 According to the 2004 Statewide Waste Characterization Study in California, construction and demolition materials account for almost 22% of waste. EnviroCitizen.org has found that many of these materials can be reused or recycled, thus prolonging our supply of natural resources and potentially saving money in the process. Common materials include lumber, drywall, metals, brick, carpet, plastic, pipe, rocks, cardboard, or even paper waste related to land development. Of these, metals are the most commonly recycled material while lumber makes up the majority of debris that still goes to a landfill.
Reducing waste can save you money, conserve energy/resources and reduce air, soil and water pollution. Online, you can find real options for recycling, reducing or reusing solid waste products. There are several entities that can help you with technical and financial assistance.
The reuse and recycling of construction materials are two components of green building construction. The efficient use of resources is a fundamental tenet of green building construction. This means reducing, reusing and recycling most if not all materials that remain after a construction or renovation project. Green building construction practices can include salvaging otherwise wasted lumber from the project, using materials reclaimed from re-crushed concrete or using glass for countertops.
At the end of a building's life, demolition generates large amounts of materials that can be reused or recycled, principally wood, concrete and other types of masonry and drywall. Rather than demolish an entire building, consider deconstructing all or part of the structure. Deconstruction is the orderly disassembling building components for reuse or recycling. In contrast to demolition, where buildings are knocked down and materials are either put in landfills or recycled, deconstruction involves carefully taking apart pieces of buildings with the main goal being reuse. It can be as simple as stripping out cabinetry, fixtures and windows, or as even going as far as taking apart timbers from a frame. From there, the pieces can be used for other purposes.
Through careful planning, EnviroCitizen.org has discovered that the reuse and recycling of construction materials can actually be more economical than disposal. It is also one of the best ways that you can prevent waste from reaching the already filled landfills that harbor mounds of refuse. This is one of the many ways that you can improve your green building project and make sure that every aspect, from beginning to end, is environmentally friendly.
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