Kent County Department of Public Works, Building Materials Reuse Association and West Michigan Sustainable Business Forum are hosting a free educational workshop for municipalities, businesses and other institutional stakeholders to learn about potential community and economic benefits from improved building deconstruction and demolition processes.
Held in collaboration with the BMRA 2018 National Conference, the meeting will detail how deconstruction and building material reuse promotes less waste to disposal, creates new employment opportunities, benefits the environment and reduces neighborhood health threats from lead, asbestos and hazardous materials. The workshop will be taught by national experts participating in the conference, and participants are invited to network with conference attendees at the opening reception immediately after.
Find further information on waste management best practices and the Kent County Department of Public Work’s vision to help reduce landfilled waste 20% by 2020 and 90% by 2030 here.
Wednesday, September 19
12:30 pm to 3 pm
Grand Valley State University
Eberhard Center
301 Fulton W, Grand Rapids, MI 49504
Free to attend
Agenda
12:30 Introduction to the Scope and Goals of the Workshop/Conference: Kristen Wieland, Kent County Department of Public Works
12:45 How DeCon and Reuse fits into regional Zero Waste Goals & Plans: Darwin Baas, Kent County Department of Public Works
1:00 What are other Municipalities Doing to Foster Deconstruction & Reuse? Participants: Caroline Lund, MS, CHMM Saint Paul – Ramsey County Public Health/Environmental Health; Eve Pytel, Delta Institute, Chicago, IL; Rex LaMore, MSU Center for Community and Economic Development.
2:00 How are DeCon/ReUse Businesses Achieving Success: Dave Bennink, ReUse Consulting
2:45 All Speaker Q&A Session
3:00 Adjourn to Reception