Back in 2008, a total of 136 million tons of construction waste was generated in the United States. According to the Whole Building Design Guide, this accounted for about 40 percent of the total solid waste in the country. It is this realization that led to the introduction of green demolitions done by interior demolition contractors in Toronto. As a matter of fact, green demolition has been made mandatory in many cities – developers only get their deposit refunded if they are able to prove that at least 50 percent of the construction waste has been recycled or reused. To promote green clearance, there are many waste disposal facilities that take in construction waste for recycling. So what is green demolition?
What is a Green Demolition?
Green demolition is a deconstruction method that involves dismantling buildings with more focus on reusing the parts or recycling them. The goal is to have as minimal an environmental impact as possible. Unlike conventional demolition, which often involves bulldozing a structure, green demolition requires a team of specialists to take the building apart by hand. This often involves working backward from how the building was built. The removed parts are then donated, reused in construction, recycled, or placed in landfills. The majority of the materials never get to landfills. When you go green demolition, about 50 to 85 percent of the construction waste will be reused.
As you might know, recycling can be expensive. That is why in green demolitions, contractors focus mostly on reducing and reusing. Reducing involves thorough planning. It focuses on the materials that will be required to reduce waste. This is particularly so regarding drywalls, cardboard, and wood. Reusing is the most important step of a green demolition. It focuses on removing materials carefully so that they are reusable. Some of the materials that can be reused include:
- Bricks
- Pipes
- Wood beams and floors
- Doors and windows
- Fixtures and appliances
- Aluminum siding
- Carpeting and tiles
- Roofing materials
It is important to note that when you go green demolition, you will end up paying more for the demolition. Green demolition is about $10,000 more expensive than conventional demolition. However, it is good to note that you will save money that would otherwise be charged for landfills. You will also qualify for amazing tax credits when you donate the construction materials. Moreover, if you own a demolition company and wish to get the LEED Certification by the United States Green Building Council standards, you will have to use green demolitions.
What is Green Clearance, and Why is it Important?
According to the EPA states, demolition waste in 2018 accounted for about 90% of all demolition and construction waste. That is about 600 million tons. This means that even with green demolition being an option, more contractors are choosing to haul unwanted scraps and items to landfills. This is probably because most people are not familiar with the benefits of going with green demolition.
The worst news is that the amount of waste resulting from construction and demolition projects is still skyrocketing – but this doesn’t have to be all bad. Companies that deal with scrap metal and second-hand appliances and offer salvage yards can take advantage and grow their businesses. However, to encourage construction and demolition companies to focus more on green demolitions, sustainable salvage yards have to set better prices for their services. This is because when the landfills are cheaper and there are no regulations for waste disposal, sustainable materials are being incinerated or thrown away effectively. This practice must be avoided because many materials can be recycled, including asphalt, gypsum, steel, concrete, and wood.
As you may have deduced, green demolition is the key to a global trend that leads to sustainability. By applying the ‘three Rs’ (reduce, reuse, and recycle) when demolishing a building, there will be less waste. The best news is that more construction companies are embracing green demolition. There are also guidelines and laws that guarantee that future projects are undertaken with sustainability in mind. This has led to green buildings. What does green building mean? Green building is a new trend where structures are created using a process that is environmentally responsible as well as resource-efficient.
Advantages of Green Demolition
Green demolitions offer myriad benefits. It is a great option for homeowners that want to save resources and money. The benefits include:
● Waste minimization
Conventional demolition projects mostly reuse and/or recycle about 15 to 20 percent of the demolition waste. On the other hand, green deconstruction focuses on recycling or reusing more than 50 percent of the waste. This is achieved by identifying and establishing measurable metrics that enhance the reusing and recycling of demolition materials.
● Maximizes reuse and recycling
A green demolition enhances the reuse potential by introducing both reuse and recycling’s Best Management Practices goals early in the demolition planning process. This gives adequate time for building surveys and identifying the best reuse and recycling local partners before the demolition work starts.
● Reduces environmental impact
Green demolitions involve a lot of planning. Needless to say, proper planning helps reduce the environmental impact of a deconstruction project. Planning helps reduce greenhouse gas emissions and fugitive dust emissions and prevent water quality degradation, among other things.
● Creates job opportunities
Green demolition is hands-on. A large team will thus be required to take the building apart. As a result, the type of building deconstruction creates local job opportunities. It also keeps recycling companies in business while reducing the amount of waste that ends up in landfills.
Other benefits include:
- Avoids resource wastage by reusing or recycling anything salvageable
- May attract local rebates
- Demolition waste can be donated to reuse stores for some credits
- All reusable materials will be preserved
Disadvantages of Green Demolition
While numerous benefits come with green deconstruction, there are two key drawbacks.
● It takes longer
Conventional home demolitions take a maximum of five days. Green demolition projects can take up to 10 days. Green demolitions take longer because everything is done by hand. There is less reliance on heavy machinery, and care has to be taken to salvage as much of the construction materials as possible.
● It adds labour costs
Green deconstruction impacts your bottom line by increasing labour costs. Where a conventional demolition costs $10,000, a green demolition can cost $20,000. However, the costs of a green demolition can be mitigated by reusing and recycling construction materials. Thus, you will spend less on materials in your next reconstruction process. You can also take advantage of rebates that may be offered by your state municipality.
Now that you know what green demolition is, you will have to hire the right contractor for the job to enjoy the full benefits. Don’t simply hire the first company that is recommended to you. Take time to shift through the contractor’s testimonials, reviews, and pledge for sustainability. The contractor must also be compliant with local or state regulations. They should also be certified, licensed, and insured.
360 Demotion & Environmental Services is the best company you should contact when you want to go green demolition. The company works with experienced contractors offering the best services in green demolitions in Toronto and surrounding areas. This is the team to work with if you want a stress-free green demolition. Get in touch for a free quote.
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