When it comes to building demolition projects, reducing our impact on the environment is always a factor. To that end, we employ a myriad of green demolition methods and practices to provide our customers with the most eco-friendly demolition services and debris removal possible. Let’s take a look at some of the methods we use to limit our environmental impact.
Selective Demolition
While some projects call for complete demolition, in many cases, we can provide you with selective demolition services. This is where we remove specific parts of a building while preserving other parts. This approach can save valuable materials and reduce waste.
Deconstruction
While videos of buildings imploding and crashing to the ground can be interesting to watch, most building demolition projects are far less dramatic. In many cases, demolition contractors carefully dismantle buildings to salvage reusable materials such as bricks, wood, cement and fixtures. This method minimizes waste and allows materials to be reused in new construction projects.
On-Site Material Sorting
Along the same lines as deconstruction, sorting materials on-site allows us to separate recyclables such as metal, concrete and wood from general waste. This makes it easier to recycle materials and it helps to reduce landfill usage.
Many materials can be recycled, including the following:
- Concrete – This can be crushed and reused as an aggregate for new concrete, road base or fill material. (Concrete demolition is one of our areas of specialization, by the way, so be sure to contact U.S. Demo for any concrete removal )
- Bricks – These can be cleaned and reused in new construction or for landscaping projects.
- Metals – Metals such as steel can be melted down and reused, while copper can be recycled and used for electrical wiring. Iron and aluminum are two additional metals that can be recycled and reused.
- Wood – Timber, plywood and panels often can be repurposed for new construction projects as well as other uses.
- Glass – Glass from windows and other glass materials often can be salvaged and transformed into new glass projects or used to create fiberglass.
- Asphalt – If we are providing you with driveway removal as well as building demolition, this asphalt can be reclaimed and reused in new asphalt pavement, roofing materials or as an aggregate.
- Gypsum – This material is used in drywall and can be recycled to create new drywall or used for cement production or perhaps even as an agricultural soil amendment.
- Plastics – Plastic items such as PVC and other plastics often can be recycled and used for new plastic products.
- Insulation – Both fiberglass and foam insulation can be used to create new insulation.
- Roofing Materials – Shingles can often be recycled to create new shingles or asphalt paving. Metal roofing can be recycled into new metal products.
- Fixtures & Fittings – Lighting and plumbing fixtures can be salvaged and reused.
- Electronics & Appliances – In some cases these can be reused, but, in general, any type of e-waste must be taken to an appropriate facility where any salvageable material will be removed.
- Carpets & Flooring – Carpeting, linoleum and hardwood flooring can be recycled into new materials or, with wood, reclaimed and reused.
- Hazardous Materials – While materials such as lead-based paint or asbestos cannot be recycled, we must separate these items and remove them carefully and following all applicable regulations. These items cannot be placed into the landfill, and we typically remove hazardous materials first to ensure safety.
Dust Control
There’s no getting around the fact that a demolition project will generate some level of dust. We can implement dust control and dust suppression techniques such as water spraying, misting systems and barriers to prevent the spread of dust and reduce air pollution.
U.S. Demo – Environmentally-Friendly Demolition Services
At U.S. Demo and Hauling, we do all we can to ensure that every demo project is as environmentally safe as possible. We offer a wide range of services to clients throughout the San Francisco Bay Area. In addition to building demolition, we can provide you with the following services:
Concrete Demo & Concrete Hauling
