The US generates over 100 million tons of construction waste every year. That accounts for roughly 40 percent of the country's solid waste. Green demolition or deconstruction is the dismantling or demolition of a building so that as many of its elements as possible can be recycled or reused rather than going to waste and damaging the earth's fragile environment.
Green demolition is now mandatory in some cities. Developers will only get their permit deposits refunded if they prove that at least 50 percent or more of their construction waste was reused or recycled. Some states have waste facilities that will accept construction waste in bulk for a higher fee while others require the materials to be separated before they can be processed.
Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle
Recycling is not cheap, which is why it's the last of the "three Rs" - reduce, reuse and recycle. Reducing requires advanced planning because it involves paying attention to the dimensions of the materials you'll need so you can get by without throwing out too much excess. This can be a time consuming process, but well worth the effort when it comes to reducing the amount of waste generated. This is especially true with cardboard, drywall and wood, the three most used construction materials. Reusing might be the most important of the three. Reusing has spawned a whole new market for used vintage materials, and these materials command a high price for their old world aesthetics.
All of the following materials can be reused in later projects if deconstructed properly:
- Wood floors and beams
- Windows and doors
- Fixtures and appliances
- Tiles and carpeting
- Aluminum siding
- Roofing materials
- Pipes
- Bricks
Green demolition takes time and also costs a lot more than "Dirty Demolition", about $10,000 more per job. You can make up some of the difference by saving money on landfill charges and also receive tax credits if you donate some of the materials. In addition, if you want your company to be LEED certified according to the United States Green Building Council standards, you'll need to use green demolition.
Green Demolition is becoming the standard not the exception, so make sure that your demolition company is up to the task and do your part to help the environment.