Due to WorkSafe BC health and safety regulations, Comox Strathcona Waste Management (CSWM) facilities will no longer accept pre-1990 drywall for recycling, without an approved Waste Disposal application form.
All pre-1990 drywall must now be tested for asbestos content before it can be recycled. If the testing indicates that it does not contain asbestos, the Comox Valley and Campbell River Waste Management Centres will accept the drywall for recycling. If the pre-1990 drywall does not have mud, it can be disposed with regular drywall for recycling.
Haulers are required to provide a printed copy of the analytical data with their application form to show that drywall is free from asbestos or show the material does not have mud compound. There are several local companies that perform this type of testing.
The cost of disposal for drywall (gypsum) has increased to $275/ tonne effective January 1, 2024 to cover recycling and transportation costs.
The following steps must be completed for the acceptance of asbestos free drywall material at the Comox Valley and Campbell River waste management centres:
New Construction Drywall
- Complete Waste Disposal application form and bring to waste management centre (no pre-approval required)
- Onsite verification of date stamp on drywall (gypsum) material
Renovation/ Demolition Drywall
- Complete Waste Disposal application form. Disposal of drywall must be within 90 days of receiving analytical report from a certified laboratory.
- Residents and contractors will be required to provide a project hazardous assessment report, as per Worksafe BC (Guidelines Part 20 – Demolition).
What happens to drywall when it is recycled?
Drywall that is collected for recycling is shipped to the New West Gypsum Recycling facility in the Lower Mainland. The drywall and paper are separated and reused or recycled for a variety of purposes, including composting or manufacturing new sheets of drywall. The clean gypsum core material is then sold back to manufacturers.
New wallboards typically contain about 15 - 20 per cent recycled content. Drywall or sheetrock makes up approximately 30 per cent of the debris of a standard modern home.