World Demolition Awards Shortlist - Recycling & Environmental

D&Ri is pleased to announce the Recycling & Environmental category shortlist for the 2024 World Demolition Awards, which will take place on 6 and 7 November October in Stockholm, Sweden, as part of the World Demolition Summit.

Congratulations to the following companies who made the Recycling & Environmental category shortlist.

World Demolition Awards 2024 - Recycling & Environmental Shortlist

(PHOTO: Adamo)

ADAMO DEMOLITION
COUNTRY: United States
PROJECT: Former Kmart Headquarters
CLIENT: Forbes/Frankel/Troy Ventures 

Adamo Demolition successfully transformed the former Kmart Headquarters in Troy, Michigan. This $3,000,000 project, covering 131,900 square yards (110,300 sq m), presented the contractor’s team unique challenges, among which was the site’s proximity to Metro Detroit’s largest shopping center and the building’s intricate design with elevated corridors.

Through meticulous planning and cutting-edge techniques, Adamo ensured a seamless and safe demolition process, minimising disruption to the surrounding community.

A highlight of the project was its recycling rate of over 97%. By partnering with a local crushing company, Adamo transformed concrete debris into reusable aggregates, reducing the need for new raw materials and conserving natural resources. The company’s sorting and magging processes diverted 48,977 t of hard-fill from landfills, repurposing it for roadway material within the landfill itself.

Key to the project’s success was the use of advanced equipment, particularly the versatile Volvo 380 for precise material sorting. This enabled Adamo to efficiently manage and recycle a vast array of materials.

Additionally, innovative dust and noise control measures ensured minimal environmental impact, while a meticulous approach to the handling of hazardous materials upheld the highest safety standards.

According to Adamo, this project exemplifies its dedication to sustainable practices and reflects its commitment to environmental stewardship and excellence in demolition.

(PHOTO: Colemans)

COLEMANS
COUNTRY: United Kingdom
PROJECT: Emerald Steel
CLIENT: Confidential

This project saw Colemans demolish a 90,000-sq-m portal frame building, made up of 4,000 tonnes of primary structural steel.

Colemans believed by learning from its gained experience and recognition in the industry dealing with steel reuse that the project in South Wales was the next opportunity to show both the UK and International industry leaders that ‘Emerald Steel’ reuse and re-purposing was an achievable practise.

Due to an initial hesitancy from its risk averse client, Colemans decided the most efficient way to alleviate its clients concerns was to plan and deliver an end to end proof of concept project. This proof of concept project allowed Colemans to successfully capture every stage of the ‘Emerald Steel’ process, giving reassurance and confidence to its client in the form of video, pictorial and in-person witnessing of key stages.

The successful proof of concept project convinced the client to progress the Emerald Steel initiative in South Wales resulting in the dismantling and reuse of 4,000 t of steel, of which 600 t was incorporated into the design of a new-build structure on site. So far the Emerald steel initiative has saved 6,774 t of carbon.

Colemans says this project has positioned it as a world leading, carbon reducing market company in the green, sustainable engineered deconstruction and demolition contracting.

(PHOTO: Grupo Mitre)

GRUPO MITRE
COUNTRY: Argentina
PROJECT: Dorrego
CLIENT: Gobierno de la Ciudad de Buenos Aires

The dismantling and demolition project in Dorrego, led by Grupo Mitre, covered a 10,000 sq m site with six sheds, each occupying 8,500 sq m. The demolition was primarily necessary due to the revaluation of the land for new real estate projects.

Grupo Mitre stood out in the operation with a highly trained team, utilizing oxy-fuel cutting techniques and manually assisted mechanical dismantling methods.

The execution began with the manual removal of the perimeter fence and the construction of temporary and permanent enclosures. The dismantling was carried out sequentially and in a controlled manner, using articulated platforms and a 13,000-kg (13-t) crane to remove the high parts of the structures.

The project prioritized the recovery and recycling of materials, reusing the metal sheets to build a new perimeter fence and selling the excess to Galeria. The column bases and debris were processed at Grupo Mitre’s recycling plant in Hurlingham, turning them into eco-aggregates for new construction projects. The interlocking floor blocks were reused in Grupo Mitre’s new operations complex, which is being constructed entirely with recycled materials.

This approach demonstrated a strong commitment to sustainability and waste minimization, achieving a 99% recycling rate. The ability of Mitre’s team to handle specialized tools and execute complex tasks safely and efficiently highlighted their professionalism and high technical level. The project in Dorrego is an example of triple impact, integrating sustainability, efficiency, and social responsibility.

(PHOTO: JMX Contracting)

JMX CONTRACTING
COUNTRY: Canada
PROJECT: 6900 Maritz Dr., Mississauga, Ontario
CLIENT: Torque Builders Inc

The eco-friendly demolition of 6900 Maritz Drive in Mississauga involved meticulous planning, teamwork, and a commitment to doing things right.

The project comprised the demolition of a two-storey, 100,000 sq ft (9,300-sq-m) building on a 228,000-sq-ft (21,200-sq-m) site.

Describing the project as more than just a teardown, JMX took apart the structure piece by piece, achieving a 93% recycling rate and maintaining a spotless safety record.

The works involved salvaging and selling valuable mechanical and electrical equipment, and donating reusable interior finishes. This approach not only kept tonnes of materials out of landfills but also supported local organisations and reduced waste.

Safety was top priority, with detailed plans, daily briefings, and emergency procedures ensuring everyone stayed safe. The use of advanced equipment, like a high-reach excavator with hydraulic shears, made the job efficient and precise.

Concrete and asphalt were recycled to minimise the need for new materials and reduce environmental impact. The project even included careful site restoration with native soil and strict erosion control measures, protecting the neighboring greenbelt and educational institution.

(PHOTO: Tagregardos)

TAGREGADOS
COUNTRY: Portugal
PROJECT: Gouvães Quarry
CLIENT: Domingos da Silva Teixeira, for Iberdrola Generación 

The Gouvães quarry was developed to produce high quality aggregates for the Tâmega hydro-electric complex.

Domingos da Silva Teixeira, S.A. (dst), in 2016, was selected by Iberdrola Generación, to design, built, explore, and restore Gouvães Quarry.

At the last stage, a demanding deconstruction procedure was undertaken to apply the approved environmental restoration plan. Tagregados, as a specialised company for demolitions and earth moving works, was selected to undertake some of the most delicate tasks.

The complexity of the tasks and the interference with Gouvães reservoir, that besides being a gigabattery, also provides water for the municipality, forced to decompose it in two distinct moments.

The first stage intended to remove absolutely everything - including a reinforced concrete silo slab that was demolished in just a few weeks - to allow the reservoir to be fully tested. All of this was accomplished by the 10th of March, when the giant cofferdam surrounding the facility was opened

The second stage, which was began in July of 2023, saw the removal of the cofferdam. The work started with three loading points in the inner part of the cofferdam. In parallel, on the outer side of the cofferdam, two teams with support equipment removed the two layers of geotextile and the HDPE film in between.

The earthmoving work continued at high rhythm with four loading points. The works were completed two days ahead of schedule and saw the removal of 48,000 cu m of soil and rock.