Wednesday, December 14, 2011

Trending: don't demolish, deconstruct!

Over 270,000 houses are demolished each year in the United States, resulting in for example over 1 billion board feet of lumber added to dumps and landfill. According to the Deconstruction Institute, it would be possible to build a wall 30 feet high and 30 feet wide all around the continental United States with all the debris of these demolished buildings!
A concept gaining momentum: rather than demolish and cart the debris off to a landfill, why not invest in a deconstrution, salvage and reuse program?
Deconstruction is a longer and more labor-intensive process, so it will cost more. However, one will save on landfill charges, possibly obtain tax rebates either through a municipal or state program (check your local tax codes) or by deduction via donation (Habitat, for instance), save by re-using certain materials in the new construction, and possibly generate some income through sales (like old kitchen cabinets, molding trim, doors, etc).
Although the movement is not new, it is still small and underdeveloped, although gaining momentum. Some localities have embraced the concept and make it attractive for owners to pursue this route, others are lagging and regulations and costs still make it more attractive to dump; this will evolve over time.
Beyond the environmental benefits, there are social gains as well: the industry is in growth mode, adding not only construction laborer jobs, but green collar jobs as well, those involved in the collection, processing and redistribution of these recycled materials; a trend to watch!

http://realestate.msn.com/dont-demolish-that-old-house-recycle-it?page=0

1 comment:

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