Leftover drywall? Here’s how you can reduce, reuse, and recycle it.

In 2019, approximately 24 billion square feet of drywall was sold in the United States. While the majority is used to make the walls of American homes and businesses, around 15% of it is discarded as waste. That adds up to an estimated 40 tons of drywall being thrown into our landfills every year.

Is drywall harmful to the environment?

While neither gypsum nor paper are inherently toxic, the materials are known to provide a rich breeding ground for microorganisms to grow. When introduced to organic matter in a landfill, these microorganisms convert the sulfate in gypsum into hydrogen sulfide, a rather foul-smelling and potentially lethal gas. The resulting odor can be so bad that many communities have banned the disposal of drywall altogether. Heavy rains can also bleed the gypsum directly into the soil, thus contaminating the groundwater supply.

In honor of Earth Day, let’s make a commitment to keep drywall out of our nation’s landfills. To help with that, here are some simple ways that you can reduce, reuse, and recycle the excess drywall from your next project.

Reduce the amount you need

Arguably the best drywall disposal solution is to avoid creating excess waste in the first place. Most home improvement stores and bulk suppliers offer several different sizes for you to choose from, so make sure you carefully measure the space you’re working on before you order.

Are you just doing a small patch job that doesn’t require a standard 4’ x 8’ piece? Many stores offer smaller cut pieces or are willing to do so upon request. Another option is to reach out to local contractors and DIYers and inquire about any scraps they may be willing to get rid of.

Reuse large scraps

Even if you carefully measure your space, chances are you will still be left with a small amount of excess drywall (better to have too much than too little, as they say). Before you resort to disposing of it, here are some simple and creative ways you can repurpose your drywall scraps in a valuable way:

• Save it for repairs: If you have the storage room, a bit of drywall is likely to come in handy for some future patchwork or for another small job. Just be sure to keep it in a dry location, as drywall is notoriously hospitable to mold and mildew growth.
• Share it: Return the favor and reach out to any local contractors or DIYers to see if they’re in need of any extra pieces. Or, if you have a substantial amount still in good shape, you can try giving it away for free online. Craigslist, Facebook Marketplace, and other similar sites are a great place to start.
• Use it to fertilize your garden or lawn: Drywall is made up of over 90% gypsum, which believe it or not, can be very beneficial to soil. Similar to limestone, one of the main ingredients in fertilizer, gypsum lowers the pH levels in the soil over time and improves its overall workability. Just peel off the drywall’s paper backing and grind it down into its powder form. Then simply spread it on your lawn or garden and reap the rewards.
• Add it to your compost: Similarly, crushed gypsum can add a lot of nutritive qualities to your compost bin. Just be warned, however, that decomposing drywall can be especially pungent.
• Get creative with it: If you or someone you know fancies themselves an artist, you can use small squares of leftover drywall as a cost-effective alternative to an overpriced canvas. While better left for test projects and more amateur works, the paper backing does provide a nice, flat surface that takes most paints rather well.

Recycle the rest

If you can’t find a creative new purpose for your excess drywall, the next best option is to recycle it. First, look into whether or not your community has a curbside or drop-off recycling program in place that will accept drywall. If there is, that’s great! Reach out and determine what requirements they may have in place, such as any quantity limits and if they take used pieces or only new scraps.

Recycled drywall is currently being used in the following ways:

• In the manufacturing of new drywall
• As an ingredient in fertilizer products
• As an additive in composting operations
• As an element in the production of cement

Finish your next project with a little help from Al’s

Al’s Taping Tools has been providing contractors and DIYers with the highest quality and most extensive selection of tools, parts, and accessories in the industry since 1985. Our experts are here to help you find easy ways to save time and money on your next project. Shop our products today to give yourself a leg up on any job site.