Deconstruction: An Alternative to Demolition

Mercy Corps staff member Rick Denhart stands in front of house damaged by Hurricane Katrina. Photo: Caitlin Carlson/Mercy Corps

As more and more residents return home, many face the major decision of how to repair their houses. Where appropriate, Mercy Corps advocates for "deconstruction," which is done by contractors (not bulldozers) who take a home apart piece by piece to salvage reusable materials, recover items of historic value, and reclaim personal belongings if possible.

Salvageable building materials often include cypress floorboards, windows, moldings, mantels, bathroom fixtures and doors. Important benefits of deconstruction are that it keeps tons of solid waste from filling already overflowing landfills and creates job opportunities for construction crews.

Mercy Corps has worked with the city and federal government to make deconstruction a federally reimbursable option for homeowners. Currently, deconstruction is available for homes designated as "historic" by federal regulation, but the goal is to expand this program to others in the near future.

Mercy Corps works closely with the Green Project, which re-sells salvaged building materials to the public at affordable prices.

For information about purchasing recycled building materials, please contact the Green Project at 504-945-0240. Or, visit them at www.thegreenproject.org or 2831 Marais Street, New Orleans.

For information on deconstruction, please contact Rick Denhart at rdenhart@gchr.mercycorps.org or 225-236-2037.