Non-Hazardous Waste from Flooring Renovations: What Can or Cannot Be Landfilled?

Learn how to safely and legally dispose of both hazardous and nonhazardous wastes secondary to flooring renovation. Q&As include:

1. What non-hazardous wastes are generated from flooring waste disposal?
2. What are some common examples of non-hazardous waste from flooring waste disposal?
3. What contaminants will transform otherwise nonhazardous flooring waste into hazmat?
4. Can all the materials listed in Q.2 be landfilled if they are not otherwise contaminated with hazmat?
5. Which specific nonhazardous wastes from flooring waste disposal might be prohibited in landfills?
6. Is epoxy waste disposal RCRA hazardous?
7. What is the EPA Mixture Rule?
8. What is a landfill rejection fee?
9. What are some practical jobsite segregation tips for flooring waste disposal?
10. Where can you get help regarding flooring waste disposal?

1. What non-hazardous wastes are generated from flooring waste disposal?

Typical non-hazardous wastes from flooring waste disposal include a variety of materials that are not classified as dangerous to human health or the environment. These can often be disposed of in standard construction or commercial waste streams—except if they are contaminated with a hazardous waste (see Q.3).

Also, some materials (e.g., carpet, underlayment, clean wood, or cardboard) might be recyclable through a local construction & demolition (C&D) recycling center.

2. What are some common examples of non-hazardous waste from flooring waste disposal?

Be behooved: Always check with local landfill authorities to confirm guidelines—and to find out if there are any specific requirements for disposing of waste from flooring renovations, especially large quantities.

This is particularly important because you can be fined a considerable “landfill rejection fee” if the flooring waste you deliver to the landfill doesn’t meet its acceptance criteria (see Q.8).

All that said, some common examples of non-hazardous waste from flooring renovations include:

Old flooring materials (if not contaminated)

• Carpet and carpet padding
• Vinyl tiles or sheet vinyl
• Ceramic or porcelain tile
• Laminate flooring
• Hardwood planks (non-treated)
• Luxury vinyl plank (LVP)

Underlayment and subflooring

• Foam, cork, or felt underlayment
• Plywood or particleboard scraps

Installation debris

• Wood shavings and sawdust (non-treated)
• Plastic spacers
• Empty cardboard packaging (for planks, tile, etc.)
• Scrap pieces of flooring that are unused or cut-offs
• Paper or plastic backing sheets

Adhesive waste (if fully dried)

• Dried glue or adhesive residue on backing paper
• Empty buckets or tubes of adhesive (if fully used and dried)
• Cured epoxy (see Q.5)

General construction debris

• Plastic sheeting or wrapping
• Cardboard boxes
• Nails, staples, or screws
• Non-hazardous caulk tubes or sealant packaging
• Clean rags or paper towels

3. What contaminants will transform otherwise nonhazardous flooring waste into hazmat?

Any of the materials listed in Q.2 must be managed and disposed of as hazardous waste if they’re incidentally contaminated with any of the following:

• Asbestos (e.g., in old vinyl tiles or adhesives)
• Lead-based products
• Solvent-based adhesives or finishes
• Mold

4. Can all the materials listed in Q.2 be landfilled if they are not otherwise contaminated with hazmat?

Not a chance. Even though a flooring waste might be non-hazardous, that doesn’t automatically mean it can go into a municipal solid waste landfill or C&D recycling center. Local, state, or landfill-specific rules often apply. To ensure that you’re in compliance:

• Consult local waste management and recycling services to determine what materials are accepted for landfilling, recycling, or special disposal in your area.
• Prioritize reducing waste by carefully estimating material needs for your project and consider reusing materials still in good condition.
• Consider donating old flooring materials that are still usable to nonprofit organizations (e.g., Habitat for Humanity ReStores).
• Work with licensed reputable waste disposal and recycling services that can properly handle and dispose of various flooring wastes according to regulations.

5. Which specific nonhazardous wastes from flooring waste disposal might be prohibited in landfills?

Depending on location and other circumstances, the following wastes might be prohibited in landfills:

Flooring materials

• Hardwood. Old hardwood floors are often reusable, or they can be salvaged for projects like furniture making.
• Carpet. Many carpets are recyclable, especially those made of synthetics like nylon, and there are recycling centers that specialize in them. Even if not recycled, clean carpet remnants can be repurposed (e.g., as insulation, pet bedding, or doormats). And some carpet manufacturers have takeback programs.
• Ceramic or porcelain tile. While not easily recyclable in a traditional sense, tiles can be crushed and reused as a base material in construction (e.g., for roadbeds).
• Laminate. Recycling laminate flooring is more challenging due to its composition, but specialized services do exist.
• Vinyl & linoleum. Similar to laminate, these materials are often not biodegradable and might require specialized recycling or disposal at a C&D landfill. However, some recycling centers may accept them for drop-off.

