Sustainable Building & Remodeling

Home remodeling in Rhode Island traditionally involves all construction debris going in to a dumpster bound for the landfill. Atlantic Building along with Sustainable Structures of Rhode Island have developed a comprehensive plan to allow for recycling and/or reuse of cardboard, metals, existing materials and finishes, clean wood, asphalt shingles, concrete and a variety of other building components. The system also has an impact on the daily construction process. For example, instead of using new clean lumber for blocking or temporary applications, existing site lumber is cleaned and stripped and given priority over new lumber.

Atlantic Building & Remodeling, LLC has recently begun a complete renovation on a house in historic downtown Newport that will set new standards in green home renovation and remodeling in Rhode Island. This home will qualify for LEED for Homes, and Atlantic Building will be recycling and reusing up to 50% of construction debris, keeping excess trash out of the local landfill. This equates to a reduction of over 30,000 pounds of waste diverted from Johnston’s landfill. The project is in process with an expected completion date of May 31st.

Remodeling creates significantly more tons of debris per square foot than new construction. Rhode Island’s local landfill is currently over 55% capacity, and expected to be full by 2025. There is a wealth of information and guidance readily available on sustainable building and green products in the new construction space; however a clear set of standards for sustainable remodeling projects does not exist regionally. Atlantic Building will set standards for sustainable renovation and remodeling practices using this project as a detailed case study for others to follow.

Atlantic Building & Remodeling President Ralph Plumb has made this a major priority. “With this project we intend to set green building standards that are more applicable to our local community and the resources that are available to us. Changing the way we handle and manage construction waste is critical for the future of our community and our industry.”