 Please see Appendix 6 for a chemical analysis of gypsum drywall conducted by the University of

Wisconsin.

63 Turley 1998.

64 Please see appendix 7 for further details about the economics of onsite processing.

65 Perry, Jean. “From Trash to Treasure: Recycling Drywall as a Soil Amendment and Conditioner.”

BackHome Magazine (Hendersonville, NC), 46 (May/June 2000).

66 Vermont Agency of Natural Resources, Air Pollution Control Division 1998.

24

Figure 3. Spreading

ground drywall.

Figure 2. Onsite

grinding of drywall

within the state of Vermont. Type X (fiberglass), moisture resistant, and laminated drywall all

have additives which prevents them from being composted.62 However, these forms of drywall

can easily be visually separated from regular drywall.

ONSITE LAND APPLICATION

At new home construction sites ground gypsum drywall can be applied to the land surrounding the

building site. Waste gypsum board needs to be pulverized in order to

allow the drywall’s absorption into the soil. Pieces smaller than 1⁄2 inch

sq. can generally be applied to the soil. The shredded gypsum drywall

should be spread evenly over the soil and must be applied in areas with

adequate drainage and aeration, so that no anaerobic reaction occurs.63

Onsite application requires a mobile processing machine, as well as

a mechanism to spread the shredded drywall.

PROCESS

1. Determine the appropriate application rate

2. Keep gypsum drywall scrap separate from other 

construction waste materials

3. Grind or shred the gypsum drywall with a portable 

shredder or chipper64 

 - Wood shredders or chippers rented at your 

local garden center work well (these machines

cost about $50 a day to rent and several hundred 

dollars to buy.)

4. Spread gypsum around site at predetermined application rate Photographs from Backyard Magazine65 

 

TRANSPORTATION OPTIONS 

Drywall does not need to be transported off site. 

COST = Source Separation + Processing + Spreading

REGULATIONS

Air quality regulations would come into effect only if the level of dust generated by processing

causes ambient air quality levels of particulate matter to be exceeded.66
67 Please see Appendix 3 for stakeholder contact information.

68 Korcak August 1998.

25

COMPETING PRODUCTS

Not applicable

STAKEHOLDERS67

Drywall Contractors 

Building Contractors

Home Owners

Mobile drywall facility operators/ owners

Solid Waste Districts

Regulators

 - Water Quality Division

 - Air Quality

Home Centers 

CASE STUDIES

1. According to Peter Yost of Environmental Building News, Georgia’s Habitat for Humanity 

acquired a permit from the Solid Waste Management Program to pulverize the material and

apply it onsite. They diverted 13.2 tons of scrap wallboard from the landfill.68

2. South Carolina 

Department of Health and Environmental Control

Richard Chesley

Telephone: 803-896-4209

Email: cheslerl@columb34.dhec.state.sc.us

South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control developed a pilot project

with Mungo Homes to determine the effectiveness of gypsum drywall application at the

construction site. The construction sites were tested to determine the appropriate application

level, the drywall was then separated, ground, and applied by Mungo Home’s crew. The

project while sponsored by the state was highly successful. The responses from homeowners

and contractors was very positive. However, construction site application of gypsum drywall

has been slow to catch on with home builders.
26

OTHER CONSIDERATIONS/ ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS

1. Excess energy is not spent collecting and transporting the drywall. The only additional 

energy needed for the drywall to be reused in this case is that need to grind and then apply 

the drywall. 

2. The drywall waste maybe processed and applied to the site by the homeowner. Thus 

effectively decreasing the disposal cost. However, one consequence of onsite application of

drywall may be the increased tendency to dispose of contaminated wastes (painted

drywall, pressure treated wood, etc) onsite which should be disposed of in other manners. 

3. This project may be difficult to sustain after the grant money has run out because the 

economic incentive may not be significant enough to motivate the homeowner to take initiative

to apply the drywall on site. 

ATHLETIC FIELD MARKER

Currently, raw gypsum is a component of athletic field marker. However, gypsum wallboard may

be ground to a fine white powder and applied instead of lime or used as a component of a field

marking product. 

The primary challenge with turning gypsum drywall into athletic field marker is the economic

feasibility of such an operation. Transportation costs are quite high and the monetary value of the

resulting field marker is quite low. One option which does seem quite feasible would be to have a

cooperative transportable chipper or shredder that could be brought to school construction sites.