Other materials

• Treated wood. Wood treated with chemical preservatives to protect it from insects and fungal decay should be managed as hazardous waste and cannot be landfilled with regular waste.
• Adhesives, sealants, and other chemicals. Many of these products contain hazardous chemicals and require proper disposal at designated facilities, rather than in landfills.
• Metal scraps. Metal is highly recyclable and should be separated and sent to recycling centers (e.g., old trim and fasteners).
• Packaging materials. Many of these materials are recyclable and should be separated for recycling (cardboard, plastic film, etc.).

6. Is epoxy waste disposal RCRA hazardous?

Epoxy waste disposal is generally not considered RCRA hazardous if it’s properly mixed and fully cured. Thus, it can be disposed of in regular trash, with the following caveats:

• The determination of non-hazardous status depends on following the manufacturer’s instructions for mixing the resin and hardener at the correct ratio. If the mixture is off-ratio or incompletely cured, it may still exhibit hazardous characteristics and should be managed accordingly.
• Any leftover epoxy must be completely hardened into an inert solid plastic before disposal.
• Unused or leftover liquid epoxy resin and/or hardener are each considered RCRA hazardous. This is because the resin is ignitable, and the hardener is corrosive and/or toxic. Thus, neither should ever be poured down the drain.
• Some epoxy compounds might contain toxic heavy metals or organic compounds that are RCRA hazardous. If there’s a possibility of this, the leftover epoxy must be managed as hazardous waste.
• To be disposed of as non-hazardous waste, containers that once held epoxy resin or hardener must contain no more than three percent of their total capacity by weight (i.e., to be RCRA empty).
• If you use solvents to clean up epoxy spills, the resulting mixture of solvent and epoxy may become a hazardous waste and needs to be handled per the EPA Mixture Rule. (See Q.7)

7. What is the EPA Mixture Rule?

The EPA Mixture Rule, (aka, Mixture Rule For Hazardous Waste Identification) is a RCRA mandate concerning how mixtures of hazardous and non-hazardous wastes must be managed. In sum, it dictates that if a listed hazardous waste is mixed with a non-hazardous one, the entire mixture becomes RCRA hazardous.

E.g., if you use a solvent to clean up an epoxy spill, the resulting mixture of solvent and epoxy is considered RCRA hazardous and must be managed and disposed of as hazmat. This is true even if the final mixture no longer exhibits hazardous characteristics (e.g., ignitability or toxicity).

8. What is a landfill rejection fee?

A landfill rejection fee is an additional charge or penalty that a landfill imposes when waste that’s delivered for disposal doesn’t meet the facility’s acceptance criteria. This can happen when:

• Hazardous waste mixed with general waste
• Prohibited materials present
• Waste is not properly sorted
• Loads exceed weight or volume limits
• Missing documentation

9. What are some practical jobsite segregation tips for flooring waste disposal?

Some practical jobsite segregation tips for flooring waste disposal include:

Define work zones clearly:

• Set boundaries using plastic sheeting, zip walls, or temporary partitions to isolate the work area.
• Use floor-to-ceiling plastic barriers (with zipper doors) to contain dust and debris.
• Label zones: “Work Area,” “Clean Zone,” “Storage,” “Walkway,” etc.

Control dust and debris:

• Use dust containment systems (e.g. negative air machines or HEPA-filtered air scrubbers).
• Lay sticky mats at entry/exit points to trap dust off shoes.
• Install doorway covers or zipper walls at all access points to prevent dust migration.

Have dedicated access routes by establishing separate paths for:

• Workers entering/exiting
• Material delivery
• Waste removal
• Protect walkways with plastic runners or ram board

Restrict unauthorized access:

• Post clear signage (“Authorized Personnel Only”) around the work area.
• Use barriers, caution tape, or cones to keep other trades, clients, or occupants out.
• Lock or block unused doors leading into the workspace.

Establish material and tool storage zones:

• Designate specific areas for tools, supplies, and flooring materials.
• Keep stored materials elevated off the floor to prevent damage or moisture exposure.

Have a waste management plan:

• Place clearly marked bins for flooring scraps, packaging, and general trash.
• Remove waste daily to prevent tripping hazards and dust build-up.

Schedule strategically:

• Stagger flooring work in phases (e.g., room by room or section by section).
• Allow curing/drying times.
• Ensure areas are segregated until ready for foot traffic.

Protect finished floors:

• Immediately cover each completed area with protective sheeting or ram board.
• Limit traffic on finished floors to reduce scuffing, adhesive failure, or joint movement

Designate worker clean-off stations:

• Set up boot cleaning stations or provide shoe covers at zone transitions.
• Have a vacuum or broom station nearby for quick cleanup.

Uphold safety:

• Maintain fire exits, ventilation, and emergency access during work.
• Ensure PPE rules and site signage reflect the flooring-specific hazards (e.g., adhesives, sanding, sharp edges).

10. Where can you get help regarding flooring waste disposal?

Whether you’re dealing with large or small quantities, look to Hazardous Waste Experts for a one-stop solution to managing flooring waste, including removal, transportation, and disposal.

Nationwide, we offer premier service and consultation to businesses, organizations, and government agencies, helping them determine whether the waste they’re dealing with is RCRA hazardous—or not.

Call 425-414-3485 for expert advice.

Thank you for reading our blog!