Grapevine

Building deconstruction, reuse would benefit New York State jobs, climate

Shifting from wasteful demolition practices to a circular construction economy in New York state could unlock unrealized economic activity, create thousands of green jobs and advance ambitious climate goals—while reducing pressure on landfills, Cornell experts report in a new white paper that aims to inform proposed state legislation.

Published Oct. 3, "Constructing a Circular Economy in New York State: Deconstruction and Building Material Reuse" provides policymakers, state agencies and local governments with a roadmap for transitioning from today's "take-make-waste" linear construction paradigm to one that prioritizes the systematic deconstruction of buildings and the reuse of materials that retain substantial value, along with their embodied carbon.

According to the researchers' analysis, converting half to three-quarters of residential building demolitions to deconstructions would have a direct economic impact of $872 million to $1.4 billion; create between 8,130 and 12,630 jobs; and reclaim 270,000 to 420,000 tons of materials for reuse—"all of which could foundationally reshape an entire sector of the New York state economy," they write.

Reviewing data and best practices from across the country, the white paper offers 19 policy and practice recommendations for developing the workforce, market and infrastructure needed to establish New York as a circular economy leader.

"Relative to demolition and landfilling, deconstruction and reuse create considerably more economic, environmental and social value, and can be instrumental in achieving New York state's economic and climate goals," said Felix Heisel, assistant professor of architecture and director of the Circular Construction Lab in the College of Architecture, Art and Planning (AAP).