Aside from retaining the existing structure, what is the next most effective strategy for reducing...

Reusing building components is the best answer because reuse generally ranks higher than recycling in the waste management hierarchy. Retaining an existing structure avoids the largest amount of demolition waste and reduces the need for new materials. After that, salvaging and reusing building components such as doors, flooring, casework, fixtures, brick, or structural elements preserves embodied energy and avoids disposal. Recycling is beneficial, but it usually requires processing, transportation, and remanufacturing. Composting organics is useful for organic waste but is not the next most effective building-material strategy. Designing for disassembly is valuable for future reuse, but it does not necessarily reduce immediate project waste as directly as reusing components. LEED Materials and Resources emphasizes reducing waste at the source before recycling.