Services
Reclamation / Demolition Audits:
We conduct high-level assessments to identify material pathways for reuse in Part 3 Buildings (over 600m2 or exceeding three storeys with major occupancies) scheduled for partial or full demolition. Our evaluation focuses on the quality, condition, and reusability of building materials, offering critical insights for heritage impact assessments or informing the decision to pursue deconstruction pathways in lieu of conventional demolition. This process can be applied to select materials/components or across a full building.
The purpose of a Reclamation/Demolition Audit is:
- To assess the types and quantities of products and materials generated during demolition or refurbishment, ensuring their potential for reuse in the redevelopment process or elsewhere.
- To enhance the management of products and materials, offering guidance to the design team and contractor in alignment with the waste hierarchy, prioritizing reuse, recycling, and minimizing landfill waste.
- To provide expert advice on reusing products and recycling materials both on-site and off-site.
- To foster stronger connections and communication with the supply chain, and to identify local charities, organizations, and companies capable of handling the reuse and higher-value recycling of products and materials.
- To offer data that supports LEED certification and Waste Management Assessments.
- To set targets for the reuse and recycling of products and materials.
- To reduce the environmental impact and negative consequences of demolition activities.
Benefits of a Reclamation/Demolition Audit:
- Gain insight into the embodied carbon and environmental impact of material deconstruction and reuse, and how this process contributes to achieving the project’s environmental goals.
- Enhance community engagement by creating social value through material reuse.
- Lower waste management and landfill expenses.
This process enhances environmental sustainability, reduces carbon footprints, and optimizes material reuse and transportation.
Material Deconstruction Support:
We provide detailed material-level assessments for masonry, wood, and select architectural elements, evaluating the quality and reusability of building materials from structural, architectural, and alternative-use perspectives. Building upon the findings from the Reclamation/Demolition Audits, these reports assist decision-makers in developing a strategic deconstruction plan. The aim is to ensure that only viable materials for reuse and resale are captured, and that all cultural and material data is seamlessly integrated throughout the salvage process.
These assessments can support the on-site reuse of materials within the same project or facilitate their broader reuse. Once a final project approach is determined, we quantify the embodied carbon savings associated with the deconstruction, emphasizing the value of reusable materials while also clarifying the non-reusable materials to prevent any negative association with their disposal. These insights can be leveraged to support whole-building Life Cycle Assessments (LCAs) and contribute to high-level compliance with the Toronto Green Standard’s Tier requirements.
Specification Support:
We provide expert guidance in developing or refining specifications for deconstruction and material reuse. Drawing on our extensive experience in the heritage restoration sector, we assist project teams in defining appropriate deconstruction methods, procedures, and technical requirements, including specification language and experience qualifications. Our goal is to ensure a seamless deconstruction process that integrates efficiently with existing building development or demolition practices, facilitating both operational and sustainability objectives.
Construction Support:
Our ongoing review process during construction ensures the effective implementation of deconstruction and material storage practices, safeguarding the viability of materials for reuse. We also assess projects in progress to confirm that only suitable materials are retained, and that they are directed to appropriate reuse pathways based on their condition. Additionally, we offer embodied carbon audits of salvaged materials, which can be used for reporting or waste management audits.
Salvage Waste Management:
Our Green Salvaged Materials Bins can be provided to your job site to capture material slated for re-use. If appropriate specifications are followed, leave the rest of the work to us!
A separate specialized bin will be provided for each material, then leave the cleaning and preparation of the material to us!
Warehouse Storage
When materials are salvaged from a building, they may not be immediately needed for reuse in a new development or project. To meet this need, we provide secure, long-term storage for your salvaged materials in our warehouse. Stored according to industry standards, these materials remain in optimal condition, ready for use when construction begins—whether it’s months or years down the line. This ensures that your materials are preserved and can be repurposed effectively in future projects.
Deconstruction, storage, and material reuse have been integral practices within the heritage community for decades. Green Salvaged Materials is committed to applying these proven industry standards to support building projects that prioritize sustainable materials.
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