In 2021, the Nantucket Preservation Trust (NPT) engaged with Remain to explore the establishment of an architectural salvage yard, aiming to repurpose valuable building materials and find a more sustainable alternative to current waste disposal practices. 

Construction and demolition (C&D) debris pose significant environmental challenges, exacerbating landfill overflow globally, with estimates projecting a doubling of waste volume by 2050. Nantucket alone dispatches over 17,000 tons of waste annually to off-island landfills due to rising demands in construction and renovation, a great departure from its historic culture of reusing materials dating back to the 18th and 19th centuries.

While individual initiatives champion reuse, there’s a need to formalize comprehensive strategies for reuse. These materials, rich in history and quality, hold potential for various applications, from construction to artisanal crafts. 

The practice of salvage and reuse of materials in the building sector has the potential to not only mitigate greenhouse gas emissions but also assist affordable housing endeavors. While recognizing this vision presents challenges, including securing storage, changing fast-moving industry practices and establishing incentives for deconstruction, efforts are ongoing. The project began in 2022 through research conducted by EBP, revealing substantial salvage potential and offering insights into economic value, carbon footprint and successful frameworks.

In 2023, NPT organized public events featuring experts from San Antonio, Texas and Savannah, Georgia, alongside local stakeholders, to delve into deconstruction strategies and circular economy models. More recently, Remain and NPT broadened their collaboration to include Nantucket’s Department of Public Works and Housing Nantucket. The cohort has attended conferences like Build Reuse’s Deconstruction + Reuse Conference 2024 in Savannah, aiming to glean insights from successful leaders and initiatives in other communities.