Managing building materials

Whether you are a homeowner or contractor, you have an opportunity to salvage, reuse, and recycle materials when undergoing a construction or demolition project. About 85 percent of the materials in a typical demolition project could be kept out of landfills. But currently, only about 30 percent of building materials are reused or recycled.

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Design with used building materials

Incorporating used building materials into project designs reduces waste and embodied carbon associated with new materials, increases demand for used building materials, and supports local reuse retailers. Installing used building materials can also help meet green building certification requirements, such as LEED.

Finding used building materials

Used building materials can be acquired from a variety of sources including architectural antique companies, non-profit organizations, other building projects, and online platforms such as Next Door or Facebook Marketplace. Many stores in the Twin Cities sell used building materials, such as doors, windows, light fixtures, cabinets, hardwood flooring and hardware. These materials lend authenticity to a remodel in an older home or uniqueness and style to any construction project. These building material reuse organizations (PDF) sell used building materials.

The Hennepin County Choose to Reuse website and the All for Reuse ecosystem map also provide information about business and organizations that sell or offer used building materials.

Project Manager’s Guide to Building Material Reuse on Commercial Projects

Learn how to waste less and build better with the Project Manager’s Guide to Material Reuse in Commercial Buildings (PDF) . This guide is for owners, architects, and contractors to help them build with reclaimed materials on a commercial scale.

The guide contains specification language, guidance for procurement, and case studies of successful reuse projects around the country. A selection of template documents are provided in the appendices to support reuse and deconstruction on commercial-scale projects by addressing barriers in current construction documents and workflows.

The Project Manager’s Guide to Building Material Reuse on Commercial Projects (PDF) was created in collaboration with Hennepin County, the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities Center for Sustainable Building Research, MSR Design, and Doors Unhinged through the Hennepin-University Partnership.

Used building material installation grant

Property owners and developers of residential or commercial properties can receive up to $5,000 to help offset the additional time and costs associated with installing used building materials into projects.

Applications for grant funding are closed. Applications for 2025 will be open January 1, 2025.

Additional resources

Plan ahead and communicate your used building material plans with your contractor, architect, and/or designer. Find an architect or designer with expertise in sustainable design registered with the American Institute of Architects - Minnesota.

Consider deconstruction

Deconstruction prevents usable materials from going to the landfill, makes used building materials available to the community, creates jobs, and supports local reuse retailers.

In a deconstruction project, a building is taken apart mostly by hand, and materials are sorted into categories for efficient recycling and reuse.

It is important to plan ahead when considering deconstruction because the project could take longer to complete and could have increased labor costs. Ask your contractor if they can incorporate deconstruction into your project.

Deconstruction grant program

Hennepin County has funding available for projects that reuse and recycle building materials as an alternative to mechanical demolition in the removal, alteration, or renovation of a building. Property owners and developers can receive up to $5,000 for residential properties and up to $10,000 for commercial properties to help offset the additional time and labor costs associated with deconstruction.

Salvage reusable materials

Many building materials can be salvaged for reuse. Reuse is environmentally preferred over recycling or trash disposal because it avoids energy use and costs associated with manufacturing new products and diverts materials from landfills.

Common building materials that can typically be salvaged for reuse include:

Appliances
Cabinets
Doors
Hot water radiators
Light fixtures
Plumbing fixtures
Windows
Wood flooring and trim

Building material reuse organizations

There are organizations that can come to your property to remove building materials and some organizations that accept building materials as a donation. Contact organizations directly to check for materials accepted, drop-off hours, and other considerations such as material pick-up.

Additionally, used building materials can be given away or sold through online platforms such as Next Door or Facebook Marketplace.

Recycle construction and demolition materials

Construction and demolition recycling facilities

Some building materials that can’t be salvaged for reuse can be recycled. There are construction and demolition recycling facilities in the Twin Cities that recycle materials such as asphalt, metals, and wood. Recycling building materials is environmentally preferred over landfilling.

The companies listed below achieve a minimum 60% recycling rate and accept loads of construction and demolition materials from residents and contractors. They can also provide roll-off boxes to keep onsite to collect materials throughout the project at a comparable price of landfilling.

LRS (formerly Atomic Recycling)

612-623-8888
Atomic Recycling website

Dem-Con

952-445-5755
Dem-Con website

Communicate your reuse and recycling plans

It is important to communicate your building material salvage and recycling plans with your contractor when planning a home remodeling, construction, or demolition project. Use the tips below to get started.

Set clear goals

Decide on salvage and recycling goals from the start of the project to help you chose the right contractor to meet your needs.

