counted as 100% diverted, increasing the overall project diversion rate. Te days of relying on comingled loads as a means of achieving high diversion rates are past; because of recent changes in waste classifications and reporting requirements, diversion rates at many construction and demolition facilities are falling as transparency increases. When you have a co-mingled load, you


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the question if it is truly required. If the answer is “No,” expect to see moderate savings on the wood material costs and disposal fees.


7 Avoid Packaging Waste


Reusable HDPE pallets have high potential for reuse, while wood pallets are typically destined for incinerators or chipping. As recently as four decades ago, materials were delivered to the site on reusable metal pallets, which were shipped back to the manufacturer for use. Within one generation, we transi-


tioned from widespread use of reusable packaging to filling dumpsters with wood- en pallets and crates, most of which are destined for incineration or chipping. Not only is it a waste of money from a procurement perspective, at around $500 a pull (or more), filling up dumpsters with wood crating and pallets is a big cost to the job, too. Requiring partners to utilize reusable


(now HDPE, typically) pallets, or use metal crates for MEP parts and metal bunkers for curtainwall elements, as examples, helps lower project costs and keep wood waste to a minimum.


8 Embodied Carbon on Bid Forms Bid forms can be modified to ask for


embodied carbon in addition to cost information. Embodied carbon, or the carbon emis- sions associated with the manufacture, installation, use and disposal of building products has already entered the mod- ern vernacular for many construction professionals. For those of us who are newer to the


conversation, there are many great re- sources (e.g., Carbon Leadership Forum) that provide educational material on how to get up to speed. But for those of us ready to dive deeper, consider requesting embodied carbon information at the time of bid, particularly with common, high-impact packages such as large struc- tural steel and concrete/rebar. Especially in major metropolitan areas


in California, many subcontractors are accustomed to providing information on embodied carbon and should be able to respond to basic questions at the time of bid about what their assumed carbon intensities are. Adding embodied carbon fields to bid forms is a no-cost way to push the industry forward in tracking – and even reducing – embodied carbon.


9 Source-Separating Your Waste Streams


Source-separating loads, such as drywall, wood, and metal, allow those bins to be


need to report your diversion rate as the weight of the bin × the facility diversion rate for that period. If you’re relying on comingled bins and the facility diversion rate is 55%, your total project diversion rate is going to be 55%. So how do you get your project di-


version rate up? Source separation. A source-separated drywall bin can count upwards of 100% of its weight as diverted; and often costs less per dumpster due to less handling at the sorting facility. In addition, many waste haulers will offer the project a credit for high-value products such as steel and aluminum. So when space allows, plan on having source-separated bins as a means of lowering cost and increasing your diver- sion rate. Sustainability best practices are accessible to all projects, often times at minimal additional effort and at an overall cost savings to the project. With good bidder engagement, smart scopes of work, and a bit of logistical pre-planning, all projects have the ability to contribute to reducing construction’s impact on the environment.


Emi LaFountain


Emi LaFountain, LEED for Homes AP + WELL AP, is Sustainability Strategy Manager – West Coast for Turner Construction Company. She can be reached at klafountain@tcco.com.


CALIFORNIA CONSTRUCTOR JULY/AUGUST 2025


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