Capitol West Reuse and Recycling Case Study

The purpose of the Capitol West deconstruction project was to minimize waste and maximize reuse of materials which would otherwise go to a landfill. Madison Environmental Group was hired by The Alexander Company, Inc. to facilitiate this outcome. Three downtown commercial buildings, formerly owned by Meriter Hospital, totalling 22 floors (approximately 300,000 sq. ft), needed to come down to make way for the Capitol West mixed-use development in downtown Madison, WI. The buildings contained a large quantity of furnishings, fixtures and building materials suitable for reuse and recycling.

Results

Together with The Alexander Company, Inc., Madison Environmental Group turned potential trash into reused and recycled treasure. To date, nearly 400 people representing various nonprofits and other organizations, as well as individual buyers, have come to the site of the future Capitol West project to purchase items. Furniture, building materials, fixtures and office supplies which have been sold or donated total an estimated:

- 56+ tons of furniture, building materials
- 10+ tons of ceiling tile
- 115+ trunk, van, and truck loads combined hauled to homes and offices
- 11,100+ cubic feet of materials

Process
The first step to achieving these results was creating a detailed inventory of the three buildings’ contents. Second, a recycling and reuse plan was developed to identify the highest reuse value for the items. The last step was locating reuse opportunities.

Madison Environmental Group sold items by appointment September 30, October 7, and October 14, and through a public sale October 21. Two deconstruction days were held on October 26 and October 28, so that about 45 non profits and individuals could remove items such as doors, cabinets, ceiling tile, carpet and signage.

River Food Pantry picks up their items.

Story from the Sale
River Food Pantry helps feed those in need throughout Madison. They took away several truckloads of materials and furniture. The organization recently rented a large warehouse on Madison’s north side to serve the community’s hungry. The Alexander Company donated many items, including doors, cabinets, tables and chairs. The River Food Pantry plans to use these items to create their new space in the rented warehouse.

Next Steps
Recycling efforts will continue throughout the next phases of the Capitol West project. During demolition, fluorescents, incandescent, coolants, refrigerants, computer equipment, masonry, clean concrete, cardboard, cans, bottles, and paper will be properly handled and recycled. When construction begins on the project, materials such as concrete, metal, wood, drywall, cardboard, cans and bottles, and paper will also have the opportunity to be recycled. Through these continued efforts, many tons of materials will be reused rather than sent to a landfill.

For more information, please contact
Madison Environmental Group, Inc.
http://www.madisonenvironmental.com
(608) 280-0800

The Alexander Company, Inc.
http://www.alexandercompany.com
http://www.capitol-west.com
(608) 258-5580

Lindsay, Stone and Briggs
http://www.lsb.com
(608) 251-7070