Reducing construction and demolition waste

Ways to keep construction and demolition waste out of landfills

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  Adaptive reuse (repurposing existing buildings)

  

  Adaptive reuse project on display at 37 West 6th avenue in Vancouver. Credit: City of Vancouver, 2025.

  Adaptive reuse is the process of repurposing existing buildings for new uses while preserving:

  • Structure
  • Materials
  • Historic character and value

  This can include incorporating an existing building into the design of a new development.

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  Building relocation

  

  Building relocation involves lifting an existing house or structure and moving it to a new site, where it can be reused for its original purpose or adapted for a different one.

  Learn more about building relocation

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  Deconstruction

  

  Deconstruction of a single-family home in Vancouver. Credit: City of Vancouver, 2025.

  Deconstruction involves the systematic disassembly of a building to reclaim lumber and other building materials intact, in their original form, for reuse and recycling.

  Learn more about deconstruction

  Where to take reclaimed building materials

  • Learn where you can take reclaimed building materials in Metro Vancouver’s Construction and Demolition Waste Reduction and Recycling Toolkit External website, opens in new tab.
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  Reusing reclaimed wood and other building materials

  

  Reclaimed lumber, wood finishings, and other salvaged materials can be incorporated into the design and construction of new buildings.

  Examples include:

  • Wall cladding
  • Flooring
  • Finishings (mouldings, mantels)
  • Sheds and fences
  • Planter boxes
  • Doors and cabinets
  • Railings and gates
  • Fixtures (faucets, sinks, bathtubs)
  • Windows

  The building industry is also creating new products from reclaimed wood, such as prefabricated wall panels.

  Where to take and find reusable building material

  • Urban Repurpose External website, opens in new tab accepts and sells clean dimensional and sheet lumber, wood flooring, windows, non-commercial doors, and hardwood scraps. Conditions apply.
  • Habitat for Humanity's ReStore External website, opens in new tab accepts and sells home decor and building supplies. Conditions apply.

Vancouver’s Green Demolition By-law

Vancouver showed early leadership in Canada on construction and demolition waste through our Green Demolition By-law No.11023 (effective September 1, 2014).

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  By-law requirements

  The Green Demolition By-law applies to the removal of 1- and 2-family homes built in whole or in part before 1950.

  Reuse and recycling requirement

  You must reuse or recycle at least:

  • 75% of the building materials (by weight) when you demolish a 1- or 2-family home built in whole or in part before 1950
  • 90% of the building materials (by weight) when you demolish a character home built in whole or in part before 1950

  Wood salvage requirement

  You must take the home apart carefully (deconstruct it) and save at least 3 tonnes of wood for reuse (intact, in its original form) when demolishing a 1- or 2-family home that meets one of these conditions:

  • It was built in whole or in part before 1910
  • It is listed on the Vancouver Heritage Register and was built in whole or in part before 1950

  Review the Green Demolition By-law No.11023

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  Applying for a demolition permit with recycling and deconstruction requirements

  If your home is subject to the Green Demolition By-law, you’ll need to follow special steps to apply for a demolition permit.

  • Get details on demolition permits with recycling and deconstruction requirements
  • Learn more about deconstruction
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  Council updates

  • May 16, 2018 — Green Demolition By-law update
    • Council report PDF file (115 KB)  
    • Minutes PDF file (52 KB)
  • December 16, 2015 — Green Demolition Program update
    • Council report PDF file (188 KB)
    • Minutes PDF file (170 KB)
  • June 11, 2014 — Heritage Action Plan: Encouraging reuse and recycling of construction waste from pre-1940 homes
    • Council report PDF file (68 KB)
    • Minutes PDF file (68 KB)

External resources

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  Metro Vancouver’s Construction and Demolition Waste Reduction Toolkit

  

  This toolkit was created by Metro Vancouver to help contractors, project managers and homeowners find:

  • Alternatives to traditional demolition
  • Way to reuse and recycle building materials
  • Construction and demolition facilities, recycling depots, and service providers
  • Resources for the management of hazardous materials commonly found in construction sites

  Use the toolkit External website, opens in new tab

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  The Building Relocation and Deconstruction Association of British Columbia (BRDABC)

  

  The BRDABC External website, opens in new tab is a non-profit industry association dedicated to promoting and supporting responsible alternatives to demolition.

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  Habitat for Humanity 

  Habitat for Humanity operates The Rebuild Hub External website, opens in new tab, a central location for contractors to bring salvaged materials, including old-growth wood and architectural details.

  Furniture makers and contractors can then procure and upcycle these materials, and the public, interior designers, and architects can purchase these goods.