How to Transition from Traditional Demolition to Sustainable Circular Construction

Brief

Discover how the construction industry is shifting from implosive demolition methods to sustainable deconstruction practices, promoting material reuse and circular construction for a greener future.

Insight

Watching a building being demolished is undeniably riveting, but traditional implosive methods have become increasingly viewed as wasteful in today’s eco-conscious world. Rather than seeing structural components end up in landfills, there’s a growing emphasis on sustainable deconstruction practices.

The initial step is decommissioning, a process that delves deeper than simply disconnecting utilities. It involves a detailed analysis of the building’s contents to determine what can be reused, recycled, or discarded. Jonathan Waltr of RE3 Solutions highlights the significance of this phase, noting its role in facilitating informed decisions about material retention. Reusable items might include office equipment, while non-viable items could be sold or donated.

Subsequent to decommissioning is deconstruction. Unlike implosive demolition, deconstruction is methodical and time-intensive, focused on preserving materials for future use or recycling. This eco-friendly method has grown in popularity over the years, as it reduces waste and lowers the carbon footprint of new constructions made with salvaged materials.

The concept of “material passports”, proposed by Dutch architect Thomas Rau, is gaining traction. These digital catalogues document the properties of building materials, ensuring their recycling potential is clear. The Netherlands, championing this idea, has even introduced fiscal incentives for developers employing material passports in their projects.

However, deconstruction isn’t always feasible. Some projects might find the process too costly or time-intensive, particularly when preserving delicate components. Yet, even in these situations, parts of a building, like concrete or steel, can be recycled.

The advent of material passports paves the way for “circular construction”. As foreseen by Pablo van den Bosch of Madaster, future constructions could directly receive deconstructed materials, reducing storage and transportation costs. This digital evolution promises both economic and environmental benefits.

Highlight

deconstruction is methodical and time-intensive, focused on preserving materials for future use or recycling.
This eco-friendly method has grown in popularity over the years, as it reduces waste and lowers the carbon footprint of new constructions made with salvaged materials.
The advent of material passports paves the way for “circular construction”. As foreseen by Pablo van den Bosch of Madaster, future constructions could directly receive deconstructed materials, reducing storage and transportation costs