The drywall construction scraps could be ground and placed in bags to be mixed with standard

field marker or alone as a field marker, essentially this would be a form of onsite application.

PROCESS

1. Separate construction drywall scraps from other forms of C&D waste

2. Transport to place of processing or process on site

3. Grind into a fine powder

4. Transport to schools and recreational areas

5. Apply to fields as a line marker in the same manner lime would be applied

TRANSPORTATION OPTIONS

• Could be processed on site making transportation unnecessary

• Hauled by the contractor generating the waste to the processor

• Hauled by the processor

• Hauled by a third party hired to transport the drywall between sites

The drywall waste may also be brought to a central transfer station by a local hauler or the
69 See Appendix 2 for a cost benefit analysis of collection options.

70 Vermont Agency of Natural Resources, Solid Waste Management Division 1998.

71 Please see Appendix 3 for stakeholder contact list.

72 Reindl, John. Bibliography on Gypsum Drywall. Dane County Dept of Public Works: Madison,

Wisconsin, November 1999.

27

contractor and then transported from there by the receiving organization.69

COST = Source Separation + Processing + Storage 

REGULATIONS

None, unless the material is stored off the site of generation in which case the material comes

under regulation as solid waste and special rules for storage apply. 70

COMPETING PRODUCTS

Athletic field markers: paints, lime, etc. 

STAKEHOLDERS71

Drywall Contractors

Building Contractors

School Athletic Departments

School Districts

Solid Waste Districts

Regulators

Suppliers of Athletic Field Markers

Onsite Drywall Processors

CASE STUDIES

No known field studies have been conducted to test the effectiveness of ground gypsum drywall as

an athletic field marker. However, John Reindl of the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources

cites Richard Anthony of San Diego, California as stating “gypsum is used to mark playing fields

on grass and can be used for football, soccer etc. It is better than herbicide or burning the field

with gasoline.”72

OTHER CONSIDERATIONS/ ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS

1. Drywall is better for the grass and has fewer chemicals than other forms of athletic field

markers. 

2. This use of drywall actually turns drywall scraps that were once considered a waste for schools

and others into a valuable product they can put to use onsite without having to transport it long

distances. 
73 Wyatt, C.L. and T.N. Goodman. “Research Note: The Utilization of Recycled Sheetrock (refined

gypsum) as a Litter for Broiler Chickens.” Poultry Science 71(1992): 1572-1576.

74 Washington State Department of Ecology www.wa.gov/ecology/swfa/gypsum.html

75 Turley 1998.

76 Better Roads June 1975.

28

3. The onsite processing of drywall at schools could serve as a demonstration for local builders

and homeowners. 

Other (low priority options for Vermont)

ANIMAL/ LIVESTOCK BEDDING

Ground gypsum drywall can be used alone or in combination with wood shavings or paper as

animal bedding.73 Incorporating ground gypsum drywall in animal and livestock bedding has

shown a decrease in feet problems in cows and chickens, as well as increases udder health for

cows. However, the resulting ground gypsum manure mix should not be stored in manure tanks

because of probable anaerobic reactions which produces hydrogen sulfide gases. This clearly

makes storage of gypsum drywall animal bedding a problem. 74

CEMENT PRODUCTION

Ten percent of all new cement is made up of gypsum; gypsum is used to control the set time.

Currently, recycled gypsum can not be used as a cement additive because of the high paper

content. However, there seems to be a general consensus that if the paper content were below one

percent, recycled gypsum could successfully be included. 

FACILITATE SODIUM LEACHING

Damage caused to soil next to roadsides by winter salt can be reduced by adding gypsum. 75 The

sodium reacts with the sulfur facilitating the leaching of the salt from the soils. For gypsum drywall

to be effective in removing salt from soils the soils must be well drained.

CASE STUDIES

1. Maine Department of Transportation

A three year study was conducted to determine the effectiveness of using finely ground gypsum

to alleviate the effects of road salt on roadside vegetation. Gypsum was found to be effective;

the sodium in the soil is replaced by the calcium from the gypsum and the sodium sulfate

leaches out of the soil.76

FLEA POWDER

No information currently available on this option.

GREASE ABSORBENT
77 Mushroom Council. “How They Grow: The Six Steps to Mushroom Farming” 

http://www.mushroomcouncil.com/grow/sixsteps.html Viewed: 6 June 2000.

