WasteCap Wisconsin helped connect a building owner, contractors and nonprofit organizations to reuse over 1,000 items from the old Bank One and Yost buildings in Madison -- the first two buildings being razed for the new Overture arts district. WasteCap is subcontracting with Madison Environmental Group, Inc. to document and promote Overture’s reuse and recycling efforts during the first phase of demolition.

WasteCap and Madison Environmental Group organized two reuse days. The first day was used by the participating organizations to identify and mark items for reuse. This process was as simple as placing masking tape on the items and writing the organizations’ initials on the tape, each group having their own color marker. Participating organizations also filled out a sheet listing exactly the items they wanted to reuse. In order to reduce liability, Findorff & Son, the project contractor, removed the items from the building and placed them into separate areas for each organization. The following week the organizations came with their own trucks and collected the items.

Organizations with the capacity to collect, transport and store the items were invited to participate. Organizations included Habitat for Humanity, Goodwill Industries, St. Vincent de Paul, Design Coalition and the New Teen Loft. The Overture Foundation, owners, and Findorff & Son, project contractor, provided the support and labor for the processing of the items.

The organizations were able to reuse over 1,000 items, including everything from doors to the kitchen sink. Some items being reused include: More that 300 light fixtures, approximately 80 solid oak wood doors, oak flooring and cabinets, counter tops, drinking fountains, bathroom soap dispensers, 18 large boxes of wooden hangers and more.

The Overture Foundation is also recycling the ceiling tiles and carpeting from the buildings. UW-Extension staff is working hard to find a home for the limestone facade of the Bank One building.

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Statistics

74% of the materials (by weight) from the deconstructed buildings were recycled (70%) or reused (4%).

Click here for a complete summary of results in .Pdf format or call WasteCap for a copy of the detailed report.