RECLAIMED MATERIALS

Reclaimed, recycled and reused building materials is one of the most sustainable options associated with our built environment. Building construction uses large quantities of natural resources; in fact, construction activities use 60 percent of the raw materials, other than food and fuel, used in the entire U.S. economy. And the nearly 170 million tons of annual building construction, renovation, and demolition derived wastes (commonly referred to as C&D materials) account for nearly 60% of the nation's non-industrial, non-hazardous solid waste generation.

A homeowner or contractor might choose to “deconstruct” rather than “demolish” the remodel site in order to reuse certain materials from the existing structure. Not only does salvaging of existing materials save money in purchasing costs, it will also save on disposal costs.

Homeowners who hire a contractor for a remodel project should inquire into salvage and recycled options to save money and reduce unnecessary dumping.

What Makes Reclaimed, Recycled and Reused Materials Green?

• Reduces consumption of new resources
• Minimizes landfill waste and pollution
• Creates value-added markets from waste materials
• Expands job opportunities and workforce development skills
• Reduces greenhouse gas emissions by minimizing the need to extract and process raw materials and ship new material long distances

Iowa Resources

Barn Contractors in Iowa Listing
The Barn Journal lists Iowa contractors and businesses that specialize in barn repair, preservation, straightening and restoration.

Iowa Waste Exchange
Since 1990 the Iowa Waste Exchange has matched 3.2 million tons, keeping waste out of landfills and into our economy, saving Iowans $76 million by diverting this waste into production and use. The IWE maintains a database of over 13,000 available and wanted materials that is free to access.

The ReWall Company
100% recycled building materials. ReWall uses a proven European technology to recycle polyethylene-coated cups, cartons, and their components into building materials such as wall boards, sheathing and ceiling panels. The first U.S. ReWall products are manufactured in Des Moines, Iowa, and distributed nationally. They recycle some of the 2 million tons of polyethylene-coated cartons and cups that enter landfills every year. The manufacturing process is environmentally friendly and does not use added glue, water or chemicals.

Salvage Barn
Year-round, Friends of Historic Preservation (FHP) operates the Salvage Barn of architectural and historic building items that are at least 50 years old and no longer are sold commercially. The Salvage Barn serves as a centralized source for the owners of older homes or buildings to find historically appropriate materials for the repair and restoration of their property.

State Building Deconstruction & Recycling Inventory Publications
An Iowa Workforce Development Green Jobs's initiative - Designed for outside entities to access and use to inventory their buildings in need of deconstruction and recycling throughout the State of Iowa. Report details the status of buildings listed in need of destruction and contains best practices from other states and countries. Recommendations are made for identifying and promoting rehabilitation, preservation, deconstruction, recycling, and entrepreneurship in Iowa communities.

Triton Salvage and Deconstruction Program
Iowa Central Community College's Triton Salvage features materials that are 100% reclaimed or salvaged lumber. Each product is student-made.

Additional Resources

Building Materials Reuse Association
A national educational and research organization whose mission is to facilitate building deconstruction and the reuse / recycling of recovered building materials. BMRA increases opportunities for the recovery and reuse of building materials in an environmentally sound and financially sustainable way.

EPA's Lifecycle Construction Resource Guide (PDF)
Under ideal circumstances, buildings would be designed for deconstruction and built using materials recovered from other build­ ings that themselves had been designed for deconstruction. In reality, of course, it is not possible to achieve a completely closed- loop building lifecycle (i.e., to eliminate the need for any new materials or systems). But adhering to lifecycle construction principles whenever possible can provide meaningful benefits by reducing the energy and resource consumption required to produce the neces­sary building materials and systems and by reducing solid waste.

EPA's Using Recycled Industrial Materials in Buildings Guide (PDF)
Discusses the benefits and uses for recycled industrial materials in buildings as an alternative to virgin materials and building products.

PlanetReuse
Initially an internet-based material brokerage, PlanetReuse has evolved into a consulting and brokering company focused on providing the insight, experience and materials its clients need. With a well-defined and efficient process, PlanetReuse expertly matches materials with designers, builders and owners to save projects money, serve LEED efforts and sustain the planet. Locations in Kansas City and Chicago.