environmental stewardship of used building materials · environmental stewardship of used building...
TRANSCRIPT
Why We Exist
• Second chances
• Personal redemption
• Current practices are unfair
and cost too much
• Work matters
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• Quick, efficient, cheap
• Majority of used building materials are buried
in landfills
• In 2013, 1.6 million tons of construction
“waste” was generated in MN
• Only 18% diverted from landfills statewide
• 1,341,167 tons of building material buried
• Produced 3,742,000 metric tons of CO2e
emissions
Throwing Away Building MaterialsA Wasteful Practice
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Why Reuse Buildings
• Substantial Environmental
Benefits
• Social Benefits for Families
and Community
• Creates Local Jobs
• Earns Revenue
• Demolition is not a
sustainable practice
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The Richfield Project
• Disassemble a building in a safe and methodical manner
• Preserve maximum amount of reusable materials
• Recycle most of remaining materials
• Remove foundation and clear lot for next use
• Sell reclaimed materials on-line & in warehouse
• 12-14 days to take apart a typical house
• Divert 80%-90% of the materials from landfill
• Net zero emissions an achievable outcome
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TOWARDS NET ZERO GHG EMISSIONS:LANDFILL vs RECYCLING ONLY vs DECONSTRUCTION
Landfill Demolition Demolition w/ Off-Site Recycling Deconstruction
Mix of Materials
ReUse
Cabinets, light fixtures, wood flooring, windows, wood trim, roof and floor decking, lumber, sinks, toilets, tubs
Recycling
Steel, concrete, other metals, wood, cardboard, and sometimes shingles
Observations
Main drivers of the deconstruction cost model:
•staffing mix and size;
•efficient deployment of staff
•effective project management
•final demolition expenses
•the age, quality, and size of building
•overhead expenses
Observations
High quality and high value
Medium quality and value
Low quality, low value
Building built before 19503000 sq ft or largerAn appraisal of $30K or more is likelyOld barns
The older the home the better1500-2000 sq ftMarginal need for an appraisal
but high value for structural lumber if older building
Private owners are willing to pay a higher cost for deconstruction since tax deduction for materials can make project cost effective
Public owners value the positive return of creating and typically value the significant increases of recycling and reuse
Observations
• Need advice from others and benchmarking
• Create a marketplace for reclaimed materials
• Manufacture new products from reclaimed materials
• Deconstruction goals and policies have been established in dozens of cities and counties nationwide.
• These policies have fueled the growth of deconstruction services and reuse stores into sustainable business enterprises.
Observations• Counties must report recycling rates for household
waste and financial incentives are tied to these rates.
• Counties not required to report on the reuse, recycling, and diversion rates of C and D waste.
• Contractors need to be educated and coached
• Tax deduction can make deconstruction less expensive than demolition; but it takes longer
• Next generations of homeowners and consumers expect reuse
Recommendations Consider
• Establish goals and provide financial incentives
• Require much higher rates of reuse
• Provide incentives to deconstruct and reuse
• Support enterprises focused on deconstruction and reuse
• Purchase goods made from reclaimed materials
• Track the social, economic, and environmental benefits of deconstruction compared to demolition
A New Policy and PracticeState-Counties-Cities
• Focus on Net Zero Emissions
• Reuse at least 5% of the materials
• Recycle 70% of the materials
• Preservation/Reuse generates 7x more jobs
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