As green industry blooms across the country, many changes have taken place in the demolition industry as well. Green demolition, in which as much of the building as possible is recycled or reused, is increasingly common. Although it takes more time and money to systematically demolish a building in this manner, the benefits to the environment, and to landfills in particular, are enormous; 40% of waste in landfills is from demolition and construction debris. Green demolition work is often meticulous, but a dedicated crew is often able to save or salvage almost every part of the building. And as scrap metal demolition contractors have found new ways to repurpose building parts, crafty homeowners have also created fun, useful projects from items found at demolition and salvage sites.
Items that have been salvaged from demolished homes include countertops and mantle pieces, wood flooring, pipes, bathtubs, lumber and large beams, windows, hardware, millwork, doors, sinks, and mirrors. And don’t forget scrap metal demolition; California to Connecticut, demolition contractors can melt down scrap metal for reuse in all kinds of projects. Even concrete can be crushed and used as a substitute for gravel. Many of these salvaged materials can be used in future building projects, or they can be used for decorative, crafty projects such as outdoor furniture, tables, planter boxes, and more.
Another idea is to use pallets to create fun and useful outdoor furniture, as well as other DIY items. Pallets are used to ship almost everything and are a common waste product in American industry. Altogether, their use accounts for about 40% of the hardwood harvested in the US. At the same time, about 20% of landfill waste is from pallets. As eco-minded individuals look for ways to recycle and reuse demolition materials otherwise destined for the landfill, pallets seem like the perfect option, as they are easy to acquire and provide a lot of room for individual expression with respect to design.
Some of the DIY demolition projects that we have recently spotted online include an outdoor sofa made from pallets, pipes, and a spare mattress; a very artsy succulent table (perfect for your garden—the link also includes a detailed tutorial), and trendy Adirondack chairs made by Sweden-born crafter Titti. We also like her blog, Shoestring Pavilion—check it out to see more of her creative projects.
If you are looking for a fun DIY project, green demolition sites can be treasure trove for crafting materials, including wooden pallets. We’ll conclude with one tip from safety-oriented contractors in scrap metal demolition, Washington to Florida: If you’re using post-construction materials, always ensure they’re free of toxins and hazardous substances such as lead. Avoid incorporating hazardous materials in your craft projects.
[Photo by hyper7pro via CC License]