The ReUse People

The ReUse People of America reduces the solid waste stream and changes the way the built environment is renewed by salvaging building materials and distributing them for reuse. - Learn More …

Growing Pains... Mostly in My Back!

Submitted by Ted Reiff on Sat, 02/07/2009 - 11:34

Opening Chicago's ReBuilding Exchange

In 2007, TRP responded to encouragement from both contractors and homeowners by opening a branch office in Illinois to recruit, qualify and train for-profit deconstruction contractors in the greater Chicago area. That office has been so successful, thanks the efforts of Regional Manager Ken Ortiz, that we've needed to open a retail warehouse one year earlier than anticipated.

Chicago Partner Warehouse Grand Opening

The ReUse People, Partner Warehouse in ChicagoThis week we are moving the inventories from at least ten projects into this new warehouse. The grand opening will be on Friday, February 13 at 3335 W. 47th Street, Chicago. The materials included in these inventories are: appliances, kitchen cabinets and bath vanities, doors, lighting, lumber, plumbing fixtures, windows, and much, much more.  The highlight of the evening (6 - 10 P.M.) will be food, drinks, live music AND both a live and silent auction.

Lessons in Creativity

Submitted by