We can do better! Demo day…

 I recently watched a short clip celebrating Demo Day—often dubbed the favorite day, week, or even season for many in construction. It signals new beginnings: fresh contracts, new work, and exciting challenges. But for me, it’s always a bittersweet moment.

While others celebrate, I feel a growing frustration and sadness. Why? Because we, as an industry, continue to fall short when it comes to salvaging, recycling, and reusing materials. Too much is treated as disposable.

I’ve always been the one saying, “Save those 2x’s—they’re perfect for temporary support, blocking, or any number of other uses.” But more often than not, they’re tossed. Bricks, fixtures, cabinetry—so much of it ends up in the dumpster when it could be saved or repurposed. Yes, it takes time. Yes, it takes space. But a simple “free” sign, a quick call to a local restore, or a connection with a salvage yard can make a huge difference—for people and for the planet.

The numbers don’t lie. Construction sites are responsible for a staggering amount of waste—some estimates say up to 30% of all building materials go unused and are discarded. That includes wood, drywall, concrete, and plastics—most of which end up in landfills. Globally, construction and demolition projects generate hundreds of millions of tons of waste every year.

So where does all this waste come from?

• Inefficient Planning & Design: Over-ordering and miscalculations lead to surplus materials.
• Material Waste: Items are damaged, miscut, or simply unused.
• Demolition Debris: Tearing down older buildings generates large volumes of concrete, asphalt, and other debris.
• Poor Waste Management: Without clear systems, recyclable materials get trashed.
• Limited Recycling Infrastructure: A lack of access to recycling facilities only adds to the problem.

We can do better. We have to do better. Salvage what you can. Reuse what’s still good. Pass it on if you don’t need it. It’s not just about saving money or space—it’s about shifting our mindset and taking responsibility for the future of our craft and our planet.