Rebuilding Center

Rebuilding

Reuse and recycling of construction and demolition materials is one component of a larger comprehensive practice called sustainable or rebuilding construction. The efficient use of resources is a fundamental principle of rebuilding construction. This means reducing, reusing, and recycling most if not all materials that remain after a construction or renovation project. Rebuilding practices can include salvaging dimensional lumber from the project, using aggregates reclaimed from crushed concrete, or grinding drywall scraps for use on site as a soil amendment.

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 dismantling building components for reuse or recycling. In contrast to demolition, where buildings are knocked down and materials are either landfilled or recycled, deconstruction involves carefully taking apart portions of buildings or removing their contents with the primary goal being reuse. It can be as simple as stripping out cabinetry, fixtures, and windows, or as involved as manually taking apart the building frame.

Through careful planning, reuse and recycling of construction and demolition materials can actually be more economical than disposal.