Materials Source Information

For all project materials, obtain accurate and complete materials source information in accordance with
the
Standard Specifications
, Item 6, “Control of Materials,” before granting approval to the source supplier. Ensure that all materials are sourced to their original location. This may include multiple sources for the same material.
Materials used in the project must be free of any hazardous material. If materials delivered to the project are found to be contaminated, ensure the Contractor removes and disposes of the material in accordance with
the
Standard Specifications
, Article 6.10, “Hazardous Materials.” Be aware that some contaminated materials are easily identified by visual observation or smell, while others are not. In order to determine materials quality when there are potential concerns regarding contamination, obtain full disclosure of the source of supply in accordance with Article 6.4, “Sampling, Testing, and Inspections.”
of the
Standard Specifications
.
Do not allow materials containing recycled hazardous waste. The
Standard Specifications
 define Hazardous Materials or Waste as:
“Hazardous materials or waste include but are not limited to explosives, compressed gas, flammable liquids, flammable solids, combustible liquids, oxidizers, poisons, radioactive materials, corrosives, etiologic agents, and other material classified as hazardous by 40 CFR 261, or applicable state and federal regulations.”
Non-hazardous Recyclable Materials (NRMs) may be used if the NRM satisfies contract requirements and the environmental criteria specified in Department Materials Specification (DMS)
DMS-11000,
“Evaluating and Using Nonhazardous Recyclable Materials Guidelines.”
While NRMs are not hazardous by definition, they may be contaminated and could present a problem depending on their use. For this reason, identify such materials and ensure proper evaluation in accordance with DMS-11000. Specifically, DMS-11000 identifies the following materials with an established history of TxDOT use:
  • aluminum
  • compost
  • glass traffic beads
  • ground granulated blast furnace slag
  • shredded brush
  • steel
  • tire rubber
  • ceramics, glass cullet, plastics, and crushed concrete from non-industrial sources
  • Reclaimed Asphalt Pavement (RAP)
  • fly and bottom ash from electrical utility plants, and
  • Department-owned materials.
These established NRMs, as well as materials shown on the
Material Producer Lists
(MPL) for NRMs or Recycled Asphalt Shingles (RAS), may be accepted for use without documentation of environmental suitability.
Article 6.9,
"Recycled Materials"
, of the Standard Specifications states:
“The Department will not allow hazardous wastes, as defined in 30 TAC 335, proposed for recycling. Use NRMs only if the specification for the Item does not disallow or restrict use. Determine if NRMs are regulated under 30 TAC 312, 330, 332, 334, or 335, and comply with all general prohibitions and requirements. Use NRMs in accordance with DMS-11000, “Evaluating and Using Nonhazardous Recyclable Materials Guidelines,” and furnish all documentation in the manner prescribed by the Department.”
NRMs not found on the MPL require environmental evaluation and documentation, and must be reported on the Contractor’s Environmental Certification,
Form CSTM-NRM-2
. Contact the Environmental Affairs Division’s (ENV), Environmental Resources Management Section (ERMS) or the Support Services Division’s (SSD) Recycling Coordinator for additional information and guidance.