Structure to be World's Biggest Built with Recycled Industrial Materials

(Washington, D.C. - Sept. 26, 2006) A major commercial development in Syracuse, N.Y., will be the world's biggest sustainable structure to be built with recycled industrial materials, incorporate energy efficient features, and reduce vehicle emissions. The developers of Destiny USA, a multi-use project, signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the E.P.A., promising to use a variety of environmentally sustainable practices.

"Destiny USA's pledge is the 1st of what we hope will be many similar commitments to use recycled industrial materials and promote other environmentally sustainable practices in major construction projects," said Susan Bodine, assistant administrator of the Office of Solid Waste and Emergency Response. "Increasing the use of recycled materials preserves our natural resources, protects the environment, conserves energy and saves money."

As part of its arrangement with EPA, Destiny U.S.A. has agreed to:

• Employ green building techniques
• Become a partner in EPA's Resource Conservation Challenge, WaterSense, and Energy Star programs
• Use in excess of 3,000 tons of coal ash in concrete, reducing greenhouse gases by in excess of 3,000 tons
• Retrofit in excess of 100 construction trucks to reduce emissions by 85 percent
• Incorporate hybrid and diesel vehicles in to its fleet
• Promote EPA's SmartWay Transport Partnership to its carriers, shippers, and tenants to reduce truck emissions
• Implement a commuter benefits plan

E.P.A. is asking developers nationwide to expand their use of recycled industrial materials including coal combustion products, foundry sand and construction and demolition debris. Instead of disposing of these materials, they can be used to make products like concrete, wallboard, steel beams and asphalt. Each year, U.S. businesses generate in excess of half a billion tons of industrial waste, which, in some cases, can be recycled and used as valuable resources.

Information on EPA's Industrial Materials Recycling plan is accessible at: epa.gov/epaoswer/osw/conserve/priorities/bene-use.htm

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