Deconstruction as Circular Economics

By targeting demolition waste, the city of San Antonio, Texas, spurs material reuse with its new deconstruction ordinance.

In linking the waste reduction effort to other priorities, the city is able to send less to landfills and make progress on zero waste aspirations.

As the city begins implementation, it aspires to zero waste in construction, municipal government operations, and beyond.

City leaders say the intersectional nature of the ordinance — with its benefits for affordable housing, public health, and job creation — could represent a key way to garner support for waste reduction efforts.

It seeks to address the more than 500 buildings demolished in San Antonio annually and the $16 million worth of salvageable building materials that were landfilled in that period.

It also stipulates that certain buildings already slated for demolition must undergo deconstruction as an alternative to mechanical demolition.

While deconstruction is considered a more cost-intensive option at the outset, it’s estimated to be a more efficient option when weighing:

• Environmental costs.
• The ability to put materials back into the economy.
• Job creation associated with the process.

The ordinance gradually expands deconstruction requirements for demolition permits to more structures, based on various age, zoning and conservation factors.

To read more about this and other, similar efforts, please click here.

Work in the demolition industry? Have salvageable building materials to recycle? Reach out today to discuss implementing your own custom recycling program: here, 214-574-4100, or contact@venturemet.com!

Credit: Waste Dive.