Solution to Austin’s Construction and Demolition Recycling Ordinance
A house mover can play a crucial role in helping a developer comply with the City of Austin's Construction and Demolition (C&D) Recycling Ordinance, which mandates that a significant portion of construction and demolition debris be diverted from landfills to recycling or reuse. Here’s how a house mover can assist:
Pre-Demolition Planning: Before moving or demolishing a building, house movers can help developers assess the potential for salvaging materials. By relocating an entire structure, or even a portion of, (e.g., house moving) to a new site, instead of demolishing it, developers can reduce the amount of waste generated, helping meet the ordinance’s recycling goals.
Reusing Building Materials: When a house is being moved rather than demolished, many materials such as wood, windows, doors, and metal components can be preserved. This aligns with the ordinance's requirements for reducing construction waste by encouraging material reuse.
Deconstruction Over Demolition: If the house mover is also involved in the demolition process, they can employ deconstruction methods instead of traditional demolition. i.e. Send original concrete foundation and sitework to concrete recycling facility.
Waste Diversion Documentation: Under the C&D Recycling Ordinance, developers are required to document and report the diversion of materials from landfills. A house mover can help by providing detailed records of the materials moved, reused, or recycled, which are necessary for compliance reporting to the city.
By choosing to relocate or carefully deconstruct a building, house movers can help developers minimize waste, comply with the City of Austin’s C&D Recycling Ordinance, and support sustainable building practices.
Which projects are affected by the Ordinance?
Construction projects: Building permits for more than 5,000 square feet of new, added or remodeled floor area.
Commercial demolition projects: Commercial and multifamily demolition projects of all sizes.
How does a developer comply with the Ordinance?
General contractors with affected projects must do at least one of the following:
Divert at least 50% of the construction and demolition project debris from the landfill, or
Dispose of less than 2.5 pounds of construction and demolition debris per square foot of permitted floor area in the landfill.
Learn more about City of Austin’s C&D Recycling Ordinance.