Industry experts believe that 99% of any demolished building can be diverted from the landfill, and that up to 90% of materials, including asphalt, metal, and concrete, are completely recyclable. The City of Ferndale’s City Manager’s Office is working to increase the landfill diversion rate for major waste sources, as well as mandating deconstruction practices instead of demolition. Catalyst Leadership Circle Fellow Michelle Marin drafted an ordinance and corresponding deliverables aimed to increase the diversion of currently landfilled waste through recycling and reuse mechanisms during construction and demolition. Marin’s report addresses the financial aspects associated with environmental degradation and exposes the environmental, public health, and safety concerns related to demolition. In addition, it outlines the benefits of deconstruction over demolition and includes possible incentives to aid in compliance.

• Location: Ferndale, MI
• Project Team: Michelle Marin (Fellow), University of Michigan, Taubman College of Architecture and Urban Planning; Claire Dion (Mentor), City of Ferndale; Emily Loomis (Mentor), City of Ferndale; Kristen Wieland (Technical Advisor), Resource Recycling Systems

Project Presentation

Project Report