The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources announced the implementation of mandatory recycling on all state construction and demolition projects. The initiative will officially begin January 1, 2010.
Champion Environmental Services, Inc., a pioneer of waste reduction in building demolition, took part in several state project studies dating back to 2007; our demolition efforts were monitored and documented by WasteCap Resource Solutions.
Findings were reported back to Governor Jim Doyle, the Wisconsin Department of Administration Division of State Facilities (DSF) and Department of Natural Resources (DNR). Champion provided WasteCap Resource Solutions onsite empirical accreditation along with open interviews of key project managers/field superintendents who clarified the implementation strategies of our best practices for demolition recycling.
Champion’s innovative approach to material recycling help guide recommendations presented to the Wisconsin Department of Administration Division of State Facilities (DSF) and Department of Natural Resources (DNR).
The press release about the program is below.
Interagency cooperation leads to recycling on State of Wisconsin projects
News Release Published: October 19, 2009 by the Central Office
Contact(s): Ann Coakley, DNR Waste and Materials Management Program Director, (608) 261-8449
Recycling required on state construction projects over
$5 million and state demolition projects as of Jan. 1, 2010
MADISON – Wisconsin should see less construction and demolition (C&D) debris in its landfills come the first of the year. A unique partnership among two state agencies and a nonprofit organization has shown that C&D projects throughout Wisconsin can successfully recycle. Based on these results, the Division of State Facilities will be requiring C&D waste to be recycled rather than put in landfills. This will apply to State of Wisconsin construction projects over $5 million and demolition projects advertised for bid after January 1, 2010. The efforts will reduce waste disposal costs, conserve landfill space and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
The encouraging results come from a pilot project in which the nonprofit WasteCap Resource Solutions (formerly WasteCap Wisconsin) worked with the Department of Administration Division of State Facilities (DSF) under a contract with the Department of Natural Resources (DNR). The goal of the project, which began in 2007, was to develop methods, standards and trained staff to result in successful, measured C&D debris recycling on state projects.
Nationally, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency estimates more than 170 million tons of C&D debris are generated each year. In Wisconsin, C&D debris—much of which is recyclable—represents a huge proportion of the municipal solid waste (MSW) stream. A 2002 DNR study found that C&D debris made up nearly 30 percent of the MSW stream, with five of the top 10 largest single components of the MSW being materials found in C&D debris, including untreated wood and shingles as the first and third largest components, respectively.
In recent years, the state of Wisconsin annually approved about $400 million to $500 million for construction, making state projects one of the largest sources of C&D debris generated in Wisconsin.
“We recognized this was a significant effort, not only because of the potential to reuse and recycle C&D debris from state projects,” said Jenna Kunde, executive director of WasteCap. “We knew if we could give contractors experience with C&D reuse and recycling and make it a part of the way they do business with the state; it would have the potential to allow them to implement successful C&D recycling on projects throughout Wisconsin and beyond. It’s a result we’re already seeing realized.”
The inspiration for the project came from Gov. Jim Doyle’s 2005 Conserve Wisconsin Agenda, in which he committed to following green building standards for state buildings and set a 50 percent recycling goal for all state projects. In response, the DSF developed a Sustainable Facilities Policy and Guidelines, including C&D debris management guidelines.
At the same time, the DNR contracted with WasteCap, a nonprofit organization that provides waste reduction and recycling assistance for the benefit of business and the environment, to work with the DSF on the implementation of C&D debris recycling on state projects.
“By any measure, this effort has been a success,” said Dave Haley, State Chief Architect and Deputy Director of the Bureau of Architecture and Engineering for the Department of Administration. “Every pilot project exceeded the 50 percent goal and many of the contractors that recycled on these projects are now recycling on other projects where they are not required to recycle. These projects have an average 84.8 percent recycling rate and have diverted 41,771 tons of material to date—the equivalent of removing 1,500 cars from the road for one year.”