78 Washington State Department of Ecology www.wa.gov/ecology/swfa/gypsum.html

29

For oil and other small spills gypsum is a better absorbent than typical clay absorbents. However,

the white color of gypsum is not preferred by facilities that do not clean up after spills because the

absorbent is highly visible. This option would be most feasible at construction sites where gypsum

drywall is generated and a potential for spills exists, because secondary gypsum is more valuable

as an agricultural amendment and gypsum is expensive to transport. 

CASE STUDIES

2. Bill Wilson

Phoenix Resources, 10313 Morse Lake Rd

Alto, MI 49302

Telephone: 616-891-9110

Bill Wilson has helped to set up several facilities in Rhode Island and Long Island, NY for

processing gypsum into grease and spill absorbent. Bill Wilson owns a gypsum drywall

processing company in MI. The company until recently processed gypsum drywall as a grease

absorbent and now sells gypsum drywall to farms as an agricultural soil amendment.

MUSHROOM GROWING

Mushroom growers commonly add raw gypsum to their compost to reduce the greasiness of the

mixture. Gypsum has been found to increase clumping of specific chemicals within the compost.

Gypsum is also believed to aid the circulation of air within the compost because of the manner in

which it adheres to the straw within the mixture.77

MINE RECLAMATION

No information is currently available on this option. 

ODOR REDUCTION

Gypsum’s chemical properties foster the absorption of odors. Washington state has conducted

some studies which have produced mixed results.78 The greatest obstacle when using gypsum as a

odor reducing agent is controlling any decomposition which may occur. 

WATER TREATMENT

Gypsum drywall can help to settle turbid water. When gypsum is added to muddy ponds the

suspended clay particles precipitate out and settle to the bottom. 

Processing Machinery

Andela Tool & machine Inc

493 State Route 28

Richfield Springs, New York 13439

Telephone:315-858-0055 Fax: 315-858-2669

The Andela system is completely enclosed.

The machine consists of a conveyor belt in
30

feed, an impact separator, an intermediate

conveyor belt, and a trommel screen. The

system produces fine 1/8" ground gypsum to

coarse 1⁄2"gypsum and paper. The system can

processes 10 tons of material an hour. They

have been able to reduce the paper content of

the gypsum to below 5%. 

Concet Products Corporation

Paoli Corporate Center

16 Industrial Blvd, Suite 110

Paoli, Pennsylvania 19301

610-722-0830

This company produces both a machine to shred

gypsum drywall and a mobile job site

processing machine.

GP Research Ltd

Jim Dooley, Federal Way Office

1911 SW Campus Drive #545

Federal Way, Washington 98023-6641

253-838-3496

GP Research has designed an in plant

delaminator. 

Gyp-Pack Container Inc.

P.O. Box 1415-1-0099

Tonawanda, New York 14150

Telephone: (716) 694-1900

Gyp-Pack Container Inc builds trucks for

gypsum drywall recycling. The trucks require

three people to operate properly. The trucks

work as follows: the drywall material is

collected from the construction site and

brought

to the truck, the paper is separated from the

gypsum, the gypsum is then ground into a

powder and placed in square closed

containers

for transport.

New West Gypsum Inc

Bryan Harker, 1321 54th Ave

Fife, Washington 

206-922-9343

New West Gypsum Inc produces a machine

designed for use within a gypsum drywall

waste processing facility.

Premier Gear & Machine Works 

1700 N.W. Thurman 

Portland, Oregon 97209

Telephone: 503-227-3514

Premier Gear & Machine Works sells a

machine designed for use within a gypsum

drywall waste processing facility.

Recycling Dimensions

2600 W. Sahara Ave #116-293

Las Vegas, Nevada 89102

Telephone: 1-800-884-8814

Recycling Dimensions’ machine is mobile and

meant to be used on site. 

Further information on processing machine companies is available in Resource Recyclers “Buyers

Guide Section” of the July 2000 issue. 
31

Resources

Literature

Clean Washington Center. Construction, Demolition & Land clearing Market Assessment:

Gypsum Wallboard (#CLD-95-1). Seattle Washington: June 1999.

As part of an effort to develop markets for recycled construction, demolition and land

clearing (CDL) materials, the CWC conducted a comprehensive assessment of markets for

recycled CDL materials in Washington State. The fact sheet includes potential markets but

does not include results and conclusions. 

