City of Berkeley Public-Private Partnership

Link: https://www.epa.gov/transforming-waste-tool/case-study-berkeley

Berkeley, CA

"The City of Berkeley owns and operates its transfer station, and the City has a contract with a locally owned for-profit business called Urban Ore, which was founded in 1980. Urban Ore has exclusive rights to salvage reusable materials from the City’s transfer station tip floor, where materials are collected and hauled to the landfill. Urban Ore is allocated space on the transfer station property for a staff shed and a box truck which transports the salvaged materials to the company’s reuse retail and recycling Ecopark on the other side of town. There, the materials are processed and sold for reuse and recycling. Urban Ore salvagers also spot and report hazardous materials to City staff to avoid illegal disposal.

In July 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic, the Berkeley City Council renewed Urban Ore’s contract and re-established its salvage service fee of $47.74 for every ton salvaged from the City’s transfer station. This is the same amount that the City pays another third party for hauling and landfill disposal tipping fees."

[Additional info to be posted.]

Moving, Deconstruction or Demolition of Buildings Code

Link: https://www.cityofboise.org/departments/planning-and-development-services/building/demolitiondeconstruction/

Boise, ID

"This chapter of City Code provides minimum standards and requirements for contractors, developers and owners when moving, deconstructing, or demolishing buildings and structures.

This code includes provisions such as required permits, bonds, insurance, notifications, any barriers needed, debris removal, and recycle or reuse provisions.

The city has implemented a Deconstruction and Demolition Material and Waste Management Plan to provide contractors with a guide to identify materials diverted from the landfill as waste to be recycled or reused.

Executive Order to a Unified, City-led Deconstruction Policy (April 2021)

Link: https://pittsburghpa.gov/mayor/deconstruction

Pittsburgh, PA

Blight reduction, waste reduction, climate action, social equity, job training opportunities, human health (safe disposal of hazardous materials, air quality), historical preservation, monetary cost of demolition

Summary of commitments:

• The following City Departments must contribute to a unified City-led deconstruction policy (specifics provided in Executive Order document):
  • Department of Permits, Licenses, & Inspections
  • Office of Management & Budget
  • Department of Public Works
  • Department of City Planning
  • Department of Finance
• Pilot deconstruction on City-owned condemned properties
• Develop a neighborhood engagement and plain language marketing strategy
• Develop a Deconstruction Action Council
• Commitment to focus on structures in historically Black business districts and low-income communities.

Seattle Department of Construction & Inspections / City of Seattle Department of Planning and Development Guidelines - How to Qualify for a Residential Deconstruction Permit (2009)

Link: https://www.seattle.gov/sdci/permits/permits-we-issue-(a-z)/residential-deconstruction

Seattle, WA

Waste reduction, preservation of natural resources.

To qualify for a residential deconstruction permit, you must:

• Reuse a minimum of 20 percent of the building materials, by weight and excluding asphalt, brick, and concrete
• Recycle or reuse a minimum of 50 percent of the building materials, by weight and excluding asphalt, brick, and concrete
• Recycle or reuse 100 percent of asphalt, brick, and concrete
• Submit a Waste Diversion Plan with your permit application and plans
• Submit a Waste Diversion Report that identifies the actual rates of salvaged and recycled materials when deconstruction is complete
• Complete a salvage assessment through an online portal
  • See pdf version here: SalvageAssessmentForm.pdf (205.78 KB)

Requires payment of base fee, per the Fee Subtitle, plus any additional review fees.

Related policy/commitments/targets:

• REUSE SEATTLE is a public-private partnership aiming to help Seattle's businesses and residents move from single-use to reuse. 
  • Link: https://www.reuseseattle.org/
• 2022 Solid Waste Plan Update
  • Link: https://www.seattle.gov/utilities/about/plans/solid-waste/2022-plan-update

Potentially shortened timeline to receive deconstruction permit compared to the new building permit sometimes required for demolition 

https://www.seattle.gov/sdci/permits/green-building/priority-green-expedited-overview