I have had the amazing opportunity to be part of a committee the past month that has reviewed a proposed Green Building Guideline for the National Association of Home Builders. It is quite extensive and really raises the bar for builders around the nation.
One of the main points throughout the document was to reduce the waste by builders during construction. How?
I have heard builders in the area that have tried hiring a wood chipper for waste, but they end up with more wood chips than they can use. There are multiple products available for construction that are made of recycled wood, one of which being I-Beams, so this got me to thinking. ***Here we go again. :) *****
Obviously there is money to be made with recycled wood and reduced waste on construction sites. We see recycled content everywhere now. How can we make this work? Here is my idea in its infant stage. I'm hoping some of my Green/Eco Friends can help me finish this out.
Cities across the nation are going to asked in February to adopt these Green Building Guidelines from the NAHB. There will be multiple builders that will need a way to reduce waste, not just one or two. Not just Custom Home builders...but Production Builders also.
So, if this will be a city wide issue, why doesn't the city get involved? How can the city help?
There are recycling centers in many cities nationwide for general consumers. What about for businesses such as builders? It would be a potentially huge undertaking, but there is money to be made here also. What if cities joined with local suppliers of Recycled Materials? Seems like a Win-Win....Win-Win...Ok, you get the point.
So, how could we make this work Nationwide? How could we get Cities involved with little cost to help out these builders reduce waste and Recycle? In turn, possibly help the cost of Sustainable and Green homes.
Stephanie,
I don't have a high regard for large development builders...but aren't new construction homes checked during various stages by local 'code enforcement' officers for compliance? Perhaps at this time a 'pickup' of materials to be recycled could be coordinated between builder & code inspector. Inspector could visit the site with a specially equipped truck fitted out by recyclers just for that purpose! Just an idea! Thanks, Fran
Hi Fran, :) I somewhat agree. I would think there is a way to have a pick up of some kind with minimal financial impact on everyone....just rolling ideas.
Thanks for the input.
Marketing idea - Good to the last drop! Just an idea.
Hi Stephanie - Let's ask ADAM Bearup about what he did with the Herkelrath Project. Additionally, go to your local Lumber Supplier...like my friends at Standale Lumber!
I am pleased to announce they are implementing a recycling program...it takes the supplier getting together with the recycler and making it work! Great strategy you talk of! You can make it happen!
One problem that is often overlooked, and one of the reasons that high recycled content products are often more expensive is the cost of transportation. There was even an Ivy League study some years ago about recycled aluminum. It was actually more energy intesive to collect and recycle than it was to mine and process... but I digress...
If the program could be instituted without the chips having to go to far, it could work. The other challend would be quality and uniformity of material.
I do know that there are some fuel pellets that are made from wood scraps. That might be a good and efficient use, since the uniformity of material would be less important.
Hi Lane, Yeah...I was thinking that. That is why I mentioned about little cost. If there was a local supplier and more than one way to get the materials there....
Just thinking. :) Thanks for your well thought out comment. It is food for thought.