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Distributed May
10, 2007
NR# 20070510-01
|
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:
Rebecca Wallace
(608) 231-9275
E-mail: rwallace@fs.fed.us
Website: www.fpl.fs.fed.us
Building Materials Go From Trash to Treasure
Conference to teach recycling and re-use of construction and demolition waste
MADISON, Wis.— The steel
and concrete skeletons of new buildings all around Madison might lead you
to believe that construction is the talk of the town. But it’s just
the opposite—deconstruction—that will have the attention of an
international audience next week at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
The 2007 Building Materials Reuse Association (BMRA) Conference on Deconstruction,
Building Materials Reuse, and C&D Recycling will bring together eco-conscious
professionals from many industries May 14-16, 2007, at the Memorial Union.
“Anyone interested in materials reuse and recycling will find opportunities
for learning and discussion at the conference,” says Dr. Robert Falk,
research engineer at the US Forest Service Forest Products Laboratory (FPL)
and conference chairman. “The agenda covers the full spectrum of building
materials conservation.”
Deconstruction, the dismantling of structures for the salvage and re-use
of building materials, has been a major area of research for Falk, who is
co-author of a Fine Homebuilding book on the subject titled Unbuilding: Salvaging
Architectural Treasures from Unwanted Houses to be unveiled at the conference.
Forty speakers are scheduled to present on topics including how to start
a re-use store, Hurricane Katrina salvage, commercial and military deconstruction,
abandoned house deconstruction, asphalt shingle recycling, and the structural
re-use of salvaged lumber, according to Falk.
Wisconsin is well represented at the conference by many area businesses
that specialize in building materials re-use. Among others, David Waisman
of the Madison Environmental Group will present a case study of the re-use
and recycling of materials from Meriter Hospital construction projects and
Tom Holmes of Glenville Timberwrights in Baraboo will discuss his business
of timber framing using reclaimed materials.
In addition to lectures and discussions, attendees will have an opportunity
for certification in materials re-use during two full-day certification training
workshops; BMRA Accreditation in Building Deconstruction and WasteCap Wisconsin
Accreditation in Construction and Demolition Recycling will be conducted at
the Forest Products Laboratory on Thursday, May 17, 2007.
University of Wisconsin art students are adding an aesthetic touch to the
event, showcasing furniture constructed from reclaimed materials. Attendees
will also find exhibits by industry representatives such as deconstruction
consultants, tool manufacturers and environmental service providers.
Sponsors of the conference include BMRA, FPL, WasteCap Wisconsin, The Reuse
People, Madison Environmental Group, and Stanley Tools.
For more information, visit http://www.union.wisc.edu/bmra/index.html.
The U.S. Forest Service Forest Products Laboratory was established in 1910
in Madison, Wis., with the mission to conserve and extend the country’s
wood resources. Today, FPL’s research scientists work with academic
and industrial researchers and other government agencies in exploring ways
to promote healthy forests and clean water and improve papermaking and recycling
processes. Through FPL’s Advanced Housing Research Center, researchers
also work to improve homebuilding technologies and materials. Information
is available at FPL’s Web site: www.fpl.fs.fed.us.
# # #
For photos or additional information, contact:
Gordie Blum
Director of Communications
Forest Products Laboratory
gblum@fs.fed.us
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