The demolition of the old TrueNorth Companies building is under way in downtown Cedar Rapids on Jan. 4. (Dallas Houtz.The Gazette)

Amount diverted for TrueNorth/library  project

96.25 percent of potential landfill materials

Where it went

Glass: To City Carton Recycling and then Ripple Glass, Kansas City, Mo., which sorts and supplies material to companies that manufacture insulation and glass bottles.

Steel, aluminum and copper: To Marion Iron Co., Marion, which buys metals for sale to companies that reprocess it. Demolition contract retained 22 tons of structural “red iron” to assist in trench excavating for future projects.

Carpeting: Partially salvaged, with self-adhering carpet blocks removed and reused.

Foam board roof insulation: Salvaged by one of the contractors for future reuse.

Cement, brick, block and paving materials: Stored for crushing into small pieces that will be used as site fill in place of limestone gravel.

Plumbing: Partially salvaged by Habitat for Humanity ReStore, Cedar Rapids, for resale.

Light fixtures: Salvaged by Habitat for Humanity ReStore, Cedar Rapids, for resale

Wood and landscaping: Taken to Cedar Rapids/Linn County Solid Waste Agency for shredding into biofuels.

Doors: Salvaged by Habitat ReStore

Source: OPN Architects

By the numbers

TrueNorth demolition

Recycled: 4,500 tons

Salvaged: 31.04 tons

Landfilled: 168.56 tons

Allis-Chalmers demolition

Recycled: More than 7,380 tons of concrete, steel and other metals.

Diverted: 1,540 tons of concrete to Wendling Quarries, for future crushing and recycling

Avoided cost (both projects)

Landfill tipping fees: $32.90/ton for regular demolition material*;

$90/ton for demolition material with asbestos

*Lower rate offered for recyclable shingle materials

Source: OPN Architects, Primus Construction, Cedar Rapids/Linn County Solid Waste Agency

I highly recommend reading the entire article at Cedar Rapids projects strive to recycle, salvage materials | TheGazette.