How to Separate Recyclable Materials in Your Construction Dumpster

A Quick Guide from Calsan Dumpsters Pro

Recycling on construction and demolition sites helps reduce landfill waste, keeps your jobsite organized, and can even lower disposal costs. At Calsan Dumpsters Pro, we support smarter waste management across Oakland & the Bay Area. Here’s how to separate recyclables effectively in your dumpster.

1. Identify What Can Be Recycled

Common recyclable materials on jobsites include:

Concrete & asphalt

Metal (steel, aluminum, copper)

Clean wood

Cardboard & paper

Certain plastics

2. Separate Materials Inside the Dumpster

Dedicate simple sections:

One side: concrete, asphalt, bricks

Other side: wood

Back: metals

Top/side area: cardboard & packaging

If possible, use small onsite bins and load them last.

3. Keep Recyclables Clean

To avoid contamination:

Keep cardboard dry

Separate treated wood from clean wood

Avoid mixing concrete dust with other materials

4. Don’t Mix in Non-Recyclables

Keep these out of the recyclable sections:

Insulation

Painted or contaminated wood

Mixed drywall

Hazardous materials

A Cleaner Jobsite Starts with Good Sorting

Proper separation makes recycling easier, faster, and more cost-effective. And if you ever need guidance, our team is here to help.