What is deconstruction?
Deconstruction is the process of disassembling buildings that would otherwise be demolished, generating a supply of materials suitable for reuse in the construction or rehabilitation of other structures. Deconstruction benefits include resource conservation and the diversion of materials from landfills, as well as job creation and job skill development. Deconstruction is an environmentally and socially responsible alternative to demolition that is beginning to receive attention from local policy-makers and nonprofit organizations around the country.
Challenges – Growth in deconstruction activity in North Carolina faces some challenges. The market infrastructure for salvaged building materials is fledgling; the current lack of a formal distribution network for materials makes it difficult to sustain a market; and affordable warehouse space is difficult to find. In addition, the current customers for salvaged goods are typically looking for specialty materials. Expanding demand for more commonplace salvaged materials will take some effort. The availability of low cost landfill space and long demolition permit waiting periods may also be disincentives to deconstruction.
Solutions – State and local government support can help meet these challenges in a number of ways. Providing initial funding and technical assistance for collection and distribution centers has proven successful in several U.S. cities, such as Portland, Ore. The district government could also subsidize deconstruction needs such as affordable warehousing space, job training and outreach campaigns to educate construction contractors and the public about deconstruction benefits and products. These types of efforts are helping to spur the demand for supply and demand of salvaged materials in other cities.
Government could adopt policies to give preference to deconstruction projects over demolition, such as expedited review and procurement incentives. Such efforts can lead to increased contractor support for deconstruction and an increase in the number of facilities that accept salvaged materials. Also, streamlining both construction and environmental permitting can help to mitigate timing problems and increase the potential for connecting urban brownfields and deconstruction projects to achieve economic and environmental goals, and can mitigate the financial pressures to tear down buildings quickly as opposed to deconstructing them.
Additional resources:
A Guide to Deconstruction: An Overview of Destruction With a Focus on Community Development Opportunities U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
Deconstruction: Giving Old Buildings New Lives.1998, R. Sherman, N.C. State University. Contains a list of used building material businesses across North Carolina.
Final Report: Solid Waste Reduction Assistance Grant, Habitat for Humanity, Wake County, N.C., ReUse Center (2000)
