Going Circular
2022 AWARD FINALIST
Sponsored by Auckland Council
The construction and demolition industry contributes roughly 40% of waste to Aotearoa New Zealand landfills. The sector is the single largest contributor to landfill. Levela Deconstruction is a residential and commercial demolition company with a strong focus on salvage and sustainability - also known as “un-builders”.
Levela Deconstruction dismantles houses by hand to maximise the salvageable materials. The company aims to reuse, repurpose or recycle at least 80% of materials from each of its construction sites.
Native studs, joists, weatherboards and flooring are all repurposed into tongue and groove flooring. Pine is donated to Pasifika community groups and transported back to the Islands. Joinery is either sold or donated to local community groups. Gib board and 'B' grade timber are mulched. Depending on the quality, roofing iron is either reused or recycled. The remaining hardfill products onsite are then recycled, however this is not included in the 80% goal.
Although the target is 80%, Lavela Deconstruction is currently sitting at a 93% diversion rate since the start of operation in April 2021. This is equivalent to 400 tonnes of construction waste that would have otherwise ended up in landfill.
Lavela Deconstruction also donates 5% of its profits to Trees that Count, regenerating native bush in the regions in which the company operates.