CalGreen / Construction & Demolition (C&D) Debris Recovery Program

Program Overview

The 2019 California Green Building Standards Code (CalGreen) (PDF), as amended in Contra Costa County Code, requires that at least 65% by weight of job site debris generated by most types of building project types be recycled, reused, or otherwise diverted from landfill disposal. This requirement applies to demolition projects and most new construction, as well as the majority of building additions or alterations (see CalGreen Project Type Guide (PDF) for more details). CalGreen requires submission of plans and reports with verifiable post-project documentation to demonstrate that at least 65% of the nonhazardous construction and demolition (C&D) debris generated on the job site are salvaged for reuse, recycled or otherwise diverted.

A Guide to the CalGreen Review Process

Email completed CalGreen Plan (Residential (PDF) or Non-Residential (PDF)) to your assigned Plan Checker for approval.
If your Plan is approved, Plan Checker will remove the "Hold permit issuance for CalGreen Plan" on your permit.
Once your building permit issued and project construction has been completed, bring project waste to a facility on our Approved List.
Ask for recycling receipts with weights before unloading waste at an approved facility. Receipts that say MSW, MT, Trash, Refuse or General Debris will receive 0% diversion.
Email receipts and completed CalGreen Report (PDF) to [email protected] for compliance review. If your report is approved, Staff will remove the "120" CalGreen hold on final inspection.

CalGreen Packet for Applicants and Owners

CalGreen Applicant Instructions - Residential Projects (PDF)*REVISED 2/16/2022*
CalGreen Applicant Instructions - Non-Residential Projects (PDF)*REVISED 2/16/2022*
Approved C&D Processing Facilities List (PDF) *REVISED 5/10/2023*

CalGreen Plan Forms
(Needed to release the CalGreen hold on Permit issuance)

Do not fill-out CalGreen Plan until you have saved/downloaded the forms as described in these step-by-step instructions. Fillable CalGreen Plan and Letter of Acknowledgement Forms are NOT printable. Completed PDF forms should be submitted electronically to the assigned staff person via e-mail. If you do not know the email of the plan checker assigned to your project, please call the APC Front Desk at 925 655-2700, tell them your permit number, and ask for the email of the plan checker assigned to your project..

Construction Waste Management (CalGreen) Plan Form - Residential (PDF) *REVISED 5/10/2023*
Construction Waste Management (CalGreen) Plan Form - Non-Residential (PDF)*REVISED 5/10/2023*

CalGreen Report Forms

(Needed to release the CalGreen hold on scheduling Final Inspection)

Do not fill-out CalGreen Report until you have saved/downloaded the form as described in these step-by-step instructions. Fillable CalGreen Report Form, which automatically subtotals the tons, is NOT printable Completed PDF form should be submitted electronically along with copies of all recycling receipts via e-mail to [email protected].

Construction Waste Management (CalGreen) Report Form (PDF) *REVISED 6/14/2023*

Fillable Supplemental Report Form for Non-Residential Projects that included removal of land clearing debris (dirt, rock, trees and other green waste) that must be filled out electronically and submitted with applicable receipts concurrently with the completed CalGreen Report ([email protected])

Supplemental Land Clearing Debris Report Form - Non-Residential Projects only (PDF)*REVISED 2/16/2022*

CalGreen Compliance Tools & Resources

Diversion Certification Form (PDF)
This Form must be completed if a recycling receipt was issued by a facility that IS NOT on the Approved C&D Processing Facilities list, if material was donated for reuse or if an Approved Processing Facility receipt does not include all of the required information (quantity and material type). *REVISED 10/17/2019*

Recycling Receipt Guide (PDF) *REVISED 5/19/2020*

CalGreen Reporting Tool for Large Projects & Subdivisions (up to 50 receipts) (XLSX) Excel Worksheet *REVISED 5/17/2023*

Volume to Weight Conversion Table (PDF)
(2,000 pound = 1 ton)

CalGreen Project Type Guide (PDF)

CalGreen Building Standards Code Recycling Requirements, as amended, effective 1-1-2020 (PDF)

Full CalGreen Packet

Do not fill-out CalGreen Plan or Report until you have saved/downloaded the forms as described in these step-by-step instructions (PDF). Fillable CalGreen Plan and Report forms that are NOT printable and must be saved and filled out electronically for official electronic submittal.

Full CalGreen Packet for Residential Projects with Fillable Forms (PDF)*REVISED 6/14/2023*
Full CalGreen Packet for Non-Residential Projects with Fillable Forms (PDF)*REVISED 6/14/2023*

Additional Resources

CalRecycle (State of California) CalGreen FAQs

CalGreen Resources - CA HCD - [CA Building Standards Code Text]

Builders’ Guide to Reuse and Recycling (PDF)

Listing of Reuse and Recycling Facilities by material Type

GreenHalo Systems: Optional reporting tool for CalGreen recycling requirements (DO NOT submit on-line) - Must submit PDF version of any report completed using GreenHalo along with legible copies of receipts (not printed versions of receipts scanned/uploaded into GreenHalo) via e-mail to [email protected].

Average Amount of Construction and Demolition (C&D) Debris Generated by Project Type

Type of Building	Single Family Residential	Multi-Family Residential	Non- Residential
Project Type	Average Pounds per Square Foot
New Construction	3.2 (Tract) - 7.5 (custom)	9.5	13
Addition	33	4.5	27
Alteration	39		10
Demolition	83	116	21

Typical Composition of C & D Debris

Debris Type	Percent
Concrete & Asphalt	21%
Wood	20%
Roofing Materials	15%
Drywall/Sheetrock (Gypsum)	8%
Metal	4%
Cardboard & Paper	3%
Other Organics (plant debris)	3%
Glass	1%
Plastics	1%
Remaining Mixed Debris & Trash	24%
TOTAL	100%