Clean Washington Center’s Recycling Technology Assistance Partnership (ReTAP). Evaluation of

the Potential for Composting Wallboard Scraps prepared by E&A Environmental

Consultants Inc. Seattle Washington: 25 June 1997.

The report clearly outlines the challenges and opportunities of composting gypsum drywall.

The report provides temperature, oxygen, and moisture level data for a composting mixture

which included drywall. The report concludes that gypsum drywall can be successfully

composted without hindering the end mixtures quality.

Cosper, Stephan, et al. Construction and Demolition Waste: Generation, Regulation, Practices,

and Policies. Chicago Illinois: Office of Solid Waste Management, School of Public

Health, The University of Illinois, 1993.

Dixon, Robert. “Suitability of Ground Gypsum Board as a Source of Agricultural Gypsum for

Application to Croplands” Certified Professional Agronomist. 1984.

Gypsum Association. Treatment and Disposal of Gypsum Board Waste (Industry Technical

Paper) Washington D.C.: January 1991. 

This paper provides an overview of the problems associated with placing gypsum

wallboard in landfills. It also briefly reviews the chemical reactions which occur to

produce the noxious H2S gas. 

 “Gypsum Remedies Winter Salt Kill of Highway Grasses.” Better Roads. June 1975, pages 24-

25.

This article describes several research projects testing gypsum's ability to reduce salt

damage to roadside vegetation. The projects presented appeared to have fairly positive

results. 

 Korcak, Ron. "Agricultural Uses of Phosphogypsum, Gypsum, and other Industrial Byproducts"

Agricultural Uses of Municipal, Animal, and Industrial Byproducts USDA Research Rpt

44: January 1998.

Korcak, Ron. “Beneficial Reuse of Aggregate Mineral Fines and Scrap New Construction
32

Wallboard” (a chapter to be published in the Agronomy Society of America's new book)

Beltsville, Maryland: 3 August 1998.

This paper provides a synopsis of the research that has been conducted to date on scrap

new construction wallboard use in agriculture. The paper covers everything from

composting to animal bedding to direct land application. The literature cited section is

complete resource in itself. It should also be noted that to date this paper has not been

published, however, it is to be published shortly as a chapter in a book put out by the

Agronomy Society of America. 

Korcak, Ron. “Scrap Construction Gypsum Utilization” submitted to The Gypsum Association

Washington D.C.: 31 July 1996.

The report is composed of two parts a literature synthesis and experimental results. The

literature synthesis reviews reprocessing, composting, moisture control, and agricultural

uses of gypsum drywall. While the experimental results discuss the affects of gypsum

application on agricultural products. Korcak found that ground construction waste gypsum

had a positive impact on the Ca levels of turf and found that ground gypsum had no

significant impact on tomato growth or fruit. 

National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) Research Center. “On-Site Grinding of

Residential Construction Debris:The Indiana Grinder Pilot.” Upper Marlboro, MD:

February 1999.

New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, Division of Solid & Hazardous

Materials. Management and Disposal Practices for Gypsum Wallboard Waste in the

United States. Albany, New York: July 1997.

This is a national survey on the management and disposal practices for gypsum wallboard

waste. Several states, in addition to New York State, have experienced hydrogen sulfide

gas at noticeable levels in landfills that accept Gypsum wallboard waste. The possible

causes given for the generation of H2S gas in most cases are those that support the

anaerobic decomposition of gypsum (calcium sulfate). The possible causes were excessive

amounts of moisture, organics mixed with gypsum, and large volumes of disposed gypsum.

Niles, John O. Letter to Molley Farrell and Any Harper of Intervale Compost Project. 25

September 1995.

The letter discusses the possibility of creating a pilot project to study the feasibility of

composting gypsum drywall in cooperation with the Intervale Compost Project. However,

the pilot project was never implemented. 

North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Division of Pollution

Prevention and Environmental Assistance. Markets Assessment: Construction and

Demolition Commodity Profile. Raleigh, North Carolina: 1998.

This report provides an overview of the percent composition of residential and
33

commercial construction and demolition waste. The report also details the current disposal

opportunities for each form of C&D waste generated within NC. 

Norton, L. Darrell. “Stopping Erosion with Gypsum and PAM.” Agricultural Research.

September 1997: 19-20.

This article briefly describes the research currently evaluating gypsum’s potential to stop

erosion. 

