The construction and demolition (C&D) industry is at a crossroads where sustainability is no longer just an option but a necessity. Global waste production is constantly escalating at an alarming rate. Priestly Demolition Inc (PDI) recognizes the need for environmental responsibility. While many demolition firms consider material salvage an added expense, we see it as a corporate duty investing in the planet’s future. Salvaging materials in a manner that ensures a positive environmental impact is not just a corporate responsibility but an industry imperative.

How much material waste is in demolition?

For us to understand why material salvage is essential, we must first examine the scope of demolition waste on a global scale. As of 2020, construction and demolition waste (CDW) accounts for 30% of the world’s solid waste, with approximately 90% of that stemming from demolition. This staggering statistic underscores why it is critical for our industry to prioritize waste stream management.

Without responsible waste diversion strategies, landfills will continue to be overwhelmed, leading to severe environmental consequences, including greenhouse gas emissions, soil contamination, and loss of valuable resources. The demolition industry must lead the way in sustainable waste management by integrating robust salvage and recycling initiatives.

The Environmental Benefits of Material Salvage

Material salvage offers economic incentive as well as a range of environmental advantages, making it a best practice for forward-thinking demolition companies. Some of the primary benefits include:

Landfill Diversion

Landfill diversion is the process of redirecting waste materials away from landfills by repurposing, recycling, or reselling them. Landfills should be a last resort after all possible salvageable materials have been extracted. By prioritizing material reuse, companies can significantly reduce their environmental footprint.

Examples of landfill diversion initiatives include:

• Recycling steel and other metals.
• Crushing concrete into gravel for reuse in construction.
• Repurposing asphalt for road construction.

Reduction of Emissions

Keeping construction materials out of landfills prevents the release of emissions such as carbon via decomposition polluting the air. By salvaging and reusing materials, companies can cut down on emissions associated with manufacturing and waste decomposition.

Conservation of Natural Resources

Salvaging material reduces the demand for raw resources. For instance:

• Steel recycling reduces the need for mining iron ore.
• Reusing concrete minimizes the need for new aggregate extraction.
• Repurposed wood decreases deforestation.

By reducing the need of producing new materials and extracting more raw resources we conserve natural resources and reduce potential emissions at the same time.

PDI: Leading The Way in Sustainable Demolition

At PDI, environmental sustainability is deeply embedded in our operations. Unlike many competitors, we have taken proactive steps to integrate material salvage into our business model. A key component of our sustainability efforts is our 10-acre salvage yard in Bradford, Ontario. This facility serves as a hub for repurposed demolition materials, offering them to contractors, architects, and developers at a discounted rate.

By maintaining an extensive inventory of salvageable materials, we ensure that valuable resources are not wasted. This approach allows us to:

1. Reduce the volume of demolition waste sent to landfills.
2. Lower project costs for clients through resale of salvaged goods.
3. Promote a circular economy within the construction sector.

What are the most commonly salvaged materials?

The most frequently salvaged materials in demolition include:

Steel

One of the most valuable materials in demolition, steel can be melted down and repurposed with minimal loss in quality. Salvaging steel reduces reliance on raw mining and cuts emissions significantly.

Concrete

PDI crushes over 60,000 tons of concrete annually at our salvage site alone. Our advanced concrete crushers break down materials into various sizes of gravel, which can then be reused for future infrastructure projects.

Wood

Wood presents unique challenges in material salvage. Treated wood, such as stained or chemically processed lumber, cannot always be repurposed or have restrictions placed upon them. However, highly sought-after materials like barn beams can be reclaimed and re-milled into new lumber, offering a sustainable alternative for high-end construction and design projects.

Asphalt

Recycled asphalt is an essential material in road construction. Asphalt is unique as it can be 100% reused. After processing asphalt from demolition projects, it can then be used for roads and parking lots.

What are the challenges in material salvage?

Material salvaging presents unique challenges that need to be overcome. While it’s easy to say, “just recycle”, the reality is that there are multiple obstacles that need to be accounted for.

Labor and Logistics

Salvaging materials requires skilled labour to sort, deconstruct, and transport reusable materials effectively. We make sure we hire the right people at PDI to meet the demand of salvaging.

Waste Stream Sorting

One of the more challenging aspects of salvaging, is ensuring waste streams are sorted correctly the first time. The way we make sure our salvage is sorted correctly is by sorting the salvage on site. This way we are reducing our cost of emissions on correcting any errors that were made off site.

Is Drywall Salvageable?

Drywall remains one of the most problematic materials in demolition waste. With hundreds of thousands of drywall sheets used in high-rise projects, a large volume still end up in landfills. PDI is actively researching new drywall recycling methods to introduce another sustainable waste stream into our operations.

How Does Material Salvaging Help Our ESG Goals?

Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) programs ensure the accountability of a company by implementing systems to improve each pillar of ESG. Our material salvaging operations help to reduce the amount of waste being sent to landfills, contributes to the circular economy and lowers the carbon footprint of future structures. By ensuring that we are creating a more sustainable future, we can help your organization achieve your ESG goals as well.

Demolition Salvaging

PDI remains at the forefront of sustainable demolition practices, ensuring that every project contributes to a greener future. We aim to recycle 100% of construction materials from each of our projects, with a 95-98% success rate.  By investing in landfill diversion, material salvage, and innovative recycling methods, we are setting the benchmark for responsible demolition—benefiting not only our business, but communities and the environment alike. Request a quote today and see the difference.