Skip to main content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Here’s how you know

Dot gov

Official websites use .gov
A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.

HTTPS

Secure .gov websites use HTTPS
A lock (LockA locked padlock) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

    • Environmental Topics
    • Air
    • Bed Bugs
    • Chemicals and Toxics
    • Climate Change
    • Emergency Response
    • Environmental Information by Location
    • Environmental Justice
    • Greener Living
    • Health
    • Land, Waste, and Cleanup
    • Lead
    • Mold
    • Pesticides
    • Radon
    • Science Topics
    • Water Topics
    • A-Z Topic Index
    • Laws & Regulations
    • By Business Sector
    • By Topic
    • Compliance
    • Enforcement
    • Guidance
    • Laws and Executive Orders
    • Regulations
    • Report a Violation
    • Environmental Violations
    • Fraud, Waste or Abuse
    • About EPA
    • EPA Administrator
    • Organization Chart
    • Staff Directory
    • Planning, Budget, and Results
    • Jobs and Internships
    • Headquarters Offices
    • Regional Offices
    • Lab and Research Centers
Related Topics:
  • Landfills
Contact Us

Industrial and Construction and Demolition (C&D) Landfills

Resource

The Construction Industry Compliance Assistance Center  provides additional compliance information, and you many also contact your state or local environmental protection agency for more information.

EPA has developed minimum technical criteria that industrial landfills must meet (40 CFR Part 257). Solid waste disposal, including nonhazardous industrial waste, is overseen by the states. Some states may impose requirements that are more stringent than the federal requirements.  

On this page:

  • What is an industrial waste landfill?
  • What is a C&D landfill?

What is an industrial waste landfill?

An industrial waste landfill is any landfill other than a municipal solid waste landfill, a Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) Subtitle C hazardous waste landfill, or a Toxic Substances Control Act hazardous waste landfill. It is used to dispose of industrial solid waste, such as RCRA Subtitle D wastes (e.g., non-hazardous industrial solid waste defined in Title 40 of the Code of Federal Regulations or CFR in section 257.2), commercial solid wastes, or conditionally exempt small-quantity generator wastes. An industrial waste landfill includes all disposal areas at the facility.


What is a construction and demolition (C&D) landfill?

Related Information

Reducing, Reusing and Recycling C&D materials

Looking for past EPA reports? Use the following keywords to search the EPA archive for additional resources on C&D landfills, including reports developed in the CESQGs rule:

  • Construction and Demolition landfills

A C&D landfill receives construction and demolition debris, which typically consists of roadwork material, excavated material, demolition waste, construction/renovation waste, and site clearance waste (40 CFR section 258.2). C&D landfills do not receive hazardous waste (40 CFR section 261.3) or industrial solid waste (40 CFR section 258.2), unless those landfills meet certain standards and are permitted to receive such wastes. Building materials containing lead and asbestos are also regulated by EPA.

Other types of C&D materials can include the following:

  • concrete
  • wood (from buildings)
  • asphalt (from roads and roofing shingles)
  • gypsum (the main component of drywall)
  • metals
  • bricks
  • glass
  • plastics
  • salvaged building components (doors, windows, and plumbing fixtures)
  • trees, stumps, earth and rock from clearing sites.

Reducing and recycling C&D materials conserves landfill space, reduces the environmental impact of producing new materials, creates jobs, and can reduce overall building project expenses through avoided purchase/disposal costs.

Contact Us to ask a question, provide feedback, or report a problem.
United States Environmental Protection Agency

Discover.

  • Accessibility
  • Budget & Performance
  • Contracting
  • EPA www Web Snapshot
  • Grants
  • No FEAR Act Data
  • Plain Writing
  • Privacy
  • Privacy and Security Notice

Connect.

  • Data.gov
  • Inspector General
  • Jobs
  • Newsroom
  • Open Government
  • Regulations.gov
  • Subscribe
  • USA.gov
  • White House

Ask.

  • Contact EPA
  • EPA Disclaimers
  • Hotlines
  • FOIA Requests
  • Frequent Questions

Follow.

Last updated on June 8, 2021