Oregon Solid Waste Department. 1993/94 Gypsum Market Profile. Portland, Oregon: August

1994.

This article provides an overview of gypsum recovery in Oregon. Recovery is expected to

increase steadily over the next several years. Current viable secondary use markets are in

new wallboard and as a soil amendment.

Perry, Jean. “From Trash to Treasure: Recycling Drywall as a Soil Amendment and Conditioner.”

BackHome Magazine (Hendersonville, NC), 46 (May/June 2000). backhome@ioa.com.

This article describes how onsite application of gypsum drywall can be done by the

homeowner. The article provides tips for both grinding and spreading the drywall. 

Reindl, John. Bibliography on Gypsum Drywall. Dane County Dept of Public Works: Madison,

Wisconsin, November 1999.

This bibliography contains 191 references to articles, publications, documents and

communications pertaining to gypsum wallboard information.

Ritchey, K.C., C.M. Feldhake, R.B. Clark, M.A. Elrashidi, V.C. Baligar, W.L. Stout, A.N.

Sharpley, L.D. Norton, and R.F. Korcak. "Recent Developments in Agricultural Uses of

Gypsum."Fifth International Conference on FGD and Other Synthetic Gypsum. ORTECH

Corp, Mosossaiga, Ontario, Canada: 14 May 1997.

Robb, Casey. Drywall Recycling compiled for the California Integrated Waste Management

Board. Revised December 1997.

This fact sheet is an overview of recycling wallboard into new products. It answers

common questions about wallboard recycling. Its purpose is to help create business

opportunities, save money for builders, contractors, ‘do-it-yourselfers’, and other

purchasers of drywall, as well as to help local governments meet their goal of reducing

disposal by 50% by the year 2000.

Sumner, Malcom E., William P. Miller, David E. Radcliffe, and William Segers. “Principles of

Gypsum Use as a Soil Amendment.” Georgia 1989. 

The paper provides research on three aspects of gypsum application: absorption, acidic

soil, and hardpan soils. The results show that industrial gypsum dissolves most quickly and

that both crops planted in acidic and hardpan soils can benefit from gypsum application. 
34

Turley, William. “What’s Happening in Gypsum Recycling” C&D Recycling January/ February

1998.

University of Wisconsin-Extension Solid and Plant Analysis Lab. Analysis completed on June 1,

1994, June 7, 1994 and June 8, 1994.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Municipal and Industrial Solid Waste Division

Office of Solid Waste. CHARACTERIZATION OF BUILDING-RELATED

CONSTRUCTION AND DEMOLITION DEBRIS IN THE UNITED STATES (Report No.

EPA530-R-98-010) prepared by Franklin Associates under subcontract to TechLaw, Inc.

Prairie Village, KS: June 1998.

This report provides data on the composition of construction and demolition waste within

the United States. The report briefly discusses drywall recycling options and drywalls the

composition of the C&D waste stream. The report provides the methodology used for

determining the proportion of drywall waste within the C&D waste stream. 

Vermont Agency of Natural Resources, Solid Waste Management Division. Recycling

Construction and Demolition Waste in Vermont prepared by C.T. Donovan Associates

Inc. Burlington, Vermont: December 1990. 

Vermont Agency of Natural Resources, Solid Waste Management Division. “Solid Waste

Management Rules”rule number 98P052: effective 20 December 1998.

White, Edwin and Mark Burger. “Available Gypsum: Construction Drywall As a Soil

Amendment.” BioCycle July 1993: 70-71. 

This article provides a brief overview of the 1990 study conducted in Tully, New York

which found that pulverized drywall application supplies calcium to soil and may serve as

a suitable soil amendment.

Wolkowski, Richard. “Demonstration of Land Application of Crushed Gypsum Wallboard waste

for Alfalfa. A final Report Prepared for the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources

Waste Reduction and Recycling Grant Program and Dane County Department of Public

Works.” Wisconsin: 12 August 1998.

The paper identifies some concerns with gypsum application to alfalfa fields and

concluded that modest application rates do not negatively impact crop growth or quality. 

Wyatt, C.L. and T.N. Goodman. “Research Note: The Utilization of Recycled Sheetrock (refined

gypsum) as a Litter for Broiler Chickens.” Poultry Science 71(1992): 1572-1576.

