At Chief Bricks, we believe in sustainability and giving new life to old materials. A recent white paper, Constructing a Circular Economy in New York State: Deconstruction and Building Material Reuse, provides a comprehensive look at how New York can transition from a wasteful demolition process to a circular construction economy. This shift has the potential to create jobs, reduce carbon emissions, and transform how we think about building materials.
The Problem: Wasteful Demolition & Landfills
New York State generates over 18 million tons of construction and demolition (C&D) waste each year, with a significant portion ending up in landfills. With two major landfills set to close by 2025, the state faces an urgent waste crisis. The traditional “take-make-waste” model of demolition not only depletes valuable materials but also contributes to carbon emissions and rising construction costs.
The Solution: Deconstruction & Reuse
Deconstruction—the careful dismantling of buildings to salvage materials for reuse—presents a sustainable alternative. The report outlines how replacing demolition with deconstruction could:
✔ Reduce waste: Up to 90% of building materials can be reused or recycled.
✔ Lower carbon emissions: Salvaging materials reduces demand for new production, cutting embodied carbon.
✔ Create jobs: If just 75% of NYS’s residential demolitions switched to deconstruction, 12,600 new green jobs could be created.
✔ Boost the economy: The estimated economic impact could reach $3.05 billion by promoting material reuse and resale.
Key Policy Recommendations
The report highlights policy changes needed to scale up deconstruction, including:
- Municipal Deconstruction Ordinances to encourage material reuse.
- Revised Building Codes to support salvaged materials in new construction.
- Investment in Reuse Infrastructure to develop a stronger reclaimed materials market.
- Workforce Training Programs to build expertise in deconstruction trades.
Chief Bricks’ Role in the Circular Economy
As a leader in reclaimed materials, Chief Bricks is already contributing to this shift by salvaging and supplying reclaimed bricks and cobblestones for new construction. We are committed to supporting policies and practices that promote sustainable building material reuse.
🔗 Read the full white paper here.
By embracing deconstruction, New York State can build a more sustainable, cost-effective, and environmentally responsible future. The time to act is now!