SalvoNEWS

Reports of a Viking invasion

2010-01-06T15:12:00.006Z

Viking Reclamation, South Yorkshire UK
Local South Yorkshire newspaper 'The Star' reports on a Viking invasion in the form of Viking Reclamation. Reporter Rachael Clegg comments on how owner Craig Lloyd's stocklist sounds like a museum catalogue, calling it a 'Wizard of OZ version of B&Q'.
She takes a tour through their vast yard and acknowledges the wonder of architectural remnants, interiors fittings and building materials, like props from a period drama. Mr Lloyd enlightens the tour by providing the history and story behind many of the pieces including the gates from the old Doncaster Fruit Market which he has recently sold to a man in Lincoln "who’s had a wall built especially at the back of his house so he can put them in,” said Mr Lloyd.

“Sometimes you buy things and they can sit there for two or three years, then, all of a sudden, the right person comes along and they’ll buy it. We do get some oddballs coming in here but I tend to get on with them!” said Mr Lloyd.

Site

The pro's of predemolition audits

2010-01-06T11:51:00.002Z

The BRE have recently been commissioned to carry out a predemolition audit for Wellingborough Swimming Pool. The audit enables the local council to set demolition tender targets, implement a site waste management plan and maximise resource efficiency. ‘Using the information from the predemolition audit, we were able to exceed our targets for recycling site waste,' said Chris Pittman, Head of Policy, Partnerships and Property at the Borough Council of Wellingborough, ‘and achieve the high levels of resource efficiency we were looking for.'

The audit estimated the quantities of the different materials encased in the building and identified those materials that could be diverted for reuse and recycling. The waste hierarchy typically has four elements: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle and as a last resort disposal.

The BRE audit identified the types of materials that would be generated by demolishing the swimming pool site - such as concrete, inert materials, metals and general waste - and calculated the quantities of each. The audit found that at least 95% of the overall weight of the materials was suitable for recycling, and that several fixtures and fittings, such as the security fencing, could be reused. The audit encouraged demolition contractors to use salvoWEB and SalvoMIE as a market place for the materials and the directory for a list of salvage yards who maybe interested in the reusable items.

BRE

Chinese leaning tower of Liuzhou

2010-01-06T11:40:00.004Z

Liuzhou, Southern China

Above: a photographer captures the demolition in Southern China which did not go quite to plan as half of the building remains leaning.

Above: Shoppers in Liuzhou carry on, unperturbed by the dangerously leaning building

Follow the link below for a video of the disastrous demolition;

Mail Online

Calling all designers and creatives

2010-01-06T11:29:00.002Z

Liberty, Great Marlborough Street London UK
Liberty's are hoping to find the best of young British designers as they call for 'all potential designers and creative talents to come forward with their ideas.' A panel of experts including ex-Bergdorf Goodman Senior VP Ed Burstell and top names from the press, fashion retail and buyers will access the products and the best designs will get the chance to have their products sold at Liberty.

To download the design open call registration form please use the link below;

Liberty

Old Master sculpture and works of art at Sotheby's

2010-01-06T11:01:00.007Z

Sotheby's, New Bond Street London
Sotheby's sale of old Master sculpture and works of art on 8 December 2010, sale total £2,484,775.

Above: Set of four sandstone grotesques, thirteenth century or early fourteenth century. Estimated at £10,000-£15,000 and sold for £16,250 including buyers premium.

Above: A fourteenth or fifteenth century limestone French winged goat measuring 30 by 33 by 91cm. Estimated at £3,000-£5,000 and sold for £17,500 including buyers premium.

Above: An Italian partly classical 2nd century ad, restored circa 1823 A charging panther Marble tesserae measuring 39 by 41cm including the border. Estimated at £15,000-£20,000 and sold for £39,650 including buyers premium.

Above: A pair of Putti from Germany in gilt and polychromed wood, each measuring 49cm. Estimated at £6,000-£8,000 and sold for £8,750 including buyers premium.

Sotheby's

Walcot Reclamation goes into voluntary administration

2010-01-05T13:05:00.004Z

Bath, UK
The recession appears to have hit Walcot Reclamation hard as they have been forced into voluntary administration. Its owners Jane and Rick Knapp said they had been fighting "a losing battle" over the past few months and had to admit defeat in their recent plans to regroup and relocate to the Bathampton site.

