A Guide for Denver General Contractors

*The Perks Deconstruction team deconstructs a commercial property in Aurora, Colorado. 12,000 bricks were salvaged and cleaned for reuse on site.*

As waste reduction and recycling initiatives expand across Colorado, general contractors and builders in cities all along the Front Range are faced with how to implement sustainability practices – specifically, how to reuse and recycle building materials from construction and demolition jobs. Denver, Lakewood, Boulder, and Aspen are all requiring construction and demolition projects to separate and recycle materials like concrete, wood, and metal. So how do contractors adapt their practices and stay compliant while maximizing cost savings and efficiency?

One valuable resource for contractors navigating material reuse is Hennepin County, Minnesota’s “Project Manager’s Guide to Building Material Reuse on Commercial Projects.” While originally designed for Minnesota, this guide provides practical strategies that can be applied to projects in Denver and beyond. Here are key takeaways that can help contractors incorporate material reuse into their operations.

Caption: Watch a presentation from the HUP team about this deconstruction guide for contractors. Learn more on the HUP website.

Integrate Reuse into Project Planning

A proactive approach is essential. The guide emphasizes embedding material reuse and recycling requirements into project specifications and procurement processes from the start. This means:

Including salvage and reuse requirements in bid documents.
Identifying potential materials for reuse before demolition begins.
Working with subcontractors and suppliers who specialize in reclaimed materials.

In Denver, contractors can use this approach to align with city mandates while also benefiting from tax incentives and potential cost savings.

Need a subcontractor to take care of reusing and recycling materials from your job? Contact us for deconstruction services and compliance guidance.

Leverage Local Deconstruction & Salvage Resources

Instead of traditional demolition, consider deconstruction, which involves carefully dismantling buildings to preserve valuable materials. The guide highlights several benefits of deconstruction, including:

Cost savings from reduced disposal fees
Higher diversion rates that contribute to sustainability goals
Access to reclaimed materials that can be used in future projects
Reclaimed building materials that are donated or sold for additional revenue

In Boulder and Denver, organizations like Resource Central and Habitat for Humanity ReStores provide a practical outlet for donating and purchasing reusable items.

Did you know? Perks Deconstruction salvages building materials and sells them back to the public! Learn more about our Warehouse.

Use Specification Language to Ensure Compliance

For seamless implementation, the guide provides template language for bid requests and contracts. This ensures:

Contractors and subcontractors understand expectations around material reuse
Compliance with Denver’s recycling and diversion mandates
Clear benchmarks for tracking and reporting salvaged materials

By adopting these templates, Denver contractors can streamline compliance and avoid potential penalties.

Document and Track Material Reuse

Keeping accurate records is crucial for both regulatory compliance and future project planning. The guide suggests tracking:

Quantities and types of materials salvaged
Where materials are reused or donated
Cost savings from avoiding landfill fees and purchasing new materials

Need help creating waste management plans for your permitted demolition project? Contact our experienced consultants for staff training, reuse and recycling plan creation and implementation, and more.

The Bottom Line: Why This Matters for Denver Builders

By leveraging insights from the Hennepin County guide and integrating best practices into daily operations, builders can meet city requirements while improving project efficiency. Now is the time to make sustainable construction the standard in the Denver Metro area.

How we can help

The Perks Deconstruction team can provide waste diversion plans, remove and separate materials, and compile waste reports upon project completion. Our seasoned experts can help your team comply with local policies and take care of materials seamlessly and efficiently. Learn more and contact us today!

Deconstruction Facts and Statistics

From the HUP Project Manager’s Guide to Material Reuse in Commercial Buildings

Six hundred million tons of construction and demolition (C&D) debris were generated in the United States in 2018, 90% of which was demolition waste and 10% construction waste, totaling more than the amount of municipal solid waste. (Original source: EPA, 2018)

Over 90% of a building’s materials can be reused or recycled through proper deconstruction practices.

Reusing building materials can save between 30-50% on project costs compared to using new materials.

Incorporating reuse specifications into contract language has been shown to improve material diversion rates by up to 70%.

Tracking and reporting reuse efforts can reduce landfill disposal by 50-75%, significantly lowering environmental impact.

Deconstruction and reuse efforts can reduce embodied carbon emissions by up to 40% compared to traditional demolition and new material use.

Approximately 70% of construction and demolition debris can be diverted from landfills when reuse and recycling programs are properly implemented.

Maximizing Material Reuse and Recycling