Deconstruction: An Alternative to Demolition

As residents return to New Orleans, many face the decision of how to repair their houses. Where appropriate, Mercy Corps advocates for "deconstruction," which is done by contractors (not bulldozers) who take a home apart piece by piece to salvage reusable materials and reclaim personal belongings. Deconstructions keeps tons of solid waste from filling landfills and creates job opportunities. Mercy Corps has worked with the city and federal government to make deconstruction a federally reimbursable option for homeowners.