LiveSmart BC Community Hero
LiveSmart BC Community Hero: DEMXX Deconstruction
In an age of ever-increasing environmental awareness, one Oceanside company is doing more than its share when it comes to one of the three well known Rs.
"There’s reduce , re-use and recycle and we’re the re-use part," said owner of DEMXX Deconstruction Brian Lea. "Our business keeps thousands of tonnes of building materials out of the landfill."
The employee-owned demolition and salvage company in Coombs has been busily collecting lumber, windows, fixtures and more that are then put on display at its 1699 Alberni Highway location for sale or trade.
"We’re the biggest operation doing this on the Island for sure," said Lea.
DEMXX provides recycling too, with the ability to handle those hard-to-dispose-of items like common metal appliances and aluminum windows.
"We’re seeing an increasing environmental awareness in many of our customers," noted Lea.
DEMXX is a member of the Coastal Waste Management Association that fosters environmental leadership and best practices by providing a forum for discussion, education and networking. Lea said the company is recognized by The Regional District of Nanaimo for its leadership in diverting construction waste from landfills.
Each year in November the company judges a contest for clients who use DEMXX materials in a project, with one wall of the business lined with photos of garden sheds, sunroofs and greenhouses made almost entirely from salvaged materials.
New materials are also available and the company purchases materials from other demolition contractors who do not have the ability to retail.
"It’s huge," said Lea of the amount of materials able to find a second life thanks to DEMXX’s unique business model. "We see B train after B train of lumber that would otherwise be going into the garbage."
For advice or information on how DEMXX can help you model environmental stewardship in a construction or home reno project call 250-954-0296 or email info@demexx.com.
