MV Contractors SurveyConstruction and Demolition Waste on Martha's Vineyard

1.Each year over 10,000 tons of construction and demolition waste is shipped off Martha's Vineyard for disposal. As a person/company involved in the construction industry, would you like to see more opportunities to reduce, reuse, or recycle these wastes?

Yes

2.What types of challenges would reducing, removing, or repurposing parts of the construction waste stream have for you and your company? (check all that apply)

Additional time and expense for workers to process/separate waste

Would need more space/containers to handle materials at job site

Concept of reducing the waste not supported by homeowner, project team, subs, or workers.

Need more space for temporary and longer term storage of materials after project is completed.

Other (please specify)

3.Would any of the following make it easier for your company to participate in a program to reduce, reuse or re-purpose construction waste? (check all that apply)

A website where builders could post surplus materials they had available or ask the community for materials they need (items could be for sale, swap, or donation)

Locations to drop off reuseable materials

A container system that would be designed for specific separated materials

A business that would come to your site and pickup specific materials (possibly even separating it for you)

A system to get surplus materials to Non-Profits and others involved in Affordable Housing

Any ideas you have to make materials separation and reuse easier starting at the construction site?

4.If the Island had a business that sold repurposed building materials, would you shop there?

Yes

If yes, what types of things would you like to see made available?

5.Demolition - check all the statements below that apply

I/my company has been involved with a substantial (majority/full house,large outbuildings) demolition component of a building project

Prior to demolition I have/would allow only my crew to salvage materials from the building.

Prior to demolition I have/would allow representatives from Non Profits and Affordable Housing to salvage materials.

Prior to demolition, if a company that specializes in reclaiming/salvaging materials from a building was available, I would work with the homeowner to bring them in.

I/my company would need access to reasonably priced, longer term storage to maximize reclamation of materials before demolition.

Other ideas you may have for better reclamation and reuse of materials in a soon to be demolished building.

6.Have you and/or your company tried any projects for separation, reclamation, or repurposing of construction waste? If yes, was it successful and are you still doing it. If not successful, can you explain why and what you might do differently.

7.What ideas do you have to help the Island reduce the amount of construction and demolition waste? Are there useful products to be derived from the waste? Would regulations help? Economic incentives? Better communication tools? More places to store materials?

8.Are there any other comments, ideas, or suggestions you have about how the Island handles construction and demolition wastes?

9.If you would like us to share some of the results of this survey or other information about how we are progressing with this study, please enter your email address below. Thanks so much for taking the time to answer our questions..
Woody Filley