Web sites

California Integrated Waste Management Board. “Construction and Demolition Debris Recycling
35

Program” http://www.ciwmb.ca.gov/ConDemo/ Viewed: 6 June 2000.

This page lists individuals to contact within the California Integrated Waste Management

Board regarding construction and demolition waste recycling. The page also provides a

copy of California’s Meeting the 50 Percent Challenge: Recycling Market Development

Strategies Through the Year 2000. 

Clean Washington Center. “Construction: Fact sheets and Reports.”

www.cwc.org/briefs/construction Viewed: 6 June 2000. 

This page provides copies of Evaluation of the Potential for Composting Gypsum

Wallboard Scraps both in the form of a fact sheet and a report. The page also contains

information on recycling other forms of construction and demolition waste.

Gypsum Association. www.gypsum.org Viewed: 6 June 2000.

The Gypsum Association is a not-for-profit trade association established in 1930. The

Gypsum Association represents manufacturers of gypsum board in the U.S. and Canada and

provides technical information and assistance to the construction industry and code

enforcement community regarding gypsum board.

Mushroom Council. “How They Grow: The Six Steps to Mushroom Farming” 

http://www.mushroomcouncil.com/grow/sixsteps.html Viewed: 6 June 2000.

This web page describes in detail the process involved in growing mushrooms. It also

briefly describes the industry’s use of raw gypsum. 

National Association of Home Builders. “Residential Construction Waste: From Disposal to

Management.”http://www.nahbrc.org Viewed 6 June 2000. 

This page provides an overview of some available options for handling construction and

demolition waste disposal. The page discusses some options available for gypsum

wallboard. 
36

New West Gypsum. www.nwgypsum.com Viewed: 8 June 2000.

This page advertizes the New West Gypsum’s Recycling’s services. Through pioneering

several proprietary technologies New West Gypsum has become a leader in recycling and

reprocessing gypsum. This page discusses some aspects of the New West Gypsum

operation and provides an overview of the gypsum drywall reprocessing industry. 

North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources. “Information Sectors: Waste

Reduction in Construction and Demolition.” http://wrrc.p2pays.org/construct.htm Viewed:

8 June 2000.

This page provides a list of resources containing information on construction and

demolition waste both within North Carolina and within the United States. 

South Carolina Department of Environmental Health and Control. “Environmental Quality Control

General Information: List of Publications.” http://www.state.sc.us/dhec/eqc/lwm/ Viewed:

8 June 2000.

This site lists South Carolina state publications regarding construction and demolition

waste as well as other environmental concerns. 

United States Census Bureau. “New Privately Owned Housing Units Authorized Unadjusted Units

for Regions, Divisions, and States Annual 1999” Updated: 24 May 2000

http://www.census.gov/const/C40/Table2/tb2u1999.txt Viewed: 15 June 2000.

University of Florida. “Research on the Management of Waste Gypsum Drywall Management

Projects.”http://www.ees.ufl.edu/homepp/townsend/Research/GypDW/Recycle/gypsum_r

ecycle_main.html Viewed: 6 June 2000.

This page contains information on current research and pilot projects being conducted

within Florida. The page also contains a number of links to other sources of information on

gypsum and gypsum drywall. 

Washington State Department of Ecology. “Gypsum Wallboard Waste (Publication # 96-1556-

SWFS)” www.wa.gov/ecology/swfa/gypsum.html Viewed: 6 June 2000. 

This page provides an overview of some of the concerns associated with traditional

methods of gypsum wallboard disposal. The page also discusses some of the alternative

methods of disposal, as well as the regulations governing these alternative forms of gypsum

