Deconstruction

In partnership with the Preservation Resource Center, National Trust, City of New Orleans, Mercy Corps and FEMA, RTNO utilizes a ground-breaking program that is helping to save, recycle and reuse materials from hundreds of blighted homes and buildings left in the aftermath of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita.

By deconstructing buildings slated for demolition and identifying reusable materials such as doors, windows, bricks, lumber and historic architectural elements, RTNO’s salvage and deconstruction teams are able to not only preserve valuable supplies and save landfill space, but also (through the sale of salvaged materials) create a sustainable revenue stream that helps to supplement warehouse costs.

Reclaimed materials are brought to the PRC Warehouse and Salvage Store and either stored for RTNO’s construction use or made available to the public for purchase in the Salvage Store. Salvaged materials cost less than new materials and similar historic architectural pieces and are available to Orleans parish residents at affordable prices.

Benefits to Deconstruction

+ Architectural preservation
+ Reuse of pre-existing materials
+ Job creation
+ Tax benefits
+ Cost savings
+ Reduce amount of construction and demolition waste sent to landfills.