ASTM C1881-20

Standard Guide for Closed-Loop Recycling of Scrap Gypsum Panel Products

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
4.1 This guide is intended to provide guidance in determining the acceptability of scrap gypsum panel products and the resultant recycled gypsum.  
4.2 This guide is also intended for use by construction waste management teams in establishing the methods for segregating and collecting scrap.  
4.3 This guide does not dictate that any manufacturer must accept or use recycled gypsum in manufacturing gypsum panel products, nor does it mandate that scrap must be recycled by way of a closed-loop system.
Note 2: Closed-loop recycling is just one means to consider, as there are many pathways for landfill diversion.
SCOPE
1.1 This guide provides guidance for the handling, physical condition and compositional considerations for selecting scrap gypsum panel products and the recycled gypsum derived from that scrap for recycling into new gypsum panel products.  
1.2 This guide applies to material derived from gypsum panel products manufactured in accordance with Specifications C1177/C1177M, C1178/C1178M, C1278/C1278M, C1396/C1396M, and C1658/C1658M.  
1.3 This guide does not dictate the minimum amount of recycled gypsum a gypsum panel product manufacturer is required for use in producing new gypsum panel products.  
1.4 This guide does not address recycling of gypsum panel products from demolition or renovation projects.
Note 1: While these sources are outside the scope, they are not precluded from being recycled. This guide may be used as a basis for determination of basic criteria for any stream, as agreed upon between the contractor, recycler, and the gypsum panel product manufacturer.  
1.5 This guide does not address the suitability of recycled gypsum for other uses such as an agricultural amendment, for use in gypsum-based joint compounds or gypsum plaster, as an admixture or other uses of gypsum aside from gypsum panel products.  
1.6 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded as standard. The values given in parentheses are mathematical conversions to SI units that are provided for information only and are not considered standard.  
1.7 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.  
1.8 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.

General Information

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 31-Mar-2020
• ICS: 91.100.10 - Cement. Gypsum. Lime. Mortar
• Technical Committee: C11 - Gypsum and Related Building Materials and Systems
• Drafting Committee: C11.01 - Specifications and Test Methods for Gypsum Products

Relations

• Refers: ASTM C1177/C1177M-24 - Standard Specification for Glass Mat Gypsum Substrate for Use as Sheathing
• Effective Date: 01-Apr-2024
• Refers: ASTM C1658/C1658M-19 - Standard Specification for Glass Mat Gypsum Panels
• Effective Date: 01-Sep-2019
• Refers: ASTM C1658/C1658M-19e1 - Standard Specification for Glass Mat Gypsum Panels
• Effective Date: 01-Sep-2019
• Refers: ASTM C11-18a - Standard Terminology Relating to Gypsum and Related Building Materials and Systems
• Effective Date: 01-Oct-2018
• Refers: ASTM C1178/C1178M-18 - Standard Specification for Coated Glass Mat Water-Resistant Gypsum Backing Panel
• Effective Date: 01-Jun-2018
• Refers: ASTM C11-18 - Standard Terminology Relating to Gypsum and Related Building Materials and Systems
• Effective Date: 01-Jun-2018
• Refers: ASTM C1658/C1658M-18 - Standard Specification for Glass Mat Gypsum Panels
• Effective Date: 01-Jun-2018
• Refers: ASTM C1177/C1177M-17 - Standard Specification for Glass Mat Gypsum Substrate for Use as Sheathing
• Effective Date: 01-Dec-2017
• Refers: ASTM C11-17a - Standard Terminology Relating to Gypsum and Related Building Materials and Systems
• Effective Date: 01-Oct-2017
• Refers: ASTM C11-17 - Standard Terminology Relating to Gypsum and Related Building Materials and Systems
• Effective Date: 15-May-2017
• Refers: ASTM C1278/C1278M-17 - Standard Specification for Fiber-Reinforced Gypsum Panel
• Effective Date: 01-May-2017
• Refers: ASTM E2114-17 - Standard Terminology for Sustainability Relative to the Performance of Buildings
• Effective Date: 01-Feb-2017
• Refers: ASTM C11-16 - Standard Terminology Relating to Gypsum and Related Building Materials and Systems
• Effective Date: 15-May-2016
• Refers: ASTM C1278/C1278M-07a(2015) - Standard Specification for Fiber-Reinforced Gypsum Panel
• Effective Date: 01-Dec-2015
• Refers: ASTM C11-15a - Standard Terminology Relating to Gypsum and Related Building Materials and Systems
• Effective Date: 01-Oct-2015

Overview

ASTM C1881-20, titled Standard Guide for Closed-Loop Recycling of Scrap Gypsum Panel Products, is an essential international standard developed by ASTM for the sustainable management of gypsum panel product waste. This guide provides comprehensive recommendations for handling, assessing, and recycling scrap gypsum panel products into new gypsum panels via closed-loop processes. Its primary aim is to support construction waste management teams and manufacturers in making informed decisions about the quality, segregation, and acceptability of scrap and recycled gypsum, promoting landfill diversion and resource circularity in the building materials industry.

