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GLOSSARY
Deconstruction for Reuse
Deconstruction is the process of carefully dismantling buildings to salvage components for reuse and recycling. Deconstruction can be applied on a number of levels to salvage usable materials and significantly cut waste.
Deconstruction has many benefits, including the following:
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Maximizes the recovery of materials.
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Conserves finite, old-growth forest resources.
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Provides many employment and job training opportunities.
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When coupled with traditional demolition methods, allows communities to create local economic activities around manufacturing or reprocessing salvaged materials.
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Diverts demolition debris bound for disposal
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Preserves resources through reuse.
What Are C&D Materials?
Construction and demolition (C&D) materials are generated when new building and civil-engineering structures are built and when existing buildings and civil-engineering structures are renovated or demolished (including deconstruction activities). Civil-engineering structures include public works projects, such as streets and highways, bridges, utility plants, piers, and dams.
C&D materials often contain bulky, heavy materials such as:
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Concrete
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Wood (from buildings)
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Asphalt (from roads and roofing shingles)
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Gypsum (the main component of drywall)
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Metals
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Bricks
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Glass
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Plastics
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Salvaged building components (doors, windows, and plumbing fixtures)
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Trees, stumps, earth, and rock from clearing sites
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