About 62 houses are torn down every month in Vancouver, and now the city is moving to keep the demolition debris out of landfills.
Mayor Gregor Robertson has announced a new program to highlight the green and social benefits of a pilot project that deconstructs, rather than demolishes, the homes.
"This project exemplifies the City's " Greenest City" goals by creating green jobs and keeping over 90 per cent of a home out of the landfill," said Robertson. "Salvaging, recycling and re-using home materials through deconstruction will help us meet our 2020 zero waste targets."
Twenty inner-city youths were provided skills and training to deconstruct two homes as part of this project. Ninety-three per cent of materials were diverted from the landfill and incinerator during the first project.
In Vancouver, each house torn down produces approximately 40 tonnes of materials. One-third of Metro's waste comes from construction, demolition or land clearing. The majority of this waste is wood waste.
The City helped find the homes for the pilot project and will analyze how much waste is diverted from the landfill and incinerator. The City will also assess regulatory systems, incentives and policy tools to promote a deconstruction strategy.
Pacific Labor, owned and operated by Barry Joneson, was contracted to train the young workers in deconstruction practices and Services Canada provided $200,000 in youth training. "The skills link program teaches you life skills that you can use on and off the worksite, it creates a good strong team, and a good work ethic," said Kaggen Leakey, a young worker in the program, who plans to finish high school and then attend BCIT.
UPDATE: As of September 1, 2011, more than 86 per cent of the construction material at the Metro Vancouver Residential Recycling Pilot Project is being recycled. Windows, hardwood floors, lumber and other materials are being diverted from landfills as the Vancouver house is being totally renovated, according to Metro Vancouver.
