smart Construction
For example, single-stream recycling bins – where all materials go into the same bin – have increased participation rates among residents and businesses. “When people had to sort their materials into separate bins, we had a low participation rate. But when you make it easier for them with single-stream recycling, the participation rates jump up,” Howard said. The same is true for construction debris. The contents of a construction dumpster can be run through machines equipped with various vibrating conveyor belts that help sort materials. Manual separation is used in addition to the automatic system. Once the materials are separated and bailed, they can then be sold back into the market. For example, concrete and shingles can be used as a roadbed material, and drywall can be recycled into textured wall sprays. Large items, such as reusable lumber and drywall, along with cabinets, lighting and other items, can be donated to organizations such as Habitat for Humanity for reuse in construction projects. When it comes to deciding exactly what can be recycled from a construction site, Charleston-based GreenBy3 walks clients through the process. Owner Jorge Riano works as the client representative for commercial construction projects. Recent projects include PeopleMatter’s new headquarters on King Street in Charleston, and Biz611, a business incubator in Hendersonville, N.C. PeopleMatter’s project involved the renovation of a historic building that had burned at one time. Deconstruction of the building revealed beams ranging from 12 to 16 feet that were charred black. “Because they were charred, nobody thought the wood
At top, recycled wood from its own building was used to make a conference table for PeopleMatter in Charleston. Charred wood makes a unique inlay. Bottom, reclaimed brick is used on the facade of the building for Biz611 in Hendersonville, N.C. Photos/Jorge Riano, Greenby3
was any good, but I knew there was something under
buildings reused in the new building include 9,000 bricks
there. I came up with the idea to use the wood for a confer-
used on the north-facing vertical green wall, iron railings
ence table for them,” Riano said. He collaborated with local
to create a bike rack and reclaimed doors made into desks.
wood craftsmen who helped design and construct a large
Other materials used in the Biz611 project that were
conference table, as well as a desk for PeopleMatter’s presi-
selected from GreenBy3’s own inventory of reclaimed
dent Nate Dapore, and a high-top table for a break room.
materials include office furniture, DIRTT raised floor and
When the beams were milled, the charred end pieces were
office walls, and sliding barn-style doors. Materials from
retained and used to create a one-of-a-kind inlay.
the deconstruction not used in Biz611 were taken by local
“This table has a story,” Riano said. “It’s supported by
companies and repurposed or recycled on local construc-
a steel structure on one leg. The table itself is about 400
tion projects. For example, some of the excess brick and
pounds and had to be brought up on a crane. It’s part of
block were crushed and used in road construction.
this building’s history and its future.” In Hendersonville, N.C., Riano coordinated the decon-
“Everything we do is based on how we can help our clients and the environment by repurposing, whether in our
struction of two existing buildings and then the construc-
own business, our clients’ projects or in our community,”
tion of Biz611 in its place. Materials from the original
Riano said. www.RecyclonomicsSC.com
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