M | Building for Sustainability

Benefits: Material Reuse

Reduces need for new material production, preserving natural resources and biodiversity. The following sustainable strategies result in this benefit.

Adaptive reuse of existing building

Initial Cost Premium:

$-$$

Applicable to Rehab, New Construction, or Both:

Rehab

Difficulty:

Moderate

Maintenance Considerations:

N/A

Opportunities to Offset Initial Cost Premium :

Tax credits

Construction and demolition waste recycling

Initial Cost Premium:

Applicable to Rehab, New Construction, or Both:

Both

Difficulty:

Moderate

Maintenance Considerations:

Low maintenance.

Opportunities to Offset Initial Cost Premium :

Potential income source

FSC certified wood

Initial Cost Premium:

Applicable to Rehab, New Construction, or Both:

Both

Difficulty:

Easy

Maintenance Considerations:

Same as conventional.

Infill development in dense urban area

Initial Cost Premium:

0-$

Applicable to Rehab, New Construction, or Both:

Both

Difficulty:

Moderate

Maintenance Considerations:

N/A

Opportunities to Offset Initial Cost Premium :

Tax credits

Integrated design process

Initial Cost Premium:

0-$

Applicable to Rehab, New Construction, or Both:

Both

Difficulty:

Moderate

Maintenance Considerations:

Should result in a better system design and easier maintenance.

Opportunities to Offset Initial Cost Premium :

Green Communities planning grant

Occupant recycling

Initial Cost Premium:

Applicable to Rehab, New Construction, or Both:

Both

Difficulty:

Moderate

Maintenance Considerations:

Low maintenance.

Rapidly renewable materials

Initial Cost Premium:

Applicable to Rehab, New Construction, or Both:

Both

Difficulty:

Easy

Maintenance Considerations:

Varies, typically same as conventional

Recycled-content products (postconsumer or postindustrial)

Initial Cost Premium:

$-$$

Applicable to Rehab, New Construction, or Both:

Both

Difficulty:

Easy

Maintenance Considerations:

Same as conventional.

Salvaged materials

Initial Cost Premium:

0-$

Applicable to Rehab, New Construction, or Both:

Both

Difficulty:

Moderate

Maintenance Considerations:

Same as conventional.

Opportunities to Offset Initial Cost Premium :

Potential income source

Trees properly placed around buildings reduce air conditioning needs by about 30 percent and can save 20-50 percent in energy used for heating and cooling.

- City of Chicago - Conserve Chicago Together

Copyright 2011 Chicago Community Loan Fund