Here are the results:
•UW Madison Biochemistry Phase II (Demolition and Construction)
Recycling rate: 99.12 percent
Tons diverted to date: 25,592
•UW Parkside New Residence Hall Construction
Recycling rate: 60 percent
Tons diverted: 334
•UW Stevens Point – Balwin Hall Renovation
Recycling rate: 90.65 percent
Tons diverted: 231
•UW Superior-Rothwell Student Center Replacement (Demolition and Construction)
Recycling rate: 95.75 percent
Tons diverted to date: 1,339
•UW Whitewater Hyland Hall, Demolition Phase
Recycling rate: 97.65 percent
Tons diverted: 13,694
•UW Whitewater Hyland Hall, Construction Phase
Recycling rate: 65.65 percent
Tons diverted: 581
“We are very pleased with the example this project has set,” said Ann Coakley, director of the DNR Waste and Materials Management Program. “The work the DSF and WasteCap have done, with input from DNR staff, has laid the groundwork for the development of robust C&D recycling markets in Wisconsin and trained some of the state’s biggest contractors in recycling best management practices. This project has helped make Wisconsin a national leader in C&D recycling.”
Additional Resources (both links exit DNR): Governor Doyle’s Conserve Wisconsin agenda and Division 1 Construction Waste Management specifications
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
Monday, October 19, 2009
Thursday, October 15, 2009
Marquette University Demolition
Champion Environmental Services, Inc., in partnership with Opus North, will perform the demolition of four apartment buildings on behalf of Marquette University as part of the new $100 million College of Engineering.
The article below can be found at http://www.globest.com/news/1516_1516/milwaukee/181596-1.html
The author of the article is Katie Hinderer.
"Board Approves $100M Engineering School"
MILWAUKEE-The Marquette University Board of Trustess approved the first phase of the $100 million College of Engineering facility Opus North Corp. has been chosen as the Design-Builder, while Opus Architects & Engineers will serve as the architect of record. Hamel Green & Abramson helped Opus design the project.
Phase one of the project will be the construction of a 100,000-square-foot, five-story building. Four university-owned buildings will be demolished to make way for the new laboratory-focused facility. The building is being constructed using the teaching and research house concept, according to Opus officials. It will have labs, classrooms and student work areas designed to enhance the collaboration between fellow students and staff.
“The facility is organized about a central spine, showcasing dynamic laboratories, and providing collaborative spaces to gather and foster a creative community,” says Terry Helland, director of design architecture for Opus A&E. “The exterior architecture speaks to the lab planning module and the engineering logic of assembly while the repetitive monumental elements and rhythm echo the collegiate gothic architectural vocabulary found elsewhere on campus.”
Marquette University Architect, Thomas Ganey, says “the university expects to break ground for the new building in spring 2010 with initial occupancy planned for August 2011.” The facility will be located on the southwest corner of W. Wisconsin Avenue and N. 16th Street.
Later phases will include a 150,000-square-foot building, which will house classrooms, offices and more labs.
Opus North is a major builder at Marquette. The company is also currently constructing the new Marquette University Law School, set to open during the summer of 2010, and the Joseph and Vera Zilber Hall, a 128,000-square-foot student services and administration buildings, poised to open in November.
The article below can be found at http://www.globest.com/news/1516_1516/milwaukee/181596-1.html
The author of the article is Katie Hinderer.
"Board Approves $100M Engineering School"
MILWAUKEE-The Marquette University Board of Trustess approved the first phase of the $100 million College of Engineering facility Opus North Corp. has been chosen as the Design-Builder, while Opus Architects & Engineers will serve as the architect of record. Hamel Green & Abramson helped Opus design the project.
Phase one of the project will be the construction of a 100,000-square-foot, five-story building. Four university-owned buildings will be demolished to make way for the new laboratory-focused facility. The building is being constructed using the teaching and research house concept, according to Opus officials. It will have labs, classrooms and student work areas designed to enhance the collaboration between fellow students and staff.
“The facility is organized about a central spine, showcasing dynamic laboratories, and providing collaborative spaces to gather and foster a creative community,” says Terry Helland, director of design architecture for Opus A&E. “The exterior architecture speaks to the lab planning module and the engineering logic of assembly while the repetitive monumental elements and rhythm echo the collegiate gothic architectural vocabulary found elsewhere on campus.”
Marquette University Architect, Thomas Ganey, says “the university expects to break ground for the new building in spring 2010 with initial occupancy planned for August 2011.” The facility will be located on the southwest corner of W. Wisconsin Avenue and N. 16th Street.
Later phases will include a 150,000-square-foot building, which will house classrooms, offices and more labs.
Opus North is a major builder at Marquette. The company is also currently constructing the new Marquette University Law School, set to open during the summer of 2010, and the Joseph and Vera Zilber Hall, a 128,000-square-foot student services and administration buildings, poised to open in November.
