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Pacific Southwest, Region 9

Serving: Arizona, California, Hawaii, Nevada, Pacific Islands, Tribal Nations

Solid Waste Projects

Funded Grant Projects Quick Finder
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Resource Conservation Fund

Construction and Demolition Debris Grants

Construction and Demolition Debris

Stardust Non-Profit Building Supplies, Inc., Phoenix, AZ, FY01, $40,000,
Residential Deconstruction Program

Stardust Inc., a non-profit that focuses on re-using materials to benefit the needy, developed a formal program and manual for deconstructing and recovering reusable construction and home improvement materials from residential properties. In addition, the program educated homeowners and the construction industry on the benefits of reuse. The program processed 826 homes to reclaim 711.3 tons of reusable building materials valued at over $605,800. The materials salvaged ranged from sinks and toilets to stoves, microwaves and lighting fixtures. The recovered materials were then sold at reduced prices to non-profits and families in need. A tax credit was given as an incentive to those who may have taken extra time in their construction projects to allow de-construction.

For more information please see the Stardust Building Supplies website Exiting EPA (disclaimer)
   Deconstruction Manual (PDF) (16 pp, 244K)
   Project presentation (PDF) (36 pp, 1.5MB)

Contact: Timonie Hood (hood.timonie@epa.gov), 415-972-3282

Chartwell School, Seaside, CA, FY04, $29,400
Design for Deconstruction Manual

Chartwell School is a K-8 school that educates children with dyslexia and related language learning disabilities. A new school building was constructed to provide a high performance educational environment that showcases design principles to enhance learning. The building is designed to meet U.S. Green Building Council Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) platinum rating, and will be a model in demonstrating design for adaptability concepts. The building utilized recycled Construction and Demolition Debris which makes up approximately 40% of the total U.S. solid waste stream. The project developed a case study and associated manual for building professionals on how to construct and deconstruct buildings so that the materials can be reused and recycled instead of landfilled. Features developed include new fastening systems for Structural Insulated Panel connections, framing and paving techniques, nail-free paneling, and centralized utility raceway systems.

Contact: Timonie Hood (hood.timonie@epa.gov), 415-972-3282

Materials for the Future Foundation, San Francisco, CA, FY97, $201,800
Deconstruction and Reuse Project

This project provided on-the-job-training in deconstruction and general construction skills on multiple projects to 189 individuals including more than 150 youth participants. Twelve, primarily wood framed buildings were deconstruction to divert 2,119 tons of material, including 829,200 board feet of lumber from landfill disposal. The greenhouse gas emissions reductions associated with the building materials reuse was calculated using EPA's online Waste Reduction Model. The project reduced greenhouse gas emissions by 898 Metric Tons of Carbon Equivalent (MTCE) -- roughly the amount emitted annually by 675 cars. By working with labor unions, job training programs, and community development groups, the project also leveraged more than $648,000 in outside funding.

Contact: Timonie Hood (hood.timonie@epa.gov), 415-972-3282

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