Amount of Deconstruction/Demolition Each Year

 The average age of housing in the United States is over 30 years, necessitating their

improvement or demolition. According to the Census Bureau, approximately 245,000

dwelling units and 45,000 non-residential units are demolished every year, creating

approximately 74 million tons of debris a year. Using deconstruction to remove

buildings can convert demolition waste into construction materials. For example, by

deconstructing one-fourth of the buildings instead of demolishing them, approximately

20 million tons of debris could be diverted from landfills each year (NAHB 2003).

Increased Availability of Materials

 The past century has seen a major population boom in the United States. During

this time many new residential homes, commercial and industrial buildings, bridges, and

other structures were built from sawn lumber and timber. As these buildings become

ready to be torn down, much of this lumber may be available for reuse. Over three

trillion board feet of lumber and timber have been processed in the U.S. since 1900.

Much of this wood is still residing in existing structures. When these structures reach the

end of their service lives, become obsolete, or change use, contemporary practices

emphasize quick, cheap disposal in landfills (Green et al. 1999). Recently, public interest

has been expressed in finding environmentally acceptable and efficient material reuse

options that focus on deconstruction and reuse of materials in new construction and

remodeling activities (Green et al. 1999).

 Along with growing public interest in increasing the amount of recycling/reuse of

C&D waste, federal agencies, such as the United States Environmental Protection

Agency (USEPA) and General Services Agency (GSA), have developed policies to

promote an increase in the use of recycled content products. Building materials have not