Ask contractors how they manage waste

When searching for a contractor, inquire about how the company manages waste.

Do they incorporate salvage or deconstruction into their projects? Do they bring debris to a construction and demolition recycling facility? If not, are they willing to try it out for your project?

Communicate throughout the project

Discussing your reuse and recycling plans throughout the entire project can help ensure materials are handled properly. Consider writing a contract describing your reuse and recycling goals and requirements. Routine check-ins may also help confirm the project is going as planned.

Follow up

After project completion, ask the contractor for documentation verifying reuse and recycling goals were met. Documentation may include scale tickets from recycling processors or receipts from used building material organizations.

Properly dispose of hazardous building materials

Oftentimes, hazardous building materials are discovered during construction and demolition projects. Managing hazardous building materials properly is important in protecting public health and the environment and is required by law.

Hazardous building materials such as paint, fluorescent bulbs, mercury thermostats, and lawn, garden and automotive materials should be removed prior to demolition or construction work and properly disposed of.

Once hazardous building materials are removed from a property, they need to be properly managed through reuse, recycling, or disposal at a permitted facility. Refer to the list of Hazardous and Universal Waste Disposal Companies for C&D Sites (PDF).

Architectural paint, primer, sealer and clear-coat waste from households can be taken to a Paint Care site free of charge, with some restrictions. For eligibility and restrictions, and participating collection sites, visit Paint Care.

Hazardous materials from residential households

Some hazardous building materials from residential households may be accepted at Hennepin County drop-off facilities for disposal.

Before you visit, check the Green Disposal Guide to verify that your items are accepted and see if there are limits or fees. Please note Hennepin County does not accept waste from businesses, with the exceptions of cardboard, scrap metal, recycling, and organics recycling from small businesses.

Hennepin County drop-off facility locations

Map: Bloomington facility
1400 West 96th Street, Bloomington, MN 55431

Map: Brooklyn Park facility
8100 Jefferson Highway, Brooklyn Park, MN 55445

Learn more about visiting the drop-off facilities.

Additional resources

Non-household waste at residential properties

If you come across non-household quantities or types of hazardous waste at residential demolition sites, contact a hazardous waste disposal vendor to help identify proper management methods and permitted disposal companies and the EPA ID number necessary to dispose of hazardous waste. Learn more about applying for an EPA ID Number from the MPCA's Obtain a Hazardous Waste Identification Number factsheet (PDF). If you need further assistance, contact Hennepin County at 612-348-3777.

VSQG collection program and one-time generators

In some cases, demolition or renovation properties may be required to obtain a hazardous waste ID number to dispose of hazardous waste as a VSQG (Very Small Quantity Generator) or one-time generator. Contact Hennepin County for assistance in obtaining a hazardous waste ID number, identifying proper management methods, and finding licensed or permitted disposal companies. Learn more about managing and disposing of hazardous waste.

Asbestos in demolitions or renovations

Asbestos-containing materials are required to be removed prior to demolition or renovation per Hennepin County Ordinance 7 Paragraph 2.07 B and State of Minnesota Rule 7035.0805. Learn more about requirements for proper identification, management, and disposal of asbestos in demolition and renovations:

Minnesota Department of Health, 651-201-4620
Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, 800-657-3864

Schedule a pre-demolition inspection

Hennepin County staff conduct pre-demolition inspections of residential and commercial properties to help ensure regulated materials are removed prior to demolition and properly disposed of. Inspections are scheduled as spot-checks based on type of property and staff availability.

If you are a contractor, property owner, or city staff with an upcoming demolition project, please submit a pre-demolition notification. County staff will contact you after submittal of the notification form if a pre-demolition inspection needs to be scheduled.

What to expect

During the inspection, county staff will note any hazardous building materials that need to be removed prior to the start of demolition. If any materials are observed during the inspection, the contractor or property owner will be required to submit documentation to verify materials were properly disposed of (example: receipts from appliance recycler).

A follow up inspection is generally not required.

Copies of the following are required from the demolition contractor, property owner, or their designee to meet Hennepin County pre-demolition inspection program requirements:

Demolition/Renovation notification - download the document from the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency
Asbestos survey, survey report, abatement receipts, and disposal manifests
Disposal receipts including manifests for all wastes
Proof-of-disposal or proof-of-recycling documents for all wastes

Additional resources

Contact the city where the work is taking place for any additional requirements
Prepare for your pre-demolition inspection by completing a Pre-Renovation/demolition environmental checklist - download the document from the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency
Email demo@hennepin.us for more information about pre-demolition inspections or to discuss your project

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