Compliance with CalGreen Building Code

New Construction Waste Diversion

CalGreen requires newly constructed buildings and demolition projects and additions and alterations to non-residential projects to recycle a minimum of 65% of the nonhazardous construction and demolition waste. Please see this table for general requirements for each type. 

Methods of Compliance :

• Enforcing agencies can require contractors to develop and maintain a waste management plan and document diversion and disposal. 

• Utilize a waste management company that can provide verifiable documentation that it meets 65% waste diversion. 

• Use a waste stream reduction alternative :

  • Non-Residential new construction and residential high rise (4 stories or more) projects with a total disposal weight of ≤ 2lbs/ft2 meets the 65% waste diversion requirement. 

  • Residential low rise (3 stories or less) with new construction disposal of ≤ 3.4lbs/ft2 meets the 65% waste diversion requirement. 

Space for Recycling by Occupants 

Newly constructed non-residential buildings, certain non-residential additions and multi-family housing with ≤ 5 units must provide readily accessible areas that serve the entire building and are identified for the depositing, storage, and collection of non-hazardous materials for recycling, including (at minimum) paper, corrugated cardboard, glass, plastics, and metals. 

For more information on CALGreen's waste diversion requirements, refer to the Building Department.

Reporting

In its annual report to CalRecycle, each jurisdiction must provide the number of C&D debris removal  activities that complied with CALGreen's minimum 65% C&D debris recovery rate requirement and the number of construction permits subject to the space for recycling requirement. 

Click here to read about Compliance with the Model Water Efficiency Landscape Ordinance.