Joslyn Institute for Sustainable Communities

Initiatives: Nebraska Center for Sustainable Construction

Primarily funded through the generous support of the Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality (NDEQ), the Nebraska Center for Sustainable Construction (NCSC) takes the "reduce, recycle, reuse" mantra into the realm of the construction industry and the built environment. NCSC has established services to building owners and the construction industry for the reduction of construction waste and building demolition materials in community landfills.

EcoStores Nebraska

The center established a salvaged materials sales venue as an alternative to the usual demolition and disposal of buildings as waste. Ecostores, located at 530 P Street in Lincoln, Nebraska, opened its doors in 2004.

Through EcoStores, NCSC is organized to stimulate and supply the re-use and recycling of construction materials back into the economy of construction in eastern Nebraska. In partnership with the Nebraska State Building Division, the City of Lincoln, and the Lincoln Action Program, the NCSC will also conduct job training and educational programs for sustainable and green construction methods across the state.

In 2007, EcoStores received 146,500 pounds of donated building materials from businesses and individuals. Another 176,000 pounds of building materials were salvaged through their deconstruction efforts. These efforts resulted in a total of 322,500 pounds of building materials being diverted from the landfill. This was an 83% increase in the amount diverted from the previous year.

Curious as to what is in stock? Visit the EcoStores website for a list of materials currently available in the warehouse.

DeConstruction Nebraska

Deconstruction is the comprehensive and responisble disassembly of structures for the purpose of reusing the structures’ components and building materials. The primary intent is to divert the maximum amount of building materials from the waste stream.

In July 2006, the Walton Trail Co. building and adjacent house in Lincoln, NE became the first in the area to undergo what was formerly a common practice: the selective dismantlement or removal of materials allowing the majority of the materials to be salvaged for reuse. The deconstruction team included young adults from the Lincoln Action Program and EcoStores volunteers, with training conducted by NCSC/Ecostores employees.

A 2008 DEQ grant has enabled the NCSC to conduct a series of workshops for the purpose of training new prospective employees for the local construction industry with experience in deconstruction. These workshops will educate youth and connect them with experienced adult construction supervisors and laborers.

A convenient fact sheet on construction waste minimization methods during new construction is now available. Click here to view the fact sheet. >

Energy Efficiency and Waste Stream Workshops

Text to come.