Opportunities for Promoting the Recycling of Gypsum Board from Construction, Renovation, and Demolition in Manitoba by Hyunjoo Oh A Thesis submitted to the Faculty of Graduate Studies of The University of Manitoba in partial fulfillment of the requirements of the degree of Master of Natural Resources Management Natural Resources Institute Clayton H. Riddell Faculty of Environment, Earth, and Resources University of Manitoba Winnipeg, Manitoba Copyright © 2019 by Hyunjoo Oh ABSTRACT This thesis is the result of a two-year (2016-2018) study through literature and document review and semi-structured interviews; many people in Manitoba from industry and government participated in the interviews, and many others in other Canadian provinces shared their knowledge and experience in the construction, gypsum manufacturing, and recycling industries. The research aimed to explore opportunities for promoting the recycling of gypsum board in Manitoba, given that gypsum is largely landfilled despite its high recyclability. Overall, this study concludes that the establishment of recycling infrastructure and minimized distance of transport are key factors in gypsum recycling. Considering these factors of importance and regional recycling conditions and circumstances, the study highlights the fact that government initiative and support through financial (dis)incentives and regulations are at the core of promoting the recycling of gypsum board in Manitoba. KEYWORDS: gypsum board, recycling policy, waste management, construction waste, CRD waste, gypsum to gypsum, drywall disposal. i ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Many people assisted and supported me in completing this thesis. First, I would like to thank my committee: Dr. Iain Davidson-Hunt, my academic advisor, for your inspiration, confidence in me, warm encouragement, and constant support and guidance; Dr. John Sinclair and Mr. Glen Holmes, for your insightful advice and enthusiasm and for your commitment to this research. I thank Dr. McLachlan for helping me to complete my academic journey. I thank each member of the faculty and administrative staff for your timely, welcoming assistance during my studies at the Natural Resources Institute. I would also like to express my appreciation to Janis Pregnall for your dedication to perfection in helping me proofread my thesis. Many people who made this research possible through their participation and support deserve special recognition. I express my sincere gratitude to the interview participants and many others who took their time and shared their knowledge. I thank my former employer, the provincial government of Gyeongsangbuk-do of South Korea, for its generous support with funding, as well as for the opportunity to study for the degree of Master of Natural Resources Management. I also acknowledge the financial support of the University of Manitoba during my studies at the Institute. I wish to thank Dr. Jong-Kyung Sonn, Dr. Duck-Kee Kwon, Dr. Ken Wilkenning, and Mr. Bonghak Yoon for helping me take first steps in my graduate studies at the Institute. My deep gratitude goes to my family and friends in Korea and Canada, who cheered on me when my work sometimes became challenging. Lastly, I want to express my heartfelt thanks to, and love for my husband and children. You constantly supported me with your affection and laughter throughout my academic journey. ii TABLE OF CONTENTS ABSTRACT ............................................................................................................................................................... i ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS .................................................................................................................................... ii TABLE OF CONTENTS ........................................................................................................................................ iii LIST OF TABLES ................................................................................................................................................. vii LIST OF FIGURES .............................................................................................................................................. viii GLOSSARY OF ACRONYMS AND TERMS ..................................................................................................... ix Chapter 1: INTRODUCTION .............................................................................................................................. 1 1.1 Background .................................................................................................................................................. 1 1.1.1 Sustainable development ............................................................................................................... 1 1.1.2 Towards a recycling society .......................................................................................................... 1 1.2 Problem Statement ................................................................................................................................... 4 1.3 Research Purpose and Objectives ....................................................................................................... 6 1.4 General Methods ........................................................................................................................................ 7 1.5 Justification for Research ....................................................................................................................... 7 1.6 Research Scope ........................................................................................................................................... 9 1.7 Thesis Organization ................................................................................................................................10 Chapter 2: GYPSUM BOARD WASTE MANAGEMENT ...........................................................................11 2.1 Gypsum and Gypsum Board ................................................................................................................11 2.2 Sustainability Imperative .....................................................................................................................13 2.3 Gypsum Board Waste and the Management .................................................................................14 2.3.1 Recycling process and technology ............................................................................................16 2.3.2 Policy instruments for promoting recycling .........................................................................18 2.3.3 Action on gypsum board waste..................................................................................................20 iii 2.4 CRD Waste Management in Europe..................................................................................................22 2.4.1 The European Union’s strategies and Waste Framework Directive ..........................23 2.4.2 Gypsum to Gypsum .........................................................................................................................25 2.5 CRD Waste Management in the United Kingdom ........................................................................26 2.5.1 Regulation of gypsum board waste .........................................................................................27 2.5.2 Economic instruments in practice ...........................................................................................29 2.5.3 Other instruments and initiatives .............................................................................................31 2.6 CRD Waste Management in Canada .................................................................................................32 2.6.1 Gypsum board waste in Canada ................................................................................................34 2.6.2 CRD Waste management in British Columbia ......................................................................35 2.6.3 Strategies for CRD waste in Nova Scotia ................................................................................38 2.6.4 Management efforts in Alberta ..................................................................................................39 2.6.5 Gypsum board waste in Manitoba ............................................................................................40 2.7 Summary .....................................................................................................................................................41 Chapter 3: RESEARCH METHODS .................................................................................................................42 3.1 Introduction ..............................................................................................................................................42 3.2 Research Approach .................................................................................................................................42 3.3 Literature Review ...................................................................................................................................43 3.4 Document Review ..................................................................................................................................44 3.5 Semi-structured Interviews ................................................................................................................45 3.6 Record