As Maryland strives to meet its ambitious climate goals such as net zero emissions by 2045, innovative approaches to sustainability are essential. One approach is accelerating the circular economy – a system that reuses, recycles, and refurbishes products and materials to reduce waste. Construction and demolition (C&D) waste is one of the largest waste streams in the world. Key to the circular economy is deconstruction—an environmentally friendly alternative to mechanical demolition. This blog post explores how deconstruction can play a vital role in supporting Maryland’s climate and heritage goals and fostering a more sustainable future.
What is Deconstruction?
Deconstruction is the process of partially or fully dismantling a structure to maximize the recovery of reusable material. Sometimes called “construction in reverse” or “unbuilding,” deconstruction removes a building by selective disassembly of structural and non-structural building components. This old tradition stands in contrast to conventional demolition, which uses mechanical equipment like bulldozers and wrecking balls to raze a building quickly, which results in large quantities of waste being sent to landfills and generates harmful dust/particulate matter. Deconstruction aims to maximize material recovery and minimize environmental and health impact.
Benefits of Deconstruction
1. Waste Reduction
Traditional demolition generates substantial amounts of construction and demolition (C&D) waste, much of which ends up in landfills. Deconstruction significantly reduces this waste by salvaging materials that would otherwise be discarded. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, commonly reused C&D materials include doors, hardware, wood elements, brick, concrete and masonry. By diverting waste from landfills, deconstruction helps Maryland reduce its overall waste footprint and conserve landfill space.
3. Reduced Greenhouse Gas Emissions
The production of new building materials is energy-intensive and generates significant greenhouse gas emissions. By reusing materials, deconstruction reduces the need for new production, thereby lowering emissions. Additionally, deconstruction can help sequester carbon by preserving the embodied energy in salvaged materials, contributing to Maryland’s climate goals. There are numerous architectural salvage warehouses in Maryland where folks can shop for reclaimed building materials.
4. Economic Opportunities
Deconstruction creates jobs and stimulates the local economy. In a 2021 study called Treasure in the Walls: Reclaiming Value Through Material Reuse in San Antonio, it was shown that reuse/refurbishment produces 300 jobs per 10,000 tons of waste compared to 1-6 jobs in the traditional landfilling/incineration process. Skilled labor is required to carefully dismantle buildings and process salvaged materials, leading to job creation in the deconstruction and recycling industries. Furthermore, the resale of reclaimed materials can generate revenue and support local businesses.
5. Preservation of Historical and Architectural Value
Deconstruction allows for the preservation of unique historical and architectural elements that might otherwise be lost in demolition. Salvaging these materials not only conserves cultural heritage but also provides valuable resources for restoration projects and new construction that respects historical contexts.
How Deconstruction Supports Maryland’s Climate Goals
It is estimated that deconstruction can keep at least 80% of building material waste out of landfills, which means that most building materials can be salvaged for either reuse or recycling. Deconstruction offers the opportunity to shift to a circular economy from the existing linear economy. A circular economy is an economic system that aims to reduce waste and maximize resources through repair and reuse of materials versus landfilling.
1. Aligning with State Policies
Maryland has set ambitious climate goals, including reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 40% by 2030 and achieving net-zero emissions by 2045. Deconstruction directly supports these goals by reducing emissions associated with the construction industry. Promoting deconstruction can help Maryland align with its policy objectives and demonstrate leadership in sustainable practices. There are already federal and local policy examples; the federal level, the U.S. Army Corp of Engineers adopted a deconstruction policy in 2013. At a municipal level, San Jose, CA (2001), Madison, WI (2010), Cook County, IL (2012), Portland, OR (2016), and Palo Alto (2020), and San Antonio, TX (2022) have all implemented deconstruction or waste diversion programs.
2. Enhancing Climate Justice and Employment
Minority neighborhoods are subjected to mechanical demolition are higher rates, leading to adverse health outcomes. Deconstruction promotes public health particularly of children who absorb lead dust more efficiently than adults. Switching to deconstruction also offers significant employment opportunities to these residents. A recent national survey of the deconstruction industry revealed that the total labor income (direct, indirect and induced) from deconstruction is nearly four times that of demolition.
Advancing Deconstruction in Maryland
Maryland has an active deconstruction advocate community and workforce, but there are huge opportunities to expand statewide. Nonprofit organizations such as Edmonston’s Community Forklift serve as a warehouse for recirculating home improvement supplies, and the City of Baltimore is poised to introduce a citywide deconstruction ordinance.
To effectively implement deconstruction and maximize its benefits, Maryland should consider several strategic actions:
1. Policy and Regulatory Support
- Mandates and Incentives: Introduce regulations that mandate deconstruction for certain types of buildings and provide incentives for developers who choose deconstruction over demolition. Incentives could include tax credits, grants, or reduced permitting fees.
- Building Codes: Update building codes to facilitate and encourage the reuse of salvaged materials in new construction projects.
Example: Portland, OR deconstruction ordinance.
2. Education and Training
- Workforce Development: Invest in training programs to develop a skilled workforce capable of performing deconstruction and processing salvaged materials. Partner with community colleges and trade schools to offer deconstruction certification programs to existing demolition businesses that can expand their service offerings.
- Public Awareness Campaigns: Launch campaigns to educate property owners, developers, and the general public about the benefits of deconstruction and the availability of reclaimed materials.
Example: San Antonio, TX certified deconstruction contractor training.
3. Infrastructure and Market Development
- Material Recovery Facilities: Establish and support facilities that process and store salvaged materials, making it easier for developers and contractors to access reclaimed resources.
- Marketplaces for Reclaimed Materials: Promote the creation of online and physical marketplaces where salvaged materials can be bought and sold, encouraging their reuse in construction projects.
Example: SalvagedPGH, a Pittsburg, PA based salvage business.
Conclusion
Deconstruction offers a sustainable and economically beneficial alternative to traditional demolition, aligning perfectly with Maryland’s climate goals and the principles of the circular economy. Through supportive policies, education, and reusing materials, Maryland can lead the way in integrating deconstruction into its development strategies, ensuring a greener, more resilient state for generations to come.