drywall disposal. 
37

Contacts

Columbia City, MO Municipal Composting

Facility

Mark Russell

Telephone: 573-886-0722

Georgia Pacific Gypsum 

122 Old Dover Road

Newington, New Hampshire

Mary Anne 

Telephone: 603-433-8000

Clean Washington Center 

2001-6th Avenue, #2700, MS:TB-40 

Seattle WA 98121

Telephone: 206-464-6282 

Fax: 206-464-6902 

Email: eduardou@cted.wa.gov

Ron Korcak

United States Department of Agriculture 

Agricultural Research Service 

Beltsville Area Director’s Office

Building 003, Rm223, BARC-West

Betlsville, MD 20705

Telephone: 301-504-5193 

Fax: 301-504-5863

Email: KorcakR@BA.ARS.USDA.gov

John Reindl

Recycling Manager

Dane County Department of Public Works 

1919 Expo way

Madison WI 53713

Telephone: 608-267-8815

Email: Reindl@co.dane.wi.us

South Carolina Bureau of Land and Waste

Management

Richard Chesley

2600 Bull Street

Columbia, SC 29201

Telephone: 803-896-4209

California Integrated Waste Management

Board

Mark Fong

8800 Cal Center Drive

Sacramento, CA 95826-3268

Telephone: 916-255-2495

Email: mfong@ciwmb.ca.gov

Allison Barnes

Graduate Student at the University of

Florida

352-846-3035

Email: abarnes@ufl.edu
79 Shore, Sally. “Homebuilders Recycling Initiative Final Report.” Woodbin Il: 19 November 1997.

80 Vermont Agency of Natural Resources, Solid Waste Management Division 1998.

81

 Robb, Casey December 1997.

38

Appendices

APPENDIX 1. Calculations for the Generation of Gypsum Drywall within Vermont:

13.4% (Gypsum drywall’s average percent composition of C&D waste)79

56338 tons (The State of Vermont’s Solid Waste Management Plan 1999 Revision’s

estimated level of solid waste generated within the State)80

64% (average estimated percent construction drywall accounts for in drywall waste)81

13.4% x 56338 = 7549 tons of gypsum drywall waste

64% x 7549 = 4832 tons of construction gypsum drywall waste

APPENDIX 2. Transportation Options Considerations:

• Hauled by the contractor generating the waste

- The contractor generating the waste may be willing to haul the waste if an

economic incentive exists; ie. the avoidance of high tipping fees for waste

disposal, payment for the scrap, etc.

- The contractor incentive to haul recyclable or reusable drywall scrap

maybe increased by an opportunity for back hauling. In other words if the

contractors can pick up new drywall while at the same time and place

dropping off gypsum drywall waste.

- The contractor’s willingness to haul waste may decrease if the location

he has to haul the material to changes constantly (hauling directly to site)

or has inconvenient hours. 

• Hauled by the party accepting the discarded drywall waste

- The party accepting the discarded drywall waste maybe willing to haul

the waste if the material they are receiving is regularly to their

specifications, the reusable drywall is in high demand, or if they have

developed the infrastructure necessary to support collection of drywall.

- The party accepting the discarded drywall waste maybe willing to haul

the waste if they can pick the waste up from a transfer station.

• Hauled by a third party hired to transport the drywall between sites

- The third party’s fee must be such that neither of the two parties can haul

the material for a lower cost. The third party’s fee must also be such that it

is not greater than the cost of general waste disposal. 

• The drywall waste may also be brought to a central transfer station by a local
39

hauler or the contractor and then transported from there by the receiving

organization. This option provides the opportunity for a variety of secondary uses.

APPENDIX 3. Stakeholder Contact List

Drywall contractors

Don-Vac Inc

7 Blair Park, Williston 05495

802-878-5006

East Shore Drywall Inc.

16 Gregory Dr.

S. Burlington 05403

802-860-5040

Poulin Construction Inc

102 Kimball, S. Burlington 05403

802-864-6922

Towne Drywall Inc

31 Hillside, Essex 05452 

802-879-3261

Best Drywall

Rutland 05701

802-773-1683

Green Mnt Drywall Co Inc

2 Depot, Wallingford 05773

802- 446-2491

Drywall Supply Companies

Trowel Trades Supply Co. Inc

71

Troy Ave Colchester 05446

802-655-3166

Composting Facilities

Champlain Valley Compost Co,

Charlotte 05445

802-425-5556

The Intervale

282 Intervale Rd

 Burlington 05401

802-660-4949

Vermont Natural Ag Products

559 Lower Foote Street

Middlebury, Vermont 05753

1-800-639-4511

APPENDIX 4. The Economics of Recycling Gypsum Drywall at Smugglers’ Notch Resort.

Y

e

a

r

Tonnage Haulage Capital Tipping

Fees**

Recycling

Cost Per

Ton

Landfill

Cost Per

Ton***

Total

Savings 

Savings

Per Ton

1

9

9

8

5.76 $575.00 $0.00 $80.00 $113.72 $124.00 $59.24 $10.28

1

9

9

9

9.31 $524.00 $547.96* $80.00 $123.73 $124.00 $2.48 $0.27

$0.00 $80.00 $64.88 $124.00 $550.44 59.12

*One time capital expenditure on a cover for a waterproof, removable roll-off cover for the gypsum drywall

recycling box. **The tipping fees paid by Smugglers’ Notch Resort are a flat fee for a 30 to 40 ft box of drywall

waste. *** The landfill fee paid by Smugglers’ Notch Resort is also a flat fee. The fee covers the costs of hauling,

disposal, and box rental. 

