Up to
of material can be diverted from the landfill.
Deconstruction involves the systematic disassembly of a building to reclaim lumber and other building materials intact, in their original form, for reuse and recycling.
Benefits of deconstruction
- Conserve resources – preserve valuable materials and reduce the need for new raw materials
- Support the circular economy – promote reuse and resale of materials
- Reduce noise and dust
- Reduces waste by keeping materials intact and separated for reuse and recycling
We encourage deconstruction as a sustainable alternative to traditional demolition, helping to reduce construction and demolition waste sent to landfills.
Find other strategies to reduce construction and demolition waste
Deconstruction steps
- Site assessment and cost estimate
- Salvaging reusable items (example: windows, fixtures) and removing hazardous materials
- Interior stripping to the studs
- Exterior and structural deconstruction
- Excavation and site cleanup
In a typical Vancouver home deconstruction
Up to
of the material can be salvaged.
How deconstruction fits within green demolition
Green demolition means the house being removed must meet the minimum reuse and recycling requirements set by Vancouver’s Green Demolition By-law PDF file (1.2 MB).
Green demolition projects can use:
- Deconstruction
- Building relocation
- Conventional machine demolition (with materials sorted for recycling)
- A combination of methods
In cases where wood salvage is required - homes built in whole or in part before 1910 or listed on the Vancouver Heritage Register and built in whole or in part before 1950 - deconstruction is mandatory.
