RE: [GreenYes] Recycling Drywall?

["Reindl, John" <Reindl@co.dane.wi.us>]

Hi Laura ~

By separate email, I will send you the bibliography that we are compiling on
drywall recycling. It is available at no cost to anyone who is interested.

As with any fertilizer, the application of drywall to soil should be done
only with knowledge of local soil chemistry and plant requirements. Gypsum
is a very valuable fertilizer to plants that can use either the sulfur or
the calcium; the boron that is present in some drywall can be an issue for
boron-sensitive plants or in soils with high levels of boron. 

Drywall can also be recycled back into drywall, used to leach sodium from
the upper layers of sodic soils, control odors and flies in barns, help
clear up muddy pond water and used to form gypsum products. 

Recycling of drywall for any of these purposes is generally confined to
construction scrap; demolition scrap is ususally too contaminated.

John Reindl, Recycling Manager
Dane County, WI 



> -----Original Message-----
> From: laura@ninthfloor.com [mailto:laura@ninthfloor.com]
> Sent: Monday, August 26, 2002 4:31 PM
> To: greenyes@grrn.org
> Subject: [GreenYes] Recycling Drywall?
> 
> 
> 
> Does anyone have resources available on the recyclability of drywall?  I
> have found a few online resources referencing the biodegradability and
fertilizing
> capabilities.  
> 
> What are the dangers of using drywall as fertilizer?
> 
> Are there other options for this construction waste?
> 
> For recyclers in Colorado:  do you know of any other options  for
recycling
> construction debris, besides ReSource 2000 and miscellaneous recyclers in
> Boulder ?
> 
> Here's one reference, stating that a local EPA rep gave the  OK to use
drywall
> as fertilizer on local crops:
> http://www.bbtel.com/~mcswrc/Page_5x.html
> 
> Thanks, 
> Laura Flanigan
> 
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