Construction & Demolition Debris Recovery Program
More than half of what ends up in our landfill each year is construction and demolition (C&D) waste generated by our building industry. In addition, a 2016 analysis of C&D loads sent to the landfill determined that 35% of those materials could have been diverted through existing recycling and reuse programs in Pitkin County.
To extend the life of our landfill, the County has taken new efforts to encourage diversion of C&D materials through the passage of Ordinance No. 015-2020 (and Amended Ordinance No. 008-2023). C&D waste diversion requirements are now tied to building and demolition permits from the Pitkin County Community Development Department, and we have implemented new tipping fees for disposal of C&D materials.
The Overall Context
Program Resources
This video highlights the GreenHalo Program, an initiative focused on designing and managing construction projects to promote sustainability and conserve resources.
En Espanol
Este video destaca el programa GreenHalo, una iniciativa centrada en disenar y gestionar proyectos de construccion para promover la sostenibilidad y conservar recursos.
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All construction and demolition projects participating in Pitkin County’s C&D Debris Recovery Program are required to use Green Halo to maintain compliance.
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An automated email from “no-reply@greenhalosystems.com” is sent to the primary permit contact with an account set up link when a permit application is accepted for review by the Building Department. The project account can be transferred to another project representative as necessary.
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Green Halo’s customer service team can provide assistance with any questions related to using the platform. The free customer service number is 1-888-525-1301.
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Your Green Halo tracking number is the unique number assigned to your project’s construction waste management plan that has the format GHXXX-XXX-XXXX. After logging into Green Halo, each active project tied to your account will have a dashboard. The tracking number will be found under the project address as shown in this example.
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Once your account is set up and your project construction waste management plan is approved, you can add waste and recycling receipts or photos of salvaged materials by selecting the button outlined in red in this image.
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The project can be submitted for final review once the project is complete and all waste receipts or other evidence of salvaged materials have been tracked. SWC staff will review the report within 1-2 business days to check for completion and to determine the amount of the deposit to be refunded by the Building Department based on the project’s overall waste diversion rate and whether any mixed loads were sent to landfill.
Green Halo FAQs
Managing Your County Project
Before Permit Issuance
All projects requiring a building or demolition permit from Pitkin County must participate in the C&D Debris Recovery Program. Prior to obtaining the permit, the property owner or designated project manager must sign a Recoverable Materials Diversion Acknowledgement Form (provided by Solid Waste Center staff during permit application review) and pay the refundable Diversion Compliance Deposit (DCD).
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Receive notification from the Pitkin County Building Department that your project is subject to the ordinance requirements during the pre-submittal meeting.
Once the permit application is accepted by the Building Department, the primary permit contact receives an automated email from Green Halo Systems to set up the project’s Green Halo (GH) account. The permit applicant or designated project manager is responsible for setting up a Construction Waste Management Plan with project information including the project scope, expected types of debris to be generated and the planned disposal methods. Take note of the unique GH tracking number assigned to your project.
The Recoverable Materials Diversion Acknowledgement (RMDA) form is also provided once permit review begins by Solid Waste Center staff which includes calculating the Diversion Compliance Deposit amount.
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The refundable DCD is equal to (Estimated total tons of waste) * (Per Ton Rate set forth annually by Pitkin County). The current Per Ton Rate is $1000/ton of estimated waste. Click here for guidance on determining total project waste and calculating the deposit amount.
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Submit the Recoverable Materials Diversion Acknowledgement Form to SWC staff within DocuSign for sign-off. This step must be completed before a permit can proceed to the “Building Review” phase with the Building Dept.
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Submit the Diversion Compliance Deposit to the Building Dept at permit issuance.
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During the Project
Throughout your project, RETAIN RECEIPTS related to waste disposal, recycling or reuse and track waste totals using Green Halo. Materials can automatically track to the project GH account if hauled to the Solid Waste Center and weight tickets must be entered manually for materials brought to other waste facilities.
IMPORTANT: To automatically track materials brought to the SWC, the project’s GH tracking number must be provided to our scale operators. Give this number to any parties hauling debris from your job site.
Ensure that at least 35% of total project debris (by weight) is recycled and all Recoverable Materials are separated out from trash (see next step for Recoverable Materials list). Permit applications submitted
This second part explains the process of sorting recyclable materials, highlighting best practices for maximizing recycling efficiency and reduce waste.
En Espanol
Esta segunda parte explica el proceso de clasificacion de materiales reciclables, destacando las mejores practicas para maximiar la eficiencia del reciclaje y reducir los desechos.
Before Final Building Inspection
Before the final building inspection can be scheduled, the project manager must submit a Diversion Report through Green Halo. A completed report contains all weight tickets for C&D material disposed of and recycled at the SWC as well as any other waste management facilities. SWC staff will review the report for completeness and to determine the amount of the deposit to be refunded.
FULL REFUND
A minimum of 35% of total project related waste (by weight) is diverted from trash and 100% if materials listed in “Recoverable Materials” are diverted from trash.
PARTIAL REFUND
If at least 30% of total waste (by weight) is diverted from trash but Recoverable Materials are sent to the trash.
NO REFUND
If less than 30% of total waste (by weight) is diverted from trash.
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Concrete, Masonry, Brick and Porcelain
We accept concrete with and without rebar, porcelain (e.g., toilets, bathroom fixtures) and masonry, brick, and natural stone with mortar. Materials attached to lath are not recyclable. These materials are converted to a crushed concrete product.
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Asphalt
We accept clean asphalt for $15/ton (2020 rate). The material is recycled through a crushing process and used onsite.
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Clean Wood (Lumber and Pallets)
We accept only untreated and unpainted lumber and pallets for recycling. We cannot accept engineered woods such as particleboard, OSB, LSL (e.g., TimberStrand) or glulam. Small amounts of metals, like nails, are acceptable. The material is shredded and converted into landscaping mulch.
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Organics
We accept a variety of organic materials to process into our compost product. Acceptable materials resulting from C&D activities include branches and grass and leaves. There is a $15 minimum charge for both types.
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Rock and Dirt
We accept clean screenable soil and clean rock & cover soil.
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Scrap Metal
We accept ferrous and non-ferrous metals such as structural beams, flashing, piping, and electrical components. Scrap metal is melted down and converted into recycled metal products.
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Cardboard
Cardboard packaging generated primarily during the interior finish phase of construction can be recycled at no cost. Please avoid recycling wet or otherwise contaminated cardboard.