Urban Ore
Gauge has developed a range of tools to reduce construction waste. These include standard specifications and clauses that require contractors to develop waste management plans which aim to reduce waste and increase recycling and reuse.
However, for this to work, there must be a local support network of recyclers and in many areas, this does not exist. To explore this Gauge has been reviewing waste clubs and secondhand material and component markets.
This included a fascinating visit to Urban Ore in San Francisco. Urban Ore in San Francisco is a city block full of recycled products. These are bought and neatly stacked on shelves and in yards enabling them to be sold and used easily in new projects. These recycled products often have more character than new products and are a fraction of the price. A large amount of waste is also avoided. Further detail on Urban Ore is available here.