Dist. of Col. (Washington DC), USA - Removing the Roadblocks to Material Reuse

The sustainable design industry has made a strong and growing commitment to reusing and integrating previously manufactured materials in a wide range of innovative projects. Design teams are recognizing that the utilization of reclaimed materials not only
extends the life of resources, but also can contribute aesthetically and, in many cases, structurally to the overall quality of a project. However, finding first rate materials, of suitable quality and quantity can pose significant challenges. It is difficult enough to
find new materials that are within the required distances to project sites for high-level projects striving for LEED certification or participating in the Living
Building Challenge (TM). While new materials are generally well-publicized and widely distributed, sourcing reclaimed material options are not. So how are project teams to overcome the barriers associated with material reuse? Instead of thinking of reclaimed materials solely as decorative elements that are added so that one can employ use of the word 'reclaimed' as a description in the specifications or on the drawings for a project, they need to be integrated into the process from the initial project idea through to project com-
pletion. This fuller integration will help ensure that these buildings have a reduced carbon footprint.

Many projects that are currently in design or construction and striving for 'Living Building' recognition are working through this exact issue - how to incorporate reclaimed material options into their projects. While suitable quality reclaimed materials may often be avail-
able in sufficient quantity and located within acceptable distances for a given project, the real problem rests in project teams knowing the availability of the needed materials and how to access them for their projects.

Roadblocks in the reuse of materials center around old habits and ideas that the industry has reinforced for years: the convenience of specifying new materials that are available in any quantity whenever we want; misperceptions that reclaimed materials are always
more expensive; uncertainty of the unknowns of reuse; and many more. But now we are able to reference and learn from the first three 'Living' projects and cite examples of successful design teams that are pushing the boundaries of industry standards. Where did the teams find materials? How did they source them while meeting tight design reviews and deadlines? And how do we learn from those projects to make it easier for
others in the future?

The sustainability movement is remarkably transparent. The sharing of ideas, solutions, challenges and triumphs is carried on throughout Cascadia's annual Living Future conference and this type of sharing needs to continue throughout the global design com-
munity when it comes to reclaimed materials. Over the past three years, we have seen many projects take new approaches, changing the way we look at materials and projects. Comments like "let us know what is available" and "we'll build the materials you have avail-
able into our project design" have become increasingly frequent for materials brokers and consultants in the reuse industry.

PlanetReuse, a reclaimed construction materials broker, had the privilege of sourcing reclaimed materials for two of the first three "Living" projects. Assisting with both the Omega Center for Sustainable Living and the Tyson Living Learning projects, Plan-
etReuse was brought in at different phases of each of the projects, but was able to work with the architects, contractors and owners to help source reclaimed materials such as rigid insulation board, beech wood paneling, interior doors and hardware, trim work,
toilet partitions and accessories, plywood, and dimensional framing. The project teams found it very beneficial to have a partner to locate the materials, coordinate logistics, manage for quality control, and arrange for delivery of materials to the jobsite
on time. "We could not have done it without their help…when we were not able to find a material option that would fit our tight timeframe in new material…reclaimed was a great alternative," commented Daniel Hellmuth of Hellmuth + Bicknese Architects
in reference to Washington University's Tyson Living Learning Center.

Documentation of the use of reclaimed materials in fifteen projects throughout North America appeared recently in Public Architecture's Design for Reuse Primer. The publication documents challenges and successes on projects that incorporated reclaimed materials into their designs. Many exceptional owners, design firms, and construction companies are showcased as they worked to develop sustainable projects that incorpo-
rated many reclaimed materials. Among the projects highlighted in the Design for Reuse Primer that involved the assistance of PlanetReuse are the Omega Center project in upstate New York and the 5200 Dauphine project in New Orleans, LA. On the 5200 Dauphine
project (currently under construction and striving for LEED Platinum), there were numerous materials used from the existing buildings that were deconstructed on the project site as well as from other buildings in the neighborhood and we were able to help source re-
claimed timbers for the roof framing from within a 500 mile radius at a cost savings.

"I wish we would have known about a reclaimed material locating service like yours earlier in the process as we could have explored even more reclaimed material options with the structure and envelope," said Laura Lesniewski of BNIM Architects on the Omega
Center project. The earlier in the process that reuse materials are thought of the better the opportunity to incorporate reclaimed options into the design. With the tight radius requirements for sourcing materials, it helps to work with consultants and brokers with broad networks of contacts who can share their knowledge about existing and upcoming options. It also allows for great material histories and stories for educational outreach and to communicate to people visiting completed projects about the value of material reuse. For example, the Omega Center features reclaimed dimensional lumber and plywood from the President Obama Inaugural stage platform and structure.

We often hear ideas about "easing the percentage or the mileage requirements" for reclaimed materials to help achieve Petals or Credits for certifications. These types of compromises could come at a cost to genuine sustainable design. Sustainability should not exist as a scorecard or a checklist. Rather, it is a way of providing design and construction methods with future generations in mind. Though it may be easier to lower certification requirements, as an industry we need to look at materials in another way.

Introducing reclaimed material options earlier in the project process as well as expanding the types of reused materials will divert more and more materials from landfills. Thinking outside of the box by expanding to more materials is one of the most sustainable things we can do. And once we incorporate reclaimed materials into projects, we need to spread the word about the changing industry and to share the many ways we can reuse materials and divert them from landfills.

From 'Removing the Roadblocks to Material Reuse' in TrimTab Winter 2011.
Nathan Benjamin, LEED AP, is the president and founder of PlanetReuse.

PlanetReuse LLC

TrimTab: Removing the roadblocks to reuse
Presidential inauguration [photo Gigapan

Story Type:  Feature

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