Construction and Demolition Toolkit

Approximately one third of the waste in Nova Scotia’s landfills comes from construction and demolition projects.  Much of this material can be recycled, reused and diverted to other uses. We are currently developing a user-friendly, straightforward educational toolkit designed to assist all those involved in construction and demolition to divert waste from our landfills.  

• Homeowners working on property improvements with existing buildings are generally faced with three options – to reuse, demolish, or move their structures. The toolkit will provide educational and inspirational options to help them decide on a course of action that is achievable, affordable and aims for the least environmental impact.
• A builder looking for ideas and contacts for people and companies that can recycle or reuse their construction waste will find practical information of this nature in the toolkit.
• Developers can learn from the toolkit how to use the principles of adaptive reuse, which minimizes construction and demolition waste and values the embodied energy inherent in every building. 

The toolkit will be created in consultation with individuals, companies and organizations with an interest in the built environment, throughout the province. It will be available in the spring of 2010.

Morris Building

In December, a coalition of groups - including the Ecology Action Centre and the Heritage Trust of Nova Scotia - moved one of Halifax's oldest buildings in order to save it. The Morris Building project represents a new way of approaching the built environment. One which, while celebrating heritage values, also speaks to the enormous environmental benefits embodied in adaptive reuse of buildings and how we might address issues of energy efficiencies and sustainability through their preservation.

Save the Charles Morris Building - Heritage Trust of Nova Scotia

Saving the Morris Building - backgrounder (December 2009)
This report by Built Environment Committee member Aaron Murnaghan provides background on the Morris building and EAC and other groups’ efforts to save it.  Included is a wealth of historical information and tentative plans for the relocation of the building.  Keeping a soundly-built, historically significant building out of a landfill is the first step in changing minds on conventional construction and demolition practices.

Did you know?

• Demolition of a 2,000 sq/ ft. house can send 60 tons of material to the landfill….85% of which could have been reused! (Building Materials Reuse Association)
• 33% of “waste” delivered to Nova Scotia landfills originates from C&D projects
• 50% of construction waste is salvageable and reusable
• 45% of construction waste is recyclable

Thanks to the Resource and Recovery Fund Board for funding this project.

If you would like more information please contact Kim Thompson or Thom Oommen at 902-442-0300.