Instead of knocking down old buildings with bulldozers and wrecking balls, “deconstructionists” dismantle them board by board, brick by brick, tile by tile. Since the construction industry consumes over 1/3 of the raw materials entering the global economy, 11% of the total energy expended in the United States, and occupies 15%-20% (40% in WA) of landfill area, reusing building materials not only reduces consumption but decreases waste as well. Reused building materials proliferate at Bayview Corner; sinks, water faucets and changing tables in the composting building. Doors from the Coe Elementary School in Seattle were salvaged and reused in the Sears House. Old hardware was found and repaired rather then purchased new whenever possible.



SUSTAINABLE FOR THE EARTH

• Reduces consumption of raw materials & energy
  
• Controls asbestos, lead & dust from demolition
  
• Reduces contributions to landfills
  
• Reduces burning of unwanted materials
• Create a useful product from “waste”
  

SUSTAINABLE FOR THE WALLET

• Eliminate/reduce disposal costs
  
• Deconstruction creates jobs
  
• Often a reduction or “break even” on cost
  
• High demand in reused old growth lumber for flooring
• Profit from selling materials offsets cost of demolition
  

Who uses it?
Reused building materials are becoming more and more popular, not just for their ecological advantages, but for their unique aesthetic characteristics as well. Organizations such as the Restore in Bellingham and Ballard provide an outlet for material recycling and exchange. Habitat for Humanity also reuses and recycles building materials. Other companies such as those listed below have provided much needed materials while achieving significant cost savings.

• The Walt Disney World Company donated more than 350,000 pounds of building materials to local nonprofit organizations and affordable housing projects.
  
• Polk County, Iowa, reused 10,500 pounds of furniture and saved $50,000 through auctions and an equipment sharing program. The county also created an equipment sharing catalog for all county agencies and departments to encourage sharing equipment by departments to fill anticipated, intermittent, and short term needs.
  
• Accent Construction saved $35,000 by donating more than 12,000 pounds of excess building materials.
  
• Battelle Memorial Institute donated or resold more than 286,600 pounds of used equipment to local organizations. Additionally, Battelle gave scrap print shop supplies to an artists' organization and used computer equipment, office furniture, and books to local schools and non profits. Combined, these actions saved Battelle more than $674,500.
  

What about codes?
In general, materials may be freely used as long as they comply with stipulations set by the applicable code. The Uniform Building Code gives code officials the ability to authorize alternate materials provided they meet the standards of suitability, strength, effectiveness, fire resistance ,durability, safety and sanitation. In some cases concerning safety or structural capability, testing and engineering may be required.