A notice from the couple on the business's website says that if any 'person should feel the call then there is a ready to roll business there, complete with excellent experienced staff, a wide range of good quality stock, yard, warehouses, trucks and forklifts and a business name known both nationally and internationally.' If the couple do not find anyone to take over the business they will proceed with an auction of the remaining stock at the end of January at which Mr Knapp says that there will be 'plenty of bargains' to be had. Further, Mr and Mrs Knapp thanked everyone for their support since they first started the company in 1977.

Anyone interested is asked to contact Graham Cockle at BCVA auctioneers and valuers on 0117 9533676 or email gcockle@dufa.com.

Walcot Reclamation

Sash windows are not so bad after all

2010-01-05T12:30:00.004Z

New scientific evidence is available from the English Heritage to counteract some of the misconceptions about the energy efficiency of original sash windows. Recent findings have shown that with simple repairs and basic improvements significant reductions of draughts and heat loss can easily be achieved.

Key findings have shown that Simple repairs to mend cracks and eliminate gaps can significantly reduce the amount of air infiltration or draughts by around one third. Also, adding draught proofing can reduce air infiltration by 86%. More elaborate measures reduce heat loss even more and can improve windows to meet modern Building Regulations, which target a U value for windows of 2 or below.

Dr Simon Thurley, Chief Executive of English Heritage, said: “It is very encouraging to see that more buildings are being refurbished to meet modern energy requirements, but all too often a drastic and insensitive approach has led to the degradation of our streetscapes . Many original timber sash windows have lasted more than two hundred years and are capable of lasting another century. This piece of research provides the hard evidence that shows how easy it is to upgrade them and supports our call for their retention.”

English Heritage

Stolen art watch

2009-12-23T10:19:00.002Z

Drouot, Paris France

A DROUOT auctioneer and eight commission agents were given preliminary charges, including organized theft, with three others released with no charges, in Paris police raids on Drouot, its warehouses and homes of employees. A stolen Courbet painting was found at the home of one of the commission agents. Other pieces seized in the sweep included artworks, frames and furniture.

art hostage

Salvage yard fined for asbestos cement roof sheets

2009-12-23T10:07:00.002Z

Ipswich, Suffolk UK

Following reports that Edward Thomas Webster had been storing waste illegally at his yard in Thorington, Suffolk two agency officers inspected his premises. They found pallets with materials such as cleaned bricks, roof tiles, wood and old beams, however in one field they saw a large pile of asbestos roofing sheets. Mr Webster, who trades as Preservation in Action, has pleaded guilty at Ipswich Magistrates Court to dumping chrysotile asbestos and not having the right papers for dealing with potentially fatal material.

edie

Reuse is the new recycling - government can and should create a new reuse agenda

2009-12-23T09:52:00.003Z

Sustainable construction experts have published new research showing that the amount of building material being reclaimed has declined and that reclamation is in fact becoming more difficult in the UK. Ironically the Governments own policy is known to be hindering reuse, although they claim that reclamation is high on the agenda.

'Pushing Reuse' was compiled by BioRegional and Salvo looks directly at this problem. Jonathan Essex said, "Pushing reuse clearly shows the benefits that reuse brings over recycling. For example, if we reclaimed 50% of reusable iron and steel the carbon savings would be equivalent to taking 29,000 cars off the road - and that's for just two materials. Yes, reclamation is currently more labour intensive than recycling which makes it more expensive, but it creates green jobs and products that often have a higher value than recycled - for instance reclaimed bricks are worth much more than bricks recycled into aggregate".

CRR

Monument demolition kills two in Georgia

2009-12-22T11:26:00.002Z

Kutaisi, Georgia - A mother and child have been killed by flying debris from the demolition of a 150ft high Soviet World War II memorial. The monument has been removed to make way for new Parliamentary buildings.

BBC News

2009-12-22T11:14:00.001Z

Granville County, USA - Habitat for Humanity's Restore in Granville County offer this message

Habitat for Humanity

Christmas Cards - don't bin them!

2009-12-22T11:09:00.005Z

We all know there must be loads of things you can do with Christmas cards after they have spent a few weeks making us feel christmassy and getting dusty on the shelf. Obviously the best thing is to cut them up a bit and use for next years cards, but if you are feeling a bit more creative there's a load more ideas on the web, including this star...

