Lean, green work site machine PDF Print E-mail

Twin Cities Habitat homes are built with an eye on reducing waste and recycling materials wherever possible.

Here are some examples:

Design stage

  • Computer software develops initial house plans with precise measurements to eliminate wasted materials.
  • Pre-assembled panels are kept at even measurements to make the best use of dry wall materials.
  • Lumber cutoffs are recycled and used for wall blocking, to which cabinets and towel bars are attached.

Volunteers

  • Volunteers are asked to recycle cardboard used to package appliances, and any aluminum or plastic products that they bring to the site.
  • Volunteers are asked to "measure twice and cut once" to reduce the amount of cut off waste.

Materials

  • Blown cellulose, made of recycled paper, is used for insulating homes.
  • Using in-kind donations recycles construction materials that might otherwise have gone to a landfill.
  • Interlocking laminate flooring, which is an engineered product that does not use natural hardwoods, comes in standard lengths to eliminate waste.
  • Cement-board vs. vinyl siding is used whenever possible, which is easier to recycle.

Waste removal

  • Waste removal from TCHFH construction sites is handled by Waste Management. "We're proud to be a contributor to Twin Cities Habitat's program," says Vince Vanella, major account executive, Waste Management. "We make sure all waste is handled properly and cost effectively, and landfilling is always a last resort," says Vanella.
    The cost-competitive services provided by Waste Management saves us enough money to build an extra house every other year," said John Davis, in-kind manager, TCHFH.

Contributed by Kay Malchow

 
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