1. Environmental Stewardship of Used Building Materials The Benefits of Deconstruction and Reuse

2. Why We Exist Second chances Personal redemption
Current practices are unfair and cost too much
Work matters
Before we move into an overview of our model and how it works, I want to talk about why we launched this social change enterprise
We believe that everyone deserves a fair shot at the American dream. To us, this dream includes a decent job, a safe place to live, the chance to have meaningful relationships and connections, a chance to be a good parent and raise your children, and the chance to be a contributing member of society.
We believe in personal redemption and second chances. The men we serve did some bad things but they are not bad people. Like all of us, they need to take responsibility for their past and they should the chance to pursue a better future.
We also believe in that the current systems and practices are unfair and produce unacceptable outcomes. We believe that taxpayers and our society deserves much better results
And we believe that work matters, that a job has practical and intrinsic value. 2

3. Throwing Away Building Materials
A Wasteful Practice
Quick, efficient, cheap
Majority of used building materials are buried in landfills
In 2013, 1.6 million tons of construction “waste” was generated in MN
Only 18% diverted from landfills statewide
1,341,167 tons of building material buried
Produced 3,742,000 metric tons of CO2e emissions
TIM
It’s quick, efficient and cheap. But only a small fraction of the materials are diverted from landfills and most of the buildings contain valuable materials that are undervalued and wasted. At least 90% of construction and demolition waste contains valuable material that can not only be recycled but also used to manufacture new products or reused in construction and renovation of buildings. In demolishing and burying these used building materials we generate serious, negative environmental consequences.

4. Why Reuse Buildings Substantial Environmental Benefits
Social Benefits for Families and Community
Creates Local Jobs
Earns Revenue
Demolition is not a sustainable practice

5. A Typical Project
Disassemble a building in a safe and methodical manner
Preserve maximum amount of reusable materials
Recycle most of remaining materials
Remove foundation and clear lot for next use
Sell reclaimed materials on-line & in warehouse
12-14 days to take apart a typical house
Divert 80%-90% of the materials from landfill
Net zero emissions an achievable outcome

11. Mix of Materials
ReUse Cabinets, light fixtures, wood flooring, windows, wood trim, roof and floor decking, lumber, sinks, toilets, tubs Recycling Steel, concrete, other metals, wood, cardboard, and sometimes shingles

12. Observations High quality and high value Medium quality and value
Low quality, low value
Building built before 1950
3000 sq ft or larger
An appraisal of $30K or more is likely
Old barns
The older the home the better
sq ft
Marginal need for an appraisal
but high value for structural lumber if older building
Private owners are willing to pay a higher cost for deconstruction since tax deduction for materials can make project cost effective
Public owners value the positive return of creating and typically value the significant increases of recycling and reuse

13. 4 Jobs – ReUSE, Recycling, Landfill Comparisons
Recycle scenario:
100% of concrete is recycled, then the remainder is sent to DemCon or Atomic. Off-site recycling numbers are modeled with DemCon’s 2016 YTD proportions by material type.
Landfill scenario:
100% of concrete recycled; remainder sent to landfill.

15. Higher Value Products Transform harvested materials into new products
Reclaimed wood to build furniture
Doors and windows for art and design
NRRI experimenting with drywall

16. Leopold Bench
An outreach and education opportunity for deconstruction while also bringing attention to the social and economic sides of the Better Futures operation.
Connecting conservation and Deconstruction. Education and skill development, adding value to materials and building value in individuals.

18. Tables and Tops

19. Reclaimed for Art

20. Difficult to Reuse
Insulation
Drywall
Porcelain

21. Drywall Reuse Potential Uses Soil amendment Field marking chalk
Litter product
Oil absorbent

22. Recommendations Consider
Establish goals and provide financial incentives
Require much higher rates of reuse
Provide incentives to deconstruct and reuse
Support enterprises focused on deconstruction and reuse
Purchase goods made from reclaimed materials
Track the social, economic, and environmental benefits of deconstruction compared to demolition
Thomas
Purchasing recycled and reused materials for your home from our warehouse.
Choosing deconstruction over demolition for your upcoming projects.
Donating your used materials to use instead of paying to dump them in a landfill.
Pro-deconstruction policy changes.

23. A New Policy and Practice State-Counties-Cities
Focus on Net Zero Emissions
Reuse at least 5% of the materials
Recycle 70% of the materials
Preservation/Reuse generates 7x more jobs

24. For more information about Better Futures and Deconstruction
Contact us at or betterfuturesminnesota.com
Visit our Sales Warehouse, 2620 Minnehaha, Minneapolis
Like us on Facebook at Better Futures Minnesota
Follow us on Twitter at BetterFuturesMN