Infill, yes. Landfill, not so much thank you….
A recent article in the Times Free Press Trends Issue, “Rising Costs Generating Interest in Green Energy,” ties together the many reasons we use sustainable building practices – and it’s not just about saving money. Ethan says, "…we want to approach the project from the beginning with the environment in mind and try to preserve as many materials and reuse and recycle as much as possible.”
So what is green energy and what does it have to do with sustainable building practices? Green energy can be thought of as systems and products that help provide energy with a significantly lesser environmental impact. Well, at Collier, we see green energy as part of a Whole Systems Approach that accounts for the entire construction process – including what we do with construction waste.
Whole Systems Approach
While geothermal heating and air systems, stormwater runoff systems and advanced framing techniques help reduce energy costs, they also help reduce waste – lumber, water and mined materials.
And that is why - when we use these systems in conjunction with one another - we call it a Whole Systems Approach. Because we are rethinking the entire process of building a home so that its various systems work together to reduce its environmental footprint.
Recycle cans, bottles, paper… and STORMWATER and HOMES
House recycling is apart of that process. When we build infill housing – utilizing existing lots to build new houses – we are reducing unnecessary development (more waste). But if we demolish an existing home only to truck it off to the landfill, we are perpetuating unsustainable waste management.
Instead, we recycle as much of the home as possible using the Packer 750 Grinder. Grinding and on-site reuse of wood, drywall, and inert materials such as roofing shingles, block, and brick is a sustainable alternative to traditional construction waste management. Along with techniques to reduce the amount of material being generated and techniques to reuse material on site, the grinder is a key part of a waste management plan.
And ultimately, house recycling helps us accomplish our goal - to promote the economic health and the well being of homeowners, the community and the environment.
For more:
Read the article
Or listen to the interview
And in case you're interested, here are some past articles about our Harper Street recycling project:
Harper Street House Recycling
Chattanooga: crews recycling for green construction/
Chattanooga: An Inconvenient Roof - Green Contractor Recycles
Collier Construction Recycling And Mulching North Chattanooga Homes
And if you have any questions, give us a call and we’ll do our best to help you out.
So what is green energy and what does it have to do with sustainable building practices? Green energy can be thought of as systems and products that help provide energy with a significantly lesser environmental impact. Well, at Collier, we see green energy as part of a Whole Systems Approach that accounts for the entire construction process – including what we do with construction waste.
Whole Systems Approach
While geothermal heating and air systems, stormwater runoff systems and advanced framing techniques help reduce energy costs, they also help reduce waste – lumber, water and mined materials.
And that is why - when we use these systems in conjunction with one another - we call it a Whole Systems Approach. Because we are rethinking the entire process of building a home so that its various systems work together to reduce its environmental footprint.
Recycle cans, bottles, paper… and STORMWATER and HOMES
House recycling is apart of that process. When we build infill housing – utilizing existing lots to build new houses – we are reducing unnecessary development (more waste). But if we demolish an existing home only to truck it off to the landfill, we are perpetuating unsustainable waste management.
Instead, we recycle as much of the home as possible using the Packer 750 Grinder. Grinding and on-site reuse of wood, drywall, and inert materials such as roofing shingles, block, and brick is a sustainable alternative to traditional construction waste management. Along with techniques to reduce the amount of material being generated and techniques to reuse material on site, the grinder is a key part of a waste management plan.
And ultimately, house recycling helps us accomplish our goal - to promote the economic health and the well being of homeowners, the community and the environment.
For more:
Read the article
Or listen to the interview
And in case you're interested, here are some past articles about our Harper Street recycling project:
Harper Street House Recycling
Chattanooga: crews recycling for green construction/
Chattanooga: An Inconvenient Roof - Green Contractor Recycles
Collier Construction Recycling And Mulching North Chattanooga Homes
And if you have any questions, give us a call and we’ll do our best to help you out.
Views: 1
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Rock/Creek on -
I've seen these grinders at work, and I have to say it's pretty impressive. It's amazing that so much of a house can be re-used, and also amazing how much of a demolished house usually goes to the landfill. I don't remember the percentage, but somewhere there's a shocking statistic about how much of our landfills are composed of building materials and waste from building processes.
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Permalink Reply by Collier Construction on -
Hey Rock/Creek, here's one angle on it:
"EPA estimates that 136 million tons of building-related C&D materials was generated in the United States in 1996.
* The majority of this waste comes from building demolition and renovation, and the rest comes from new construction.
* Roughly equal percentages of building-related waste are estimated to come from the residential and commercial building sectors.
* The estimated per capita generation rate for building-related debris in 1996 was 2.8 pounds per person per day."
:http://www.epa.gov/osw/nonhaz/industrial/cd/basic.htm
Rock/Creek said:I've seen these grinders at work, and I have to say it's pretty impressive. It's amazing that so much of a house can be re-used, and also amazing how much of a demolished house usually goes to the landfill. I don't remember the percentage, but somewhere there's a shocking statistic about how much of our landfills are composed of building materials and waste from building processes.
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Permalink Reply by River City Recycling on -
What references to you recommend for anyone who is looking in to re using stormwater at an existing home?
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Permalink Reply by Collier Construction on
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Hey River City Recycling,
Depending on how you would like to manage the water, it could involve a number of different sub-contractors. Because a system can involve as many as 3 trades, the smartest approach is to contact a general contractor who is experienced with the different systems and develop a plan for stormwater management.
For now, here are some experts on the various parts of the system:
Tanks...
Mainline Plumbing
6826 Grasshopper Rd
Birchwood, TN 37308
961-2946
Gutter Installations
Penland Guttering Company
10 Sylvia Lane
Ringgold, GA 30736
706-937-7420
Let us know if you have any questions.
River City Recycling said:What references to you recommend for anyone who is looking in to re using stormwater at an existing home?
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