The green building movement has advanced, not only by leaps, but by small steps. A leap happens when an organization decides to commit to getting LEED certification for its buildings; it marks a transformation in the way that the organization approaches construction projects. The introduction of the LEED rating system was an industry-wide leap, marking a consensus about what a green building should be and offering a benchmark for organizations to aim for.

But for every leap, there are many small steps, from the certification of an individual green product to a facility executive’s decision to incorporate some additional green design steps in a construction project or in daily operations. Over time, these small steps are of considerable significance, with a substantial cumulative environmental impact.

The greater Portland, Ore., area hopes it has made a leap with the introduction of BoneyardNW.com, a Web site for buying and selling still usable building materials salvaged from a renovation or demolition, things like finish and structural wood, lighting and electrical fixtures, door and window hardware, cubicles and partitions, and concrete formwork. The site was developed by Metro, a regional government body covering three counties in the Portland area. Part of Metro’s job is to encourage recycling. The Web site was developed because Metro sees construction as one of the most significant opportunities for reuse and recycling. Metro estimates that contractors could earn $10,000 to $20,000 by reselling salvaged building materials, while avoiding $5,000 in disposal costs.

If the site takes off, it could make it much easier for facility executives, at least in the Northwest, to use recycled building materials in construction projects.

It’s too early to say whether this site will hit the recycling target set by Metro. The goal is to keep 10,000 tons of usable building materials from landfills by the end of 2009. So far, Metro estimates that the total is in the hundreds of tons since the site was launched in 2007. But whether it turns out to be a leap or another small step, the site is an indication of the vitality of the green building movement.