Geneva town officials say a collaborative effort with Hobart College and Geneva ReUse Systems helped divert building materials from Eaton Hall, part of the HWS science complex, away from landfills.
Town Supervisor Mark Venuti told Finger Lakes Morning that town trucks and staff assisted with moving furniture, flooring, and other items from the building before its scheduled demolition to make way for the $59.5 million Fish Center for the Sciences.
Venuti said the town’s involvement included providing logistics support and coordinating with Geneva ReUse to maximize the amount of reusable material salvaged. He added that similar efforts are part of a broader strategy to reduce waste in the community, including food composting at the town’s transfer station and exploring larger resource recovery initiatives like Monroe County’s Echo Park. “The less we throw away, the better off we are,” Venuti said.
The salvaged materials are being stored by Geneva ReUse Systems for eventual resale at reduced prices, with future plans to expand into more extensive deconstruction, including doors, windows, and wood framing.
Venuti described the collaboration as a “big win for everybody,” highlighting how partnerships between local government, nonprofits, and educational institutions can reduce landfill waste while providing community benefits.
