Disaster Debris Management

Natural disasters generate large amounts of solid waste debris. Debris removal, storage, and disposal can have long-term environmental and cost effects.  Impacted communities, residents, and business owners face difficult clean-up and recovery decisions.

Debris from disasters resembles C&D materials—wood, concrete, brick, structural steel, glass, gypsum, insulation, carpet, brush, etc. However, a host of other items will likely be mixed in with the waste—personal belongings, hazardous wastes from both households and businesses, appliances, electronics, and other types of equipment.

Frequently the materials will be wet, moldy, and dirty.  Proactive planning can allow communities, businesses, and residents to be better prepared for not only removal of debris, but also recovery and recycling.  The following resource was developed by NERC to provide essential information and support about disaster debris management:.

• After the Disaster: A Guide for Residents and Small Businesses About Managing Debris Waste
• “After the Disaster: Managing the Debris,” a disaster debris management presentation