Shifting from wasteful demolition practices to a circular construction economy in New York state could create thousands of green jobs and advance ambitious climate goals – while reducing pressure on landfills, Cornell University experts report in a new white paper that aims to inform proposed state legislation.

Published today, “Constructing a Circular Economy in New York State: Deconstruction and Building Material Reuse” provides policymakers, state agencies and local governments with a roadmap for transitioning from today’s “take-make-waste” linear construction to one that prioritizes the systematic deconstruction of buildings and the reuse of materials that retain substantial value, along with their embodied carbon.

According to the researchers’ analysis, converting half to three-quarters of residential building demolitions to deconstructions would have a direct economic impact of $872 million to $1.4 billion; create between 8,130 and 12,630 jobs; and reclaim 270,000 to 420,000 tons of materials for reuse.

Reviewing data and best practices from across the country, the white paper offers 19 policy and practice recommendations.

“Relative to demolition and landfilling, deconstruction and reuse create considerably more economic, environmental and social value, and can be instrumental in achieving New York state’s economic and climate goals,” said Felix Heisel, assistant professor of architecture and director of the Circular Construction Lab.

Buildings and waste are the first- and fourth-largest greenhouse gas-emitting sectors in New York state, responsible for 43% of annual emissions, according to the authors. Construction and demolition (C&D) debris accounts for nearly half of all waste generated in the state. The two largest C&D landfills – in Brookhaven, on Long Island, and upstate in Seneca Falls – are scheduled to close or stop accepting C&D by the end of 2025.

Up to 90% of building materials can be reused or recycled, and 80% of what is landfilled – from wooden and steel structural beams to floorboards or fixtures – still holds economic value, according to the white paper.

New York State Assemblymember Anna Kelles (D-125th District) said the independent, comprehensive white paper will help her draft related legislation, including proposing templates and incentives for local deconstruction ordinances and resolutions, like one adopted recently by the City of Auburn; workforce training; infrastructure for storing reusable building materials; and an online materials marketplace.

“This white paper both provides a strategic blueprint and highlights existing legislation across the country that, when adopted concurrently in New York, will establish a sufficient quality building supply, an accessible marketplace, a trained workforce and supportive policies to establish a robust circular economy,” Kelles said. “Given the state of climate change and instability in global supply chains that it can and will cause, we need to move quickly, and this is too important not to get right.”

There will be a virtual discussion about the white paper on Oct. 7. The research was supported by The 2030 Project, a climate initiative within the Cornell Atkinson Center for Sustainability.