"The recent building boom - one of the biggest in history - used enormous quantities of resources and generated millions of tons of garbage through the demolition of older structures. This episode surveys some fresh ideas for eco-conscious construction and de-construction. In Buffalo, NY, we'll watch 33-year-old Michael Gainer and his team from Buffalo Re-Use as they meticulously dismantle two abandoned houses slated for demolition, salvaging valuable materials to be used in new construction. Maverick architect Michael McDonough takes us on a tour of his family house, E-House, a showcase of green living that boasts numerous experimental, high-tech and low-tech innovations. And recycling reaches a new level with architect Peter DeMaria, who is transforming hulking metal shipping containers into elegant modernist homes."

[image: Big Ideas for a Small Planet]