We’re sure the best of intentions are behind the proposal to
force Gilroy construction and demolition sites to sort and recycle
building debris. But good intentions don’t always make common or,
in this case, economic sense.
We’re sure the best of intentions are behind the proposal to force Gilroy construction and demolition sites to sort and recycle building debris. But good intentions don’t always make common or, in this case, economic sense.
We suspect that if there was a demand for used sheet rock, cement and other building debris, companies would already be sorting and recycling them.
Instead, we suspect this is a case of “everyone else is doing it, so we should pass a sort and recycle ordinance too.”
City officials are working on crafting an just such an ordinance. They’re trying to determine at what level of renovation, construction, or demolition compliance would be triggered. They’re trying to determine how such an ordinance would be enforced.
What city officials ought to be trying to figure out how to make construction and demolition recycling an economically viable proposition. That involves several steps:
– How much will this ordinance cost construction companies in terms of additional labor?
– How much will it cost to get rid of the sorted debris compared to the cost of taking it to landfills?
– How practical is it to sort construction debris?
– Are any companies currently in Gilroy who buy construction debris? If not, how will the city attract at least one?
City council members are expected to review whatever ordinance that Lisa Jensema, Gilroy’s environmental programs coordinator, and her team craft by the end of the year. We urge Jensema and council members to make certain that they look carefully at the economics and practicality of any ordinance they craft or consider.
sheet rock, concrete and other building debris, companies would already be sorting and recycling them.
Instead, we suspect this is a case of “everyone else is doing it, so we should pass a sort-and-recycle ordinance, too.”
City officials are working on crafting just such an ordinance. They’re trying to determine at what level of renovation, construction or demolition compliance would be triggered. They’re trying to determine how such an ordinance would be enforced.
What city officials ought to be trying to figure out is how to make construction and demolition recycling an economically viable proposition. That involves several steps:
n How much will this ordinance cost construction companies in terms of additional labor?
n How much will it cost to get rid of the sorted debris compared to the cost of taking it to landfills?
– How practical is it to sort construction debris?
– Are any companies currently in the area that buy construction debris? If not, how will the city attract at least one?
City council members are expected to review whatever ordinance that Lisa Jensema, Gilroy’s environmental programs coordinator, and her team craft by the end of the year. We urge Jensema and council members to make certain that they look carefully at the economics and practicality of any ordinance rather than just saying “yes.”
