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… • • • • 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 www.fingerlakesreuse.org www.fingerlakesreuse.org www.fingerlakesreuse.org www.fingerlakesreuse.org www.fingerlakesreuse.org www.fingerlakesreuse.org www.fingerlakesreuse.org www.fingerlakesreuse.org clean insulation www.fingerlakesreuse.org bamboo flooring www.fingerlakesreuse.org porch flooring www.fingerlakesreuse.org roof trusses and vinyl siding www.fingerlakesreuse.org 100 2x4s www.fingerlakesreuse.org 100 2x6s www.fingerlakesreuse.org www.fingerlakesreuse.org www.fingerlakesreuse.org www.fingerlakesreuse.org www.fingerlakesreuse.org www.fingerlakesreuse.org www.fingerlakesreuse.org www.fingerlakesreuse.org www.fingerlakesreuse.org www.fingerlakesreuse.org www.fingerlakesreuse.org www.fingerlakesreuse.org www.fingerlakesreuse.org www.fingerlakesreuse.org www.fingerlakesreuse.org www.fingerlakesreuse.org www.fingerlakesreuse.org www.fingerlakesreuse.org www.fingerlakesreuse.org www.fingerlakesreuse.org www.fingerlakesreuse.org www.fingerlakesreuse.org www.fingerlakesreuse.org www.fingerlakesreuse.org www.fingerlakesreuse.org www.fingerlakesreuse.org www.fingerlakesreuse.org www.fingerlakesreuse.org www.fingerlakesreuse.org www.fingerlakesreuse.org www.fingerlakesreuse.org www.fingerlakesreuse.org www.fingerlakesreuse.org www.fingerlakesreuse.org www.fingerlakesreuse.org www.fingerlakesreuse.org www.fingerlakesreuse.org www.fingerlakesreuse.org www.fingerlakesreuse.org www.fingerlakesreuse.org www.fingerlakesreuse.org 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