There is no such place as away: Residential deconstruction as a method for waste diversion in Canada’s built environment - Alex Velsink, Master of Natural Resources Management thesis (2024)

• Description: "This research explores the barriers for deconstruction programs and policies for large, Canadian municipalities, how to overcome those barriers, and establishes a framework for moving forward in a municipal setting, working with the City of Edmonton for a real-world application. The results show that deconstruction has a small foothold in Canada and the US, but there are some leading-edge and developing examples. My framework builds on these and offers a path for actioning residential building deconstruction that can have a significant impact on reducing CRD waste going to landfills.
• Link:
  • Velsink_Residential Decon in Canada_Thesis.pdf (2.38 MB)
  • Velsink_Residential Decon in Canada_Thesis Summary.pdf (7 MB)

EPA Reuse and Recycling Opportunities and Deconstruction (2023)

• Description: Tips for deconstruction, finding markets for reuse and recycling, and greening vacant lots.
• Link: https://www.epa.gov/large-scale-residential-demolition/reuse-and-recycling-opportunities-and-demolition

Rethos Building Deconstruction & Salvage Toolkit (2023)

• Description: Deconstruction resources, tips, and tools with a focus on Minnesota
• Link: https://www.rethos.org/sustainability

Birch Group - Deconstruction Presentation (2022)

• Description: A PowerPoint made by Birch Group about the basics of deconstruction.
• Link: Birch Group Deconstruction Presentation

The feasibility of recycling and reusing building materials found in single-family homes built after 1970 in Metro Vancouver (2021)

• Description: "Through a combination of literature review and expert interviews, this study explores the feasibility of recycling and reusing building materials from single-family houses built after 1970 in Metro Vancouver. The study focuses on wood products, which make up the highest proportion of the regional construction and demolition waste stream by weight."
• Link: https://sustain.ubc.ca/sites/default/files/2021-010_Feasibility%20of%20recycling%20and%20reusing_Forrest.pdf

Ithaca CR0WD NYS Deconstruction Resource Guide (2021)

• Description: Key NYS C&D waste statistics, why deconstruction, key considerations of construction lifecycle, list of salvageable materials, average tonnage of C&D waste per demolition, NYS resource guide.
• Link: https://www.cr0wd.org/_files/ugd/52fa8e_c2ca2cf8fc2043cc8264b4c45f3e2ce4.pdf

County of San Mateo Deconstruction Training (2020)

• Description: Overview of San Mateo County (CA)'s deconstruction training process.
• Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z-4tpNQLlcQ

Vancouver Green Capital - Salvage & Reuse (2010)

• Description: Rethink renovation, beyond waste, salvage & recycling, getting organized, reuse, when not to reuse, used materials index, resources. 
• Link: https://vancouver.ca/files/cov/green-salvage-guide.pdf