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Demolition vs. Deconstruction: How Shifting to Reuse Impacts the Environment and Economy

Construction and demolition waste accounts for upwards of 40% of the US waste stream. In 2018 alone, the US generated 600 million tons of construction and demolition debris. Of that, 90% was from demolition with the remaining 10% coming from construction.

Construction and demolition waste accounts for upwards of 40% of the US waste stream. In 2018 alone, the US generated 600 million tons of construction and demolition debris. Of that, 90% was from demolition with the remaining 10% coming from construction.

This has become a major problem globally, particularly as the “take, make, waste” economy has prevailed. In fact, not only is construction and demolition a primary contributor to waste, it’s also one of the biggest users of the Earth’s raw materials.

Now there are efforts large and small in communities the world over to make construction more circular. And one way of doing that is to extend the life of construction materials by cycling rather than landfilling them –– an effort that will require the buy-in of everyone from home and building owners to architects to construction professionals and designers.

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