Building Materials: Recycled Building Materials.

Recycled steel saves more than 70% of the energy used in manufacturing new steel from primary ore.

Recycling conserves material resources reduces waste disposal, embodied energy cost and pollution through production. Recycling saves large amounts of energy that would have been required in the manufacturing phase.

Consumers should be encouraged to set goals to utilise recycled products instead of new wherever possible. Be open minded to opportunities which will allow this to happen, and flexible enough to make design and structural elements change where needed. With the initial goal to recycle clearly stated at the start, the project will have more success in achieving its goal.

Recycling is sometimes made difficult by high labour costs which makes it uneconomical to recycle or reuse many construction materials. The cost of labour to remove nails from timber may well exceed the cost of buying new timber, and consequently used timber is usually designated to land fill. As owner builders, the Newtons' opted to do this labour themselves rather then paying for out-sourced labour. With a routine established, the job was not as difficult as the thought of it.

The quality, strength and length of timber obtained from demolition sites are superior to modern timbers. The disadvantages working with old hardwoods include added weight, hardness and the need to use special woodworking tools. Environmentally and financially, recycled timber remains the best option.

Recyling and the Newton House

The Newton House is pole framed. Poles have been purchased second hand from an auction at the Brisbane Port Authority, Hemmant in 1999. These are previously used as wharf pylons, their history indicated that they would have initially been logged on Fraser Island, and were taken to Horn Island. When pulled down to make way for concrete pylons, they were transported back to Brisbane. The pylons are turpentine and iron bark timber.

Hardwood for the structure and framework of the house was purchased from a Cupitt Demolition in Beenleigh, the timbers from local properties. The timber is seasoned and came in long lengths that are rarely available.

The Newton House will utilise a large amount of second hand products such as timbers, doors, windows and vanity basins. These have been sourced from auctions, demolition yards and friends. The key is to keep an open mind and opportunities follow. The financial and environmental benefits are substantial.

Links

http://www.arrnetwork.com.au/pls/workplace/sb_sab.main