139. Creating Circularity in Construction with Marianna Sparks of Property Pro's - a podcast by Mary Kingsley, Emma Kingsley

Our guest today is Marianna Sparks, founder of Property Pro's, a property stewardship company with a mission to foster sustainability in the building industry. Marianna speaks to us today about the difference between demolition and deconstruction. We explore the staggering amounts of waste created by construction demolition every day, and how careful deconstruction offers a sustainable alternative to reuse megatons of building materials.
Driven by a desire to facilitate positive change, Marianna is constantly expanding her knowledge of environmental initiatives such as Circularity and Climate Justice. She leverages this knowledge to implement strategies for greater impact in creating more sustainability in a highly wasteful sector of our economy. Her role at Property Pro’s is multi-faceted with valuation, innovation, collaboration, research, participation in trade organizations, problem solving, content and report creation, education, and customer relations at the forefront.Topics Discussed 


Zigbone Farm Retreat, Sabillasville, MDSecond Chance in Baltimore


Community Forklift in DCAn overview of the reuse industry


Property Pros is an appraisal company that appraises architectural reuse materialsAn average 2,000 square foot house will create about 20 tons of materials that will end up in the landfill


Demolition vs deconstructionProperty Pros also does consulting to help people learn about the possibilities for these materials

Since deconstruction and material reuse is not part of the usual process, it can be difficult to find contractors that are open to the possibilitiesHow the value of materials might help offset the costs of deconstruction

Why isn’t the reuse industry more mainstream? Some cities are implementing incentives such as expedited permitting and increasing landfill fees to encourage homeowners to explore the possibilities of deconstruction’


Build Reuse–an organization that advocates for the reuse industryMarianna’s background, how she was raised with the idea of reuse and was inspired while living abroad in the military

New ideas and innovations in the reuse industryThe typical Property Pros client and how the process works


Lifecycle Building Center in AtlantaCelebrities often donate their materials

Reclaimed lumber can often have a lot of valueReusing concrete

One problem in the industry is availability of materials when people need them/flexibility is necessaryReuse is the ultimate in sustainability


Connect with Marianna:Website: gotopropertypros and www.artisangardencompany.com

Instagram: @artisangardenco and @gotopropertyprosThis Episode is Sponsored by Pinetree Garden Seeds!

Order their seeds today from superseeds.com and use our promo code: GOODDIRT15 for 15% off your entire order!About Lady Farmer:

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Email us at thegooddirtpodcast@gmail.comOriginal music by John Kingsley. Our technical partner for this series is CitizenRacecar, Post-Production by Alex Brouwer and José Miguel Baez, Coordinated by Gabriela Montequin and Mary Ball. The Good Dirt is a part of the Connectd Podcasts Network.
Statements in this podcast have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration and are not to be considered medical or nutritional advice. This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease, and should not be considered above the advice of your physician. Consult a medical professional when making dietary or lifestyle decisions that could affect your health and well-being.

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