Grant allows development of new online recycling documentation program
July 28, 2006

Milwaukee, WI - A new online recycling tracking program will soon be available to contractors statewide on their construction, demolition, and remodeling projects.

The program, which is currently being developed by WasteCap Wisconsin and Solid and Hazardous Waste Education Center (SHWEC), was discussed Thursday at WasteCap Wisconsin's latest Talk & Tour titled: "The Future of Documenting Recycling Efforts." Attendees shared their ideas and suggestions to help shape the future of state-wide recycling documentation.

A grant by the Environmental Protection Agency and Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources made the program possible.

"This online program will make it easier for contractors to see the results of their recycling efforts," Jenna Kunde of WasteCap Wisconsin said, "plus it will allow us to make conclusions and suggestions for how the state can move forward and achieve better results in construction waste management."

At this WasteCap Wisconsin Talk & Tour, attendees learned about the recycling program underway at the historic St. Anthony's Parish, one of The Jansen Group's seven local projects participating in the online program's testing stages. The project took great pains to preserve as much of the original church as possible, including the original church tower.

The combination of old and new at St. Anthony's Parish is creating a modern yet traditional experience for parish members. Entering through a light-filled glass entryway with exposed wood beams and historic stone reused from one of the dismantled walls, parish members will walk into the new rotated worship space featuring huge curved wood beams spanning the vaulted ceiling and decorative concrete walls. The limestone was carefully removed so that it could be recycled into the project and nearly all of it was reused. The plaster on the inside walls was stripped, exposing the same original stone preserved throughout the project.

"Much of the salvaged materials were actually reused or recycled for new uses on the project," Monique Charlier, project manager for The Jansen Group who is working on the St. Anthony's Parish project, said. "It is a great example of how the environmental impact of a demolition and dismantling project can be minimized."

This Talk & Tour gave attendees the chance to meet recycling leaders from The Jansen Group, HGA Architects and WasteCap Wisconsin, to learn about the new online documentation program and how it applies to the demolition, construction and remodeling at St. Anthony's Parish in Menomonee Falls. Area contractors, architects, recyclers, government officials, haulers, engineers and environmental consultants attended the event.