Demolition Video
Video of our team dropping an elevator shaft on an emergency response job; this initiative is part of an extensive demolition and asbestos abatement project. The work is being facilitated on behalf of a private client and is scheduled to finish late November.
Monday, October 12, 2009
Bid undercutting reaches ridiculous proportions…Another Example
As was reported by Mark Anthony of “Demolition News” back on August 24, 2009, in an article entitled “Bid Undercutting Reaches Ridiculous Proportions,” [link here: http://www.demolitionnews.com/2009/08/24/bid-undercutting-reaches-riduculous-proportions/#comment-1746] Mr. Anthony highlighted the current atmosphere of excessive low bidding on demolition projects across the United States.
I have expressed in previous postings my own theory regarding the current economic climate and lack of aggressive bidding we have witnessed; companies are desperate to solidify any work, even at the expense of losing money. A quick victory for these companies does little to strengthen long term growth and hampers the probability of surviving into the new fiscal year.
Here is a bid tabulation just faxed to our office. The project entailed the asbestos abatement of a former powerhouse in downstate Illinois. The second bid package was for the demolition of the powerhouse. Overall, a moderate size job for both abatement and demolition. Below are the bid results - I have not included the names of any company despite the public nature of this information.
Asbestos Abatement
$279,483
$531,000
$622,000
$745,000
$794,000
$928,700
$2,715,438
Building Demolition
$59,700
$73,900
$118,000
$126,800
$151,764
$163,436
$202,202
$209,436
$224,000
In each bid package, disregard the high and low bids; the disparity is still abysmal. Certainly, these are not the worst results we have encountered.
What I see reflected in the numbers is an economy that exists in the hallo of a coma; vital signs are apparent, cerebral comprehension, departed.
I have expressed in previous postings my own theory regarding the current economic climate and lack of aggressive bidding we have witnessed; companies are desperate to solidify any work, even at the expense of losing money. A quick victory for these companies does little to strengthen long term growth and hampers the probability of surviving into the new fiscal year.
Here is a bid tabulation just faxed to our office. The project entailed the asbestos abatement of a former powerhouse in downstate Illinois. The second bid package was for the demolition of the powerhouse. Overall, a moderate size job for both abatement and demolition. Below are the bid results - I have not included the names of any company despite the public nature of this information.
Asbestos Abatement
$279,483
$531,000
$622,000
$745,000
$794,000
$928,700
$2,715,438
Building Demolition
$59,700
$73,900
$118,000
$126,800
$151,764
$163,436
$202,202
$209,436
$224,000
In each bid package, disregard the high and low bids; the disparity is still abysmal. Certainly, these are not the worst results we have encountered.
What I see reflected in the numbers is an economy that exists in the hallo of a coma; vital signs are apparent, cerebral comprehension, departed.
Champion To Direct Another LEED Project
Champion Environmental Services, Inc. in partnership with the Madison Environmental Group, will facilitate a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification project for the City Row initiative in Madison, Wisconsin.
Prior to the demolition of 11 multiunit residences, Madison Environmental will oversee the deconstruction of the properties. Materials identified for reuse include: hot water heaters, boilers, decorative trim, hardwood flooring, pine/oak doors, decorative handrails, and miscellaneous door hardware/light fixtures.
The project will include the proper removal of all site hazardous waste. Fluorescent lighting with mercury and PCB bulbs and ballast will be properly disposed. All refrigerants will be recovered per Wisconsin Administrative Code NR 488.
The demolition recycling efforts will include concrete, brick, block, asphalt, metals and clean wood. The project is scheduled to begin the first week of November. Champion Environmental Services, Inc. is confident that we will help the client achieve 95% recycling rate through our innovative practices.
Prior to the demolition of 11 multiunit residences, Madison Environmental will oversee the deconstruction of the properties. Materials identified for reuse include: hot water heaters, boilers, decorative trim, hardwood flooring, pine/oak doors, decorative handrails, and miscellaneous door hardware/light fixtures.
The project will include the proper removal of all site hazardous waste. Fluorescent lighting with mercury and PCB bulbs and ballast will be properly disposed. All refrigerants will be recovered per Wisconsin Administrative Code NR 488.
The demolition recycling efforts will include concrete, brick, block, asphalt, metals and clean wood. The project is scheduled to begin the first week of November. Champion Environmental Services, Inc. is confident that we will help the client achieve 95% recycling rate through our innovative practices.
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