Squidoo - Ways to reuse a christmas card

Time for the government to listen to reuse

2009-12-21T13:51:00.002Z

Steve Tomlin discusses the outcome of his meeting at the House of Commons on his blog (see link below). Unfortunately after his meeting at Whitehall which held so much promise, sadly there was no mention in any literature, posters or speeches about Reuse and Reclamation.

Steve asks if the authorities will wake up to Reuse and Reclamation? He calls for the reclamation trade to "lobby to convince politicians that they are directed into a policy cul-de-sac that solves nothing. We need to remove subsidy to the demolishers and recyclate industry and redirect priorities away from incineration as a central plinth of our campaigns for Environmental Sustainability. There will be a case for crushing and burning, but only on the margins if we are to recover the full carbon value of scarce materials," said Steve.

Masco

Architectural salvage owner sues mayor

2009-12-15T09:36:00.003Z

Wavely, Tennesse USA

A civil lawsuit has been filed against the mayor of Waverly over a confrontation in July. “He is suing ... for a battery both in [Bostic’s] personal and official capacity in two counts of the complaint against Mr Bostic,” said Lowder’s attorney, Michael A. Hankins of Jacksonville.

Police were called to the scene following a report accusing Mr Bostic pushing Lowder during an argument that ensued after the mayor told Lowder he could not use public streets and sidewalks to dismantle boards and recondition building materials.

Journalcourier

Mini structures from repurposed throwaways

2009-12-14T14:33:00.004Z

San Francisco, USA

Golden Gate Express exhibit, a miniature steam train that rolls through a miniature San Francisco, complete with Coit Tower, TransAmerica Pyramid Building, Golden Gate Bridge and the Conservatory of Flowers. These mini structures are all made from repurposed throwaways found in a skip. The Ghirardelli clock tower is made with old chocolate brown light switch plates; 1,000 computer keys stud the TransAmerica Pyramid, and Coit Tower is made with plumbing supplies, tape measures and mini blinds.

Craft

Creative reuse

2009-12-14T14:26:00.004Z

Dutch designer Jo Meesters has a sustainable and handmade approach to his work. His new collection is made entirely out of 34 discarded wooden beams and 16 left over blankets. Entitled Odds and Ends, Bits and Pieces, the collection uses basic upholstering and weaving techniques.

apartment therapy

The cultural demolition of Kashgar, China

2009-12-14T11:16:00.005Z

Kashgar, Xinjiang province China

According to Chinese officials Kashgar must be destroyed because of its susceptibility to earthquakes. Kashgar is one of the best preserved traditional Islamic cities in central Asia. Many of the families will be offered apartments in high-rise buildings. In place of the old city, the Chinese plan to erect apartments, plazas and avenues lined with reproductions of ancient Islamic architecture, which they say will help "preserve Uighur culture." Families have been offered cash bonuses if they move out early - $30 for those who vacate within 20 days; $15 if they move in a month.

Above: Kashgar's old wall, a 35-ft. berm, meets a billboard promoting a new residential compound.

Above: Dust from demolitions engulfs the ancient city.

Time

IT dumped in developing countries

2009-12-14T10:57:00.002Z

Computer Weekly claims that IT managers are failing to properly question technology recycling firms, which they employ to dispose of their machines supposedly ethically. Consequently according to reports many thousands of crates of toxic IT waste is reportedly being dumped in developing countries.

"We are finding people saying they have a contract with a refurbishment firm, and this firm has promised it is going to do all sorts of good things," said Adrian Harding, policy advisor at the Environment Agency. "But they never check it. The problem is people are taking things on trust - you would not do that when you are buying the equipment. We want people to take as much interest in their end of life equipment as they do on the procurement side."

The Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) Directive was introduced to reduce the amount of IT waste being sent to landfill. But Tony Roberts, CEO and founder of re-use charity Computer Aid International, said, "The directive has had the positive effect of increasing awareness around IT environmental issues," he said. "But the most significant growth area has actually been the sham re-use companies. The equipment which we hoped would be diverted for re-use has largely been diverted for commercial resale - both by legitimate organisations, but also by the cowboys who pack it into trucks and send it to Africa and India."

Computer weekly

Festivities at Lassco's

2009-12-14T10:50:00.003Z

Lassco, Brunswick House London
Lassco are inviting people to join them at Brunswick House on Thursday 17th December from 8pm for mince pies, mulled wine and a festive 15 per cent discount.

