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Regional Initiatives

Deconstruction and Reuse of Building Materials at the St. Francis of Assisi Complex Exit EPA disclaimer
New York Wa$teMatch Exit EPA disclaimer partnered with EPA Region 2 to promote deconstruction and building materials reuse in New York City by facilitating deconstruction and salvaging materials at the St. Francis of Assisi Complex in New York City. Materials promoting deconstruction, building materials reuse, and green building were also developed including:

Project Dates: 2003 - 2004

Carpet Reuse Initiative
Under a grant provided by the Carpet American Care Effort (CARE), New York WA$teMatch Exit EPA disclaimer and CarpetCycle, a carpet removal firm, partnered to find new homes for gently used carpet. These organizations are working together to eliminate thousands of pounds of used carpet from going directly to landfill. CarpetCycle collects old carpet removed in preparation for installing new carpets in office buildings and other commercial properties in the tri-state area. CarpetCycle makes determinations at each job site as to whether the carpet is suitable for reuse, recycling, or disposal. New York WA$teMatch then finds new end-users for the carpet that can be reused. Postings on the New York WA$teMatch's Web site, outreach to nonprofit groups, and other end-users help extend the life of these materials.
Project Date: 2004

Citizens Plan for Reaching Zero Waste in New York City
The New York City Zero Waste Campaign developed a community-based plan, the Citizens Plan for Reaching Zero Waste in New York City, Exiting EPA Web site, link to disclaimer which outlines how the city can begin to reduce the amount of waste it produces, freeing up more city funds for other uses and reducing the city’s dependence on landfilling and incineration. The report proposes a plan for reducing New York City’s waste exports to very close to zero in 20 years, through a combination of waste prevention, reuse, recycling and composting.
Project Date: 2004

Conference on Sustainable Construction in the New York Metropolitan Region
As part of a regional effort to manage waste sustainably in the New York City area, representatives from the construction industry, government, labor unions, and environmental groups attended a green building conference on The Future of a Sustainable Construction Industry in the NYC Region. Exit EPA disclaimer The goal of the conference was to identify the role that higher education and academic institutions can play in developing a sustainable construction industry in the New York City region.
Project Date: May 2004

Green Worker Cooperatives
An outgrowth of New York City's environmental justice movement, Green Worker Cooperatives is a new organization dedicated to creating worker-owned and environmentally-responsible manufacturing businesses in the South Bronx of New York City. Green Worker Cooperatives seeks to create local manufacturing jobs through the reselling of salvaged construction materials. Green Worker Cooperatives' first project will be a Building Materials Reuse Center and Deconstruction Service. It will recover valuable building materials from construction and renovation projects, keeping them out of the waste stream, and supplying low-cost building materials in the process. More information on Green Worker Cooperatives. Exit EPA disclaimer

Deconstruction Workshops
Sponsored by EPA Region 2 office and the New York City Department of Sanitation, these workshops introduced the benefits of deconstruction, the process of implementing deconstruction on projects, and some of the considerations in starting deconstruction businesses or making salvage and recycling standard practices for your company. NY WA$teMatch Exit EPA disclaimer gave out materials that included sample bid and contract documents, resources for supporting business development, and guides to incorporating deconstruction into projects. Videotapes are available. To get more information or place an order, please contact info@wastematch.org or call New York WA$teMatch at (212) 442-5219.
Project Date: March 2003

For information on state requirements and programs for C&D debris management, see EPA Region 2 State Links.

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