University of New Hampshire recycles 98% of building

Dec. 12 -- More than 98% of a near 100-year-old building at the University of New Hampshire was recycled in the school´s first effort at jobsite recycling.

The university, in Concord, worked with Harvey Construction of Bedford, N.H., and the Institution Recycling Network to recover materials from the wooden DeMeritt Hall, which was home to the school´s physics department.

Recycling of the old structure included 1,614 tons of concrete, brick and other aggregates, 176 tons of wood, 147 tons of metal and 387 tons of other materials. A total of 43 tons were discarded.

Construction of the new DeMeritt Hall involved a 96% recycling rate, with 316 tons of construction debris recovered. A total of 14 tons were discarded.

The Institution Recycling Network works with colleges and universities, hospitals, schools, and private companies to improve the performance and economics of recycling.

Contact Waste News senior reporter Jim Johnson at (937) 964-1289 or jpjohnson@crain.com