Lassco

Peter Mandelson launches a low carbon group

2009-12-14T10:35:00.002Z

Peter Mandelson has has launched the government’s low carbon construction innovation and growth steering group, which will review the industry’s fitness for reducing carbon emissions.

The group is chaired by Paul Morrell, the newly appointed chief construction adviser. Mr Morrell said, "“Our aim is… to ensure a road map is in place for the industry to play their part in delivering a low carbon future.”

bd online

Sealing the fate of a generation

2009-12-11T10:24:00.002Z

Copenhagen, climate change summit

The Guardian and 56 other newspapers from around the world have joined together to call for action from the worlds leaders on climate change. A spokes person for The Guardian said, "If we, with such different national and political perspectives, can agree on what must be done then surely our leaders can too." As the Copenhagen climate change summit is underway the joint voice of the newspapers ask that the leaders do not blame each other but seize the opportunity to make a difference whether the countries are rich or poor as the outcome will inevitably seal the fate of a generation.

Rich nations like to point to the arithmetic truth that there can be no solution until developing giants such as China take more radical steps than they have so far. At the deal's heart must be a settlement between the rich world and the developing world covering how the burden of fighting climate change will be divided — and how we will share a newly precious resource. Social justice demands that the industrialised world digs deep into its pockets and pledges cash to help poorer countries adapt to climate change, and clean technologies to enable them to grow economically without growing their emissions.

Few believe that Copenhagen can any longer produce a fully polished treaty; real progress towards one could only begin with the arrival of President Obama in the White House and the reversal of years of US obstructionism. Even now the world finds itself at the mercy of American domestic politics, for the president cannot fully commit to the action required until the US Congress has done so.

The politicians in Copenhagen can and must agree the essential elements of a fair and effective deal and, crucially, a firm timetable for turning it into a treaty. In the meantime, many of us, particularly in the developed world, will have to change our lifestyles. The era of flights that cost less than the taxi ride to the airport is drawing to a close. We will have to shop, eat and travel more intelligently. We will have to pay more for our energy, and use less of it.

The Guardian

Phone box reused as libary

2009-12-10T10:34:00.003Z

Above: The traditional phone box was bought from BT for £1 [photo BBC]

Westbury-sub-Mendip, Somerset UK

A traditional red phone box has been reused as a library in the village of Westbury-sub-Mendip. The worlds smallest library regularly gives out books, dvds and cds to the local villagers.

A resident dreamed up the idea when the village lost its phone box and mobile library in quick succession. Users simply stock it with a book they have read, swapping it for one they have not. "It's really taken off. The books are constantly changing," said parish councillor Bob Dolby.

So far BT have given over 350 phone boxes to parish councils, these have been transformed into art installations, a shower and even a public toilet.

BBC

Reuse before recycling

2009-12-09T10:52:00.006Z

According to the mantra reuse should come before recycling, however, the reuse industry is often overlooked in favour of recycling. The website Treehugger asks if the Government could help to turn around the decline in the reuse of building materials.

The new report, Pushing Reuse (from BioRegional and Thornon Kay of Salvo) argues that reuse has been traditionally overlooked by policy makers, although it offers greater environmental benefits. It suggests that a reuse champion is needed to advocate reuse and potentially set up an incentive scheme for reuse which gives payment for materials diverted from landfill.

Jonathan Essex, Reclaimed Materials Manager at BioRegional said: "Pushing reuse clearly shows the benefits that reuse brings over recycling. For example, if we reclaimed 50% of reusable iron and steel the carbon savings would be equivalent to taking 29,000 cars off the road - and that's for just two materials. Yes, reclamation is currently more labour intensive than recycling which makes it more expensive, but it creates green jobs and products that often have a higher value than recycled - for instance reclaimed bricks are worth much more than bricks recycled into aggregate"

Treehugger

Walcot Reclamation moves after 32 years

2009-12-08T11:32:00.003Z

Walcot Reclamation, Bath UK

Walcot's city center site is closing after 32 years. However, the shop will be retained to allow some pieces to be displayed. Owner Rick Knapp said, "The move makes sense, with the shop acting very much as a taster of what would be on offer at the Bathampton premises. We are focusing on trying to get more people at Bathampton and making more of that rather than spreading ourselves too thin."

This is Bath