Two-Day Deconstruction Training Now Available

The ReUse Institute -- the training and consulting arm of TRP -- is offering the first in a series of deconstruction trainings on October 22-23 in Los Angeles. The class is limited to 20 participants, so register now and reserve your place.

The entire deconstruction process, from project review and bidding, to the shipment of salvaged materials, will be covered. If you are a contractor interested in diversifying, a homeowner wanting to remodel, a used building-materials retailer looking for more and better materials, or simply an interested preservationist, this course is for you.

Day one of the training will feature classroom presentations and discussions on:

• Safety
• Tools
• Equipment
• Layout of a jobsite
• Sequence of work
• Layered materials
• Debris handling
• Maintaining salvage values
• Materials handling
• Bidding projects 

On day two, participants will visit a jobsite to see and discuss salvageable materials and practice bidding procedures.

Participants will receive a full-color notebook with descriptions and explanations of the deconstruction process, a hardbound book on deconstruction published by Taunton Press, a certificate of completion, box lunches on both days and transportation between the classroom and jobsite. In addition, TRI will host dinner on 10/22, so that participants can talk shop and get to know one another in a relaxed atmosphere.

The trainer will be TRP President Ted Reiff, "the man with the velvet crowbar," with able support provided by TRP Southern California Regional Managers Arthur Renaud and Cheryl Sharp. We'll announce the training site by October 7 and a list of local hotels will be provided at that time.

Cost is $325.00 per person. To register, simply access and complete the TRI registration form at: Deconstruction_Training_Registration.pdf

Register now--space is limited. And, by the way, bring your calculator!

2009 ReUse Contest

Want a $25 gift certificate? How about a $200 certificate? The first is a slam dunk. You get one just by entering our 2009 ReUse Contest. The $200 prize? Well, someone will win this top honor for the best reuse example submitted--it might as well be you. Second and third place finishers will receive $100 and $50 certificates respectively. Click here for more information on contest rules and to see the entries from last year. http://thereusepeople.org/ReUse_Contest.

The winning entry will be displayed at West Coast Green, October 1-3, 2009, and contestants will receive free passes to the exhibits at that great conference.

All entries must be submitted via email to TedReiff@TheReUsePeople.org by September 1, 2009.

Every Monday

In 2008, TRP initiated "Every Monday," a program that enables nonprofit organizations and schools to obtain used materials at discounts ranging from 25 to 90 percent, and in some cases FREE, by shopping at the TRP Oakland and Los Angeles (Pacoima) retail-warehouses on Mondays only.

Since the start of this program, dozens of East Bay organizations have saved thousands of dollars on purchases and received, on average, over $200 worth of excellent used materials absolutely free.

How it works: Bring a copy of your IRS exemption letter or, in the case of schools, a note on school or district letterhead, and TRP will automatically register you to participate in these Every Monday deals.

Kudos for Connecticut Managers and Board Members

Charles Paonessa and Mike Yurish, TRP Connecticut Regional Managers, have staged an impressive kickoff for their new region. In the first three weeks, they bid four deconstruction projects and identified three retail-warehouse partners -- the ReCONNstruction Center in New Britain, and the Habitat for Humanity ReStores in Stratford and New London.

The kickoff began with a presentation in New Haven, organized by Sherrill Baldwin of the Connecticut EPA. Over 50 people attended, including contractors, architects and government officials. This was followed by meetings with solid waste and sustainability managers in several cities, architects, custom-home builders, retail stores and nonprofit organizations. Charles and Mike made some great connections and generated several training opportunities involving local organizations. Two of these, the City of New Haven and Youth Build in Hartford, are being vigorously pursued.

Thank you, TRP Directors Shay Atluru and Kirk Hoeffler of dtc Engineers and Constructors, for laying the groundwork on our behalf.

If you are in Connecticut and need deconstruction services or building-materials salvage and would like to receive a tax deduction for your donations, contact:

Mike Yurish at 203.496.6405, or 
Charlie Paonessa at 203.496.6467