Waste Prevention and Reuse

Green Building

Residential Buildings: An Evaluation of Waste Prevention Practices Using Lifecycle Analysis

Under the direction of the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality’s Waste Prevention Strategy, DEQ completed a study evaluating the environmental benefits of a number of residential building and design practices that are intended to prevent solid waste by either using less material or reusing materials over the life of a home.  Besides solid waste prevention, DEQ evaluated the other environmental benefits of each practice, such as greenhouse gas reductions through material savings and operational energy conservation, toxic emission reductions, and a range of other human health and ecosystem quality related benefits.

The project identifies which practices have the biggest environmental benefit over the life of a residential home.  The results will support decisions by DEQ and others to form programs, policies, and actions to prevent waste generation from the residential building sector in a way that maximizes overall environmental benefits.

Reports

• A Life Cycle Approach to Prioritizing Methods of Preventing Waste from the Residential Construction Sector in the State of Oregon
  • Final Report (Phase 2)
  • Executive Summary only PDF
  • Report only PDF (5.4MB)
  • Appendices (3-14) XLS
  • Appendix 17 PDF
  • News Release
  • Key findings from the Phase 2 study
  • Phase 1 Report
  • Report only  PDF (1.8MB)
  • Appendix 2: Report Cards only PDF (3.4MB)
  • Appendices (7-16) only XLS

• Visit DEQ's Waste Prevention Strategy page.

Waste Prevention Practices Evaluated

Design for Disassembly and Adaptability Design for Standard Dimensions Design Smaller Space Efficient Houses Design for Simplicity Design using Salvaged Materials Detailed Framing Cut List Multi-story housing Advanced Framing (Resource Efficient Framing) Off-site Pre-fabricated Components Dry-wall Clips Durability Screening of Materials Home-owner Maintenance Training Proper Installation Deconstruction

Dematerializing Restoration Ducts in Conditioned Space Multi-family Housing Moisture Management (including adequate flashing and rainscreen methods) Wall Systems - Insulated Concrete Forms (ICFs), Structurally Insulated Panels (SIPS), strawbale walls, rammed earth Engineered lumber and I-Joists Proactive packaging waste prevention strategies (returnable containers, etc…) Passive Solar Design Thermal Curtains (instead of replacing windows)

Next Steps

DEQ will work with stakeholders to increase the adoption of the prioritized waste prevention practices, considering environmental, economic and other benefits and barriers.  Existing efforts, potential partnerships and the need for flexibility in how designers, builders and others engage in waste prevention practices will be part of the conversation.  Potential stakeholders include:  representatives of the design, construction, remodeling, deconstruction and demolition industries; material suppliers, green building specialists, community organizations, building associations and non profits; and government housing, code, planning and energy agencies.

More information

Contact:

Jordan Palmeri, Oregon DEQ
503-229-6766
or  .

Additional Resources

DEQ‘s Green Building Program is focused on researching and increasing the adoption of waste prevention practices in residential construction.  Since the program is not a comprehensive green building program, DEQ offers the following links for those seeking more information on green building:

• City of Portland’s Green Building Resource Center
• Oregon Department of Energy’s High Performance Home
• Cascadia Region Green Building Council
• International Living Building Institute
• Energy Trust of Oregon
• Earth Advantage
• Northwest EcoBuilding Guild
• Lifecycle Building Challenge

[print version]