When it comes to disposing of debris from a land clearing project, there are a number of regulations that must be followed. Before any demolition or renovation project begins, federal regulations require the identification of any material that contains asbestos (ACM) or other hazardous materials in the structure. A person trained in recognizing potentially hazardous materials must conduct and record a study of the building, the structure and any materials contained. Controlled burning of wood debris and clean wood from construction, demolition, or land clearing projects is allowed in most areas of Alaska.
However, all burning must be done in accordance with the requirements of the Forestry Division of the Department of Natural Resources (ADNR) or the Office of Land Management (BLM), the ADEC Air Quality Division, and any local regulations. Woody debris is defined as branches, weeds, stumps or foliage of trees that have been cut or cleaned from the ground; clean wood is defined as dimensional wood that has not been treated with paint, glue or preservative. It is important to note that these materials must be disposed of properly in order to prevent environmental damage. In addition to following regulations for disposal, there are also ways to reduce sources and reuse existing materials.
You can check with material recyclers for other non-waste options for certain materials. By practicing reducing sources, recovering, recycling and reusing existing materials, and buying and using sustainable products, you can help prevent C&D materials from being discarded.