APPENDIX 5. Personal Correspondence with Mark Russell Regarding the Columbia Missouri 
40

Gypsum Drywall Composting Pilot Project and Facility. 

Mark Russell

Personal communication on June 5, 2000

537-886-0772

He was hesitant at first because of control issues. He was afraid of a contaminated waste stream.

Columbia is a city located in the central part of Missouri with a population of approximately

80,000 people and a foot print of about 120,000 people. The composting facility is 8 acres of

windrows and 2 acres of holding basins. The composted waste is composed of mostly yard waste

and wood. The gypsum’s pH of 7 acts as a buffering agent for the acidic nature of the waste

stream. The increase in nutrients provided by adding gypsum drywall is not large enough to

create the odor problems which were initially a concern to many. 

The waste stream is handled at the scales. For landfill materials the fee is $32 per ton will for

clean construction drywall and yard waste the fee is reduced by half to $16.25 per ton. The

facility processes 130,000 tons annually generally about 3,000 tons of yard waste and 700 tons of

drywall. The resulting compost is used as a soil amendment at the landfill. Dust from the grinding

of the gypsum is a big irritant. The gypsum drywall is dropped on a paved pad along with yard

waste after being weighed. The yard waste and gypsum are ground together either in a tub or

horizontal grinder. The gypsum is not covered so the moisture level depends on climatic events.

Storm water basins all controlled and water quality data to back up the fact that there has been

little chemical change in the composition of the water runoff. 

Outfall and sampling national pollution discharge.

He was also concerned that people would come after the facility under part 70 of the clean air

act, but so far that has not occurred. He was also concerned with fugitive emissions. However,

Missouri law states that if the fugitive emissions exist once the pollution has cross the property’s

boundary, so the facility has not had any problems with fugitive emissions. 

To deal with these concerns consider how closely locate you are to the nearest neighbors. He

suggests that several hundred yards should be enough to eliminate much of the concern. Also,

check into the number of odor complaints that have been filed. A high number of odor complaints

would suggest that individuals will likely also have a low tolerance for visible dust. 
82 UW-Extension Solid and Plant Analysis Lab. Analysis completed on June 1, 1994, June 7, 1994 and

June 8, 1994.

83 Korcak 8 August 1998.

41

APPENDIX 6. Drywall Chemical Composition82

These samples included both regular drywall and Type X drywall. 

Material Composition (ppm) Material Composition (ppm)

P <21.7 Cd 3.08

K <62.1 Cr 11.61

Ca 160,360 Co 9.17

Mg 8,475 Mo 2.65

S 133,821 Ni 20.10

Zn 11.49, 16.63 Li <2.49

B 42.45 As <27.9

Mn 44.5, 45.64 Pb 15.60

Fe 857.9, 941.8 Se <19.0

Cu 7.06, 11.62 N 280.0

Al 294.6 Cl 193.5

Na <61.2

Type X: The form of drywall containing fiber glass. The drywall is designed to meet one hour

fire resistance standards. 

Predecorated: This form of drywall has a vinyl face.

Moisture Resistant: This form of drywall has an emulsifier treated facing on one side and is

generally used in the construction of bathrooms.83
84 NAHB Research Center. “On-Site Grinding of Residential Construction Debris:

The Indiana Grinder Pilot.” Upper Marlboro, MD: February 1999.

42

APPENDIX 7. Cost Comparison of Services: With Pilot Project Conditions84

Service Type Annual Costs ($) Maximum

# of houses

served(per

year)

Cost for

service(per

Machine house) Labor Tip

Fees 

Total 

Grinding for

production builders

only

39,719 121,466 60,000 221,185 333 $ 664

Grinding for

production

and custom builders

38,662 112,430 45,000 196,092 250 $ 784

Landfilling with

Clean-Up service

18,400 84,120 132,000 234,520 183 $ 1,282

Landfilling with

Roll-off trucks 

51,125 40,000 540,000 631,125 750 $ 841