Key Topics

• Scope of Materials: This guide applies specifically to scrap derived from gypsum panel products manufactured per ASTM Specifications C1177/C1177M, C1178/C1178M, C1278/C1278M, C1396/C1396M, and C1658/C1658M.
• Acceptability Criteria: Outlines physical condition and compositional standards that scrap and recycled gypsum must meet for suitability in new product manufacturing.
• Scrap Handling Practices:
  • Scrap must be clean, free of mud, soot, grime, construction chemicals (e.g., paint, glues), fasteners, and visible molds or mildew.
  • Contaminants must be minimized to ensure process efficiency and product integrity.
• Quality Control and Verification:
  • Verification methods include source documentation, visible identification, and standardized testing for hazardous materials and chemical composition.
  • Recycled gypsum must meet minimum calcium sulfate dihydrate content and strict limits on contaminants such as sulfur and asbestos.
• Collaboration and Flexibility: The guide enables contractual agreements between manufacturers and recyclers for determining additional quality and compositional parameters, accounting for varying local or international regulatory requirements.
• Safety and Regulatory Compliance: Emphasizes the responsibility of users to address all safety, environmental, and regulatory aspects specific to their operations and geography.

Applications

• Construction Waste Management: Provides methodologies for segregating and collecting gypsum panel scrap on construction sites, facilitating efficient closed-loop recycling and reducing construction waste sent to landfill.
• Gypsum Panel Manufacturing: Assists manufacturers in evaluating recycled gypsum for reuse in new panel products by establishing quality assurance frameworks and testing requirements.
• Recycling Operations: Guides recyclers in processing scrap gypsum, maintaining documentation, and performing necessary analyses to meet end-user specifications.
• Sustainable Building Practices: Aligns with green building initiatives and circular economy goals by promoting the reuse of gypsum resources and supporting environmentally responsible construction practices.

Related Standards

• ASTM C11: Terminology Relating to Gypsum and Related Building Materials and Systems
• ASTM C22/C22M: Specification for Gypsum
• ASTM C1177/C1177M: Specification for Glass Mat Gypsum Substrate for Use as Sheathing
• ASTM C1178/C1178M: Specification for Coated Glass Mat Water-Resistant Gypsum Backing Panel
• ASTM C1278/C1278M: Specification for Fiber-Reinforced Gypsum Panel
• ASTM C1396/C1396M: Specification for Gypsum Board
• ASTM C1658/C1658M: Specification for Glass Mat Gypsum Panels
• ASTM E2114: Terminology for Sustainability Relative to the Performance of Buildings
• EPA/600/R-93/116: Method for Determination of Asbestos in Bulk Building Materials

Practical Value

Implementing ASTM C1881-20 enables construction and manufacturing stakeholders to:

• Define and enforce quality standards for scrap and recycled gypsum
• Develop closed-loop gypsum recycling workflows that meet both regulatory and performance criteria
• Reduce the environmental footprint associated with gypsum board waste
• Support attainment of sustainability certifications for buildings and operations

Keywords: closed-loop gypsum recycling, scrap gypsum panel products, recycled gypsum, construction waste management, gypsum panel product manufacturing, ASTM C1881-20, sustainability, landfill diversion, gypsum board recycling.

Standards Content (Sample)

This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
Designation: C1881 − 20
Standard Guide for
Closed-Loop Recycling of Scrap Gypsum Panel Products
This standard is issued under the fixed designation C1881; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
1.1 This guide provides guidance for the handling, physical
condition and compositional considerations for selecting scrap
2. Referenced Documents
gypsum panel products and the recycled gypsum derived from
that scrap for recycling into new gypsum panel products. 2.1 ASTM Standards:
C11 Terminology Relating to Gypsum and Related Building
1.2 This guide applies to material derived from gypsum
Materials and Systems
panel products manufactured in accordance with Specifications
C22/C22M Specification for Gypsum
C1177/C1177M, C1178/C1178M, C1278/C1278M, C1396/
C1177/C1177M Specification for Glass Mat Gypsum Sub-
C1396M, and C1658/C1658M.
strate for Use as Sheathing
1.3 This guide does not dictate the minimum amount of
C1178/C1178M Specification for Coated Glass Mat Water-
recycled gypsum a gypsum panel product manufacturer is
Resistant Gypsum Backing Panel
required for use in producing new gypsum panel products.
C1278/C1278M Specification for Fiber-Reinforced Gypsum
Panel
1.4 This guide does not address recycling of gypsum panel
C1396/C1396M Specification for Gypsum Board
products from demolition or renovation projects.
C1658/C1658M Specification for Glass Mat Gypsum Panels
NOTE 1—While these sources are outside the scope, they are not
precluded from being recycled. This guide may be used as a basis for
E2114 Terminology for Sustainability Relative to the Perfor-
determination of basic criteria for any stream, as agreed upon between the
mance of Buildings
contractor, recycler, and the gypsum panel product manufacturer.
2.2 EPA Standard:
1.5 This guide does not address the suitability of recycled
EPA/600/R-93/116 Method of Determination of Asbestos in
gypsum for other uses such as an agricultural amendment, for
Bulk Building Materials
use in gypsum-based joint compounds or gypsum plaster, as an
admixture or other uses of gypsum aside from gypsum panel
3. Terminology
products.
3.1 Definitions:
1.6 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded
3.1.1 Fordefinitionsrelatingtogypsumandrelatedbuilding
as standard. The values given in parentheses are mathematical
materials and systems, see Terminology C11.
conversions to SI units that are provided for information only
3.1.2 For terms and definitions relating to sustainability and
and are not considered standard.
sustainable development relative to the performance of
1.7 This standard does not purport to address all of the
buildings, see Terminology E2114.
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
3.2.1 closed loop system, n—system in which materials are
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
recovered or reused by a company or a cooperating group of
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
companies.
1.8 This international standard was developed in accor-
3.2.2 recycled gypsum, n—the gypsum generated by pro-
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
cessing scrap gypsum panel products.
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
This guide is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee C11 on Gypsum and Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
Related Building Materials and Systems and is the direct responsibility of the ASTM website.
Subcommittee C11.01 on Specifications and Test Methods for Gypsum Products. AvailablefromUnitedStatesEnvironmentalProtectionAgency(EPA),William
Current edition approved April 1, 2020. Published April 2020. DOI: 10.1520/ Jefferson Clinton Bldg., 1200 Pennsylvania Ave., NW, Washington, DC 20460,
C1881-20. http://www.epa.gov.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
C1881 − 20
3.2.3 recycler, n—the entity who processes scrap gypsum contractually specified between the recycler and the gypsum
panel products. panel product manufacturer accepting the recycled gypsum.
Recycled gypsum derived from water-resistant gypsum panel
3.2.3.1 Discussion—The recycler may be the gypsum panel
products should be identified as such on the bill of lading.
product manufacturer if they are equipped and have operations
NOTE 5—Additives used to enhance the water-resistance of these
to process the scrap or may be a third-party specializing in the
specific gypsum panel products can create significant processing issues
collection and processing of scrap.
when the resultant recycled gypsum is processed into new gypsum panel
3.2.4 scrap gypsum panel products, n—gypsum panel prod-
products, depending upon the manufacturer’s processes.
ucts or portions thereof that are unused; dunnage; or damaged
5.1.6 Scrap gypsum panel products not meeting the criteria
material.
derived by way of this section may be rejected by the recycler
3.2.4.1 Discussion—This may also be referred to as scrap in
and recycled gypsum derived from scrap not meeting this
this guide.
section may be rejected by the gypsum panel product manu-
facturer at their discretion.
4. Significance and Use
6. Recycled Gypsum Material Requirements—Chemical
4.1 This guide is intended to provide guidance in determin-
and Physical Properties
ing the acceptability of scrap gypsum panel products and the
6.1 General:
resultant recycled gypsum.
6.1.1 All scrap gypsum panel products being considered for
4.2 Thisguideisalsointendedforusebyconstructionwaste
recycling should meet the criteria in the appropriate specifica-
management teams in establishing the methods for segregating
tion(s) in 1.2.
and collecting scrap.
6.1.2 All recycled gypsum should contain a minimum 70 %
4.3 This guide does not dictate that any manufacturer must
by mass calcium sulfate dihydrate (dry) as specified in Speci-
accept or use recycled gypsum in manufacturing gypsum panel
fication C22/C22M, as determined by thermogravimetric
products, nor does it mandate that scrap must be recycled by
analysis.
way of a closed-loop system.
6.1.3 All scrap and the recycled gypsum derived from it
NOTE 2—Closed-loop recycling is just one means to consider, as there
should not contain more than 10 ppm orthorhombic
are many pathways for landfill diversion.
cyclooctasulfur, as determined by a means acceptable to the
recycler and the gypsum panel product manufacturer, in
5. Job Site Material Requirements—Cleanliness
accordance with the criteria of Specification C1396/C1396M.
5.1 Scrap gypsum panel products meeting the following
6.1.4 All scrap and all gypsum derived from it shall have no
criteria are eligible for recycling. The scrap should be clean
detectable levels of asbestos after testing the scrap in accor-
enough such that it can be recycled in the recycler’s process
dance with EPA/600/R-93/116.
and the recycled gypsum derived from the scrap can be used in
6.1.5 All contaminants in scrap and recycled gypsum shall
the gypsum panel product manufacturer’s process.
be at or below levels as dictated by applicable governmental
age
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