The Challenges of
Deconstruction
www.fingerlakesreuse.org
Finger Lakes ReUse, Inc.
A 501(c)(3) nonprofit community organization
incorporated in 2007
OUR MISSION:
To enhance community,
economy, and environment
through ReUse
www.fingerlakesreuse.org
OUR GOALS:
To reduce waste
To relieve poverty
To teach job skills
www.fingerlakesreuse.org
Who we are
• A community organization
– transforming waste into wealth
• A social enterprise
– applying market-based strategies to
achieve a social purpose
www.fingerlakesreuse.org
Who we are
• 14 living wage employees with health
benefits (12.1 FTE)
• 3,000 volunteer hours in 2010
• 2,000 job training hours in 2010
• 2010 hired 4 people who were formerly
unemployed, including two receiving
social services
www.fingerlakesreuse.org
What we do
• ReUse Center – Furniture, Housewares,
Building Materials, CONVENIENT in a
mall, OPEN 7 DAYS
• Proactive Procurement – Pick up and
Deconstruction Services, insures quality
• eCenter – Computers & Electronics
refurbishing program
www.fingerlakesreuse.org
Deconstruction is:
• SAFE! … SAFETY FIRST!
• THE RIGHT THING TO DO!
• ENVIRONMENTALLY SUPERIOR!
• A WAY TO BRING ECONOMIC
DEVELOPMENT TO OUR
COMMUNITIES!
www.fingerlakesreuse.org
Three Main Challenges of
Deconstruction:
1. TIME
2. MONEY
3. POLITICS
www.fingerlakesreuse.org
Three Main Challenges of
Deconstruction:
3. MONEY
2. POLITICS
# 1. TIME
www.fingerlakesreuse.org
MONEY…
•
•
•
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High labor costs
Prevailing wage projects
High insurance rates
Year-round season difficult to
maintain
www.fingerlakesreuse.org
MONEY…
• Costs of labor-intensive
deconstruction offset by
– tipping fee cost avoidance
– tax-benefits
• Labor Union partnerships? Institute
for Local Self Reliance (ilsr.org)
• Offset operational costs through
retail outlet (set this up first?)
• Easiest challenge to overcome…
www.fingerlakesreuse.org
POLITICS…
• I am NOT an expert
• Growing advocacy in
government
• Continue to articulate social
and economic benefits
www.fingerlakesreuse.org
POLITICS…
• Highlight…
– Construction & green job
training opportunities
• Pictures are effective…
– Job training
– Materials salvaged
– Time lapse project series
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clean insulation
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bamboo flooring
www.fingerlakesreuse.org
porch flooring
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roof trusses and vinyl siding
www.fingerlakesreuse.org
100 2x4s
www.fingerlakesreuse.org
100 2x6s
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TIME…
• The BIGGEST obstacle
• Need to get in early in the
planning process
• Must have ample time for
deconstruction process:
– Denailing lumber on site or…
– Off-site processing area
www.fingerlakesreuse.org
TIME…
• EDUCATE the STAKEHOLDERS:
Encourage EARLY planning:
– Specified by architects
– Supported by owners
– Required/encouraged by
permitting authority
• Counter resistance with PR
benefits, cost benefits
www.fingerlakesreuse.org
DECONSTRUCTION:
A growing industry
A safe practice
An environmental necessity
An economic stimulator
www.fingerlakesreuse.org
RESOURCES:
Institute for Local Self Reliance
www.ilsr.org
Building Materials ReUse Association
www.bmra.org
Decon ’11 – May 15-19, 2011
www.bmra.org
www.fingerlakesreuse.org
Diane Cohen, Executive Director
Finger Lakes ReUse, Inc.
2255 N. Triphammer Rd.
Ithaca, NY 14850
(607) 257-9699 office
(607) 351-9491 mobile
diane@fingerlakesreuse.org
www.fingerlakesreuse.org
www.fingerlakesreuse.org