West Sussex, UK - The EPA (US Environmental Protection Agency) estimates that 600 million tonnes of demolition waste was generated in the US in 2018. Just under 145 million tonnes of this, much of which could have been reused, was disposed of in landfills.* The figures in Europe do not fare much better; construction and demolition waste accounts for over a third of all waste generated. It is estimated at 450 – 500 million tonnes annually.** Seen as a necessary evil for development, fast demolition wastes vast quantities of valuable resources; if not destined for landfill, the materials are downcycled through recycling, using more energy and destroying the embodied carbon. Not only does the danger lie in the amount of waste, demolition methods can result in air and water pollution.

We live in a precarious time, and now, more than ever, we need our local authorities and government to focus on reducing financial and environmental costs. 'Breaking it Down: A Comprehensive Guide to Building Deconstruction and Material Reuse Policy' offers hope for a future away from our broken linear system. The author, Sara Badiali, explores the power deconstruction and salvaging have in lessening our environmental impact and benefitting our local communities.

A consultant specialising in the circular economy within the built environment, Sara Badiali created the Reclamation Administration, a platform that shares knowledge about deconstruction and sustainable construction practices. In 'Breaking it Down', Sara writes from personal and professional experiences that have led her to become a passionate advocate for deconstruction. She played a pivotal role in creating the Portland Building Deconstruction Ordinance as a consultant on the Deconstruction Advisory Group.

We have previously covered the Building Deconstruction Ordinance in SalvoNEWS in the article' Lessons in Deconstruction from Portland' linked below. It was one of the first policies of its kind. The ordinance requires deconstruction for reuse on buildings designated as historical landmarks or those built before 1916. After a successful launch, it was soon amended to raise the year-built threshold from 1916 to 1940. Undoubtedly, the ordinance had a positive environmental impact. In 2019, over 200 homes had been deconstructed under the act, recovering over 2.4 million pounds of old-growth timber and other material that would have been wasted.

In the book, Sara gives insights from her time working on the Deconstruction Ordinance, offering readers tools and practical guidance to initiate material reuse policies in their own communities. Beyond the logistics of deconstruction legislation, the book touches on the emotional connection reclaiming materials can have on us. Sara speaks of a kitchen dismantling project where a client was adamant that their stainless steel sink be removed without damage. The sink was originally purchased at a reuse centre; it was on its second life, and the client wanted to ensure it would have a third. Sara explains, 'When people feel like they are doing the "right thing" or something good, that sensation lasts much longer than the dopamine from a new purchase.' She continues that 'at the core of this movement is the human condition that knows it's not fulfilling to throw something perfectly good away. The innovation of finding a new purpose for an old component is so much more satisfying in the long run.'

'Breaking it Down' illustrates how grassroots movements can affect policy change. Interestingly, most people working to create the Portland Building Deconstruction Ordinance were not policy experts but community members working together. The book is empowering, motivating you to act and transform from bystander to reuse advocate, as your voice can make a difference.


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Statistics taken from;
• EPA - Sustainable Management of Construction and Demolition Materials [https://www.epa.gov/smm/sustainable-management-construction-and-demolition-materials]
** European Commission - Construction and demolition waste [https://environment.ec.europa.eu/topics/waste-and-recycling/construction-and-demolition-waste_en]