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Friendly 
KMS GRAD ERIN MAKOWSKY ‘02
Erin Makowsky ’02 is currently a senior at UVM and working on a project to deconstruct, recycle, and remove old and abandoned mobile homes throughout the state. From an idea hatched in a term paper, Makowsky and a partner have done research on the financial and environmental issues of old abandoned mobile homes. They then partnered with the town of Alburg that has decided to pursue the removal of homes that were both taking up space and hurting the real estate values of the town. What started out as a term paper became an on site demonstration. Since then Erin has overseen the deconstruction of 5 homes, with more on the docket. Through thorough deconstruction, the crews are able to recycle about a third of the total building, bringing the cost to dispose of the homes down significantly. Typically the cost to remove a mobile home and deposit it in a landfill comes to around $2,000. Through working with local contractors and concerned citizens Erin’s group was able to reduce the cost of removal to about $200 for the owners. With an estimated 15,000 abandoned mobile homes throughout the state, there is plenty more work to be done.
“To be able to transform a classroom project into a living, workable, statewide model of successful mobile home deconstruction is a great experience” Makowsky says. “It’s exciting to be able to see the work we put into the project relayed into something positive with transferable results.”
Erin is a Natural Resource major with a strong focus in the Department of Community and International Development as a minor. Looking to the future she and her project partner are applying for grants to keep their project running as either a non-profit or a consulting agency. She is also looking at positions within Americorps relating to community economic development, housing sectors, or land trusts. Erin still skis all the time and is hoping to stay in Vermont.
To read more about to project visit the UVM website:
http://www.uvm.edu/news/?page=News&storyID=6751
“To be able to transform a classroom project into a living, workable, statewide model of successful mobile home deconstruction is a great experience” Makowsky says. “It’s exciting to be able to see the work we put into the project relayed into something positive with transferable results.”
Erin is a Natural Resource major with a strong focus in the Department of Community and International Development as a minor. Looking to the future she and her project partner are applying for grants to keep their project running as either a non-profit or a consulting agency. She is also looking at positions within Americorps relating to community economic development, housing sectors, or land trusts. Erin still skis all the time and is hoping to stay in Vermont.
To read more about to project visit the UVM website:
http://www.uvm.edu/news/?page=News&storyID=6751
- Submitted: Tuesday, December 13th by Brian Swartz
