Recycling and Environmental

PHOTO: ADAMO DEMOLITION

ADAMO DEMOLITION

COUNTRY United States

PROJECT Former Kmart Headquarters

CLIENT Forbes/Frankel/Troy Ventures

Adamo Demolition successfully transformed the former Kmart Headquarters in Troy, Michigan. This US$3,000,000 project, covering 110,300 sq m, presented a series of unique challenges. Among them was the site’s proximity to Metro Detroit’s largest shopping center and the building’s intricate design with elevated corridors. A highlight of the project was its recycling rate of over 97%. By partnering with a local crushing company, Adamo transformed concrete debris into reusable aggregates, reducing the need for new raw materials and conserving natural resources. The company’s sorting and magging processes diverted 48,977 t of hard-fill from landfills, repurposing it for roadway material within the landfill itself.

Key to the project’s success was the use of advanced equipment, particularly the versatile Volvo 380 for precise material sorting. This enabled Adamo to efficiently manage and recycle a vast array of materials. ■

PHOTO: COLEMANS

COLEMANS

COUNTRY United Kingdom

PROJECT Emerald Steel

CLIENT Confidential

This project saw Colemans demolish a 90,000-sq-m portal frame building, made up of 4,000 tonnes of primary structural steel.

Due to an initial hesitancy from its risk averse client, Colemans decided the most efficient way to alleviate its client’s concerns was to plan and deliver an end-to-end proof of concept project.

This proof-of-concept project allowed Colemans to successfully capture every stage of the ‘Emerald Steel’ process, giving reassurance and confidence to its client in the form of video, pictorial and in-person witnessing of key stages.

The successful proof of concept project convinced the client to progress with the Emerald Steel initiative in South Wales.

This ultimately resulted in the dismantling and reuse of 4,000 t of steel, of which 600 t was incorporated into the design of a new-build structure on site. So far, the Emerald steel initiative has saved 6,774 t of carbon. ■

PHOTO: GRUPO MITRE

GRUPO MITRE

COUNTRY Argentina

PROJECT Dorrego

CLIENT Gobierno de la Ciudad de Buenos Aires

Grupo Mitre's work on the Dorrego project comprised a 10,000-sq-m site with six sheds, each occupying 8,500 sq m. The project prioritised the recovery and recycling of materials. The metal sheets from sheds was used to build a new perimeter fence and selling the excess to Galeria. Column bases and debris were processed into ecoaggregates for new construction projects, and the interlocking floor blocks of the structures were reused in Grupo Mitre’s new operations complex, which is being constructed entirely from recycled materials. This project achieved a 99% recycling rate. ■

PHOTO: JMX CONTRACTING

JMX CONTRACTING

COUNTRY Canada

PROJECT 6900 Maritz Dr, Mississauga, Ontario

CLIENT Torque Builders Inc

The eco-friendly demolition of 6900 Maritz Drive in Mississauga involved meticulous planning and teamwork.

The project comprised the demolition of a two-storey, 9,300-sq-m building on a 21,200-sq-m site.

Describing the project as more than just a teardown, JMX took apart the structure piece by piece, achieving a 93% recycling rate and maintaining a spotless safety record.

The works involved salvaging and selling valuable mechanical and electrical equipment, and donating reusable interior finishes. This approach not only kept tonnes of materials out of landfills but also supported local organisations and reduced waste. Concrete and asphalt were recycled to minimise the need for new materials and reduce environmental impact. The project even included careful site restoration with native soil and strict erosion control measures, protecting the neighbouring greenbelt and educational institution. ■

PHOTO: TAGREGARDOS

TAGREGARDOS

COUNTRY Portugal

PROJECT Gouvães Quarry

CLIENT Domingos da Silva Teixeira, for Iberdrola Generación

Removal of the Gouvães Quarry in Portugal required detailed planning to enable environmental restoration works. Tagregados performed the demolition phase’s most delicate tasks, which were complicated by the presence of the newly created Gouvães reservoir adjacent to the quarry. All onsite structures and equipment, including a reinforced concrete silo slab were removed to allow the new reservoir to be fully tested by opening the giant cofferdam that surrounded the facility. Later, Tagregardos took down the cofferdam entirely, removing aroung 48,000 cu m of soil and rock, and completing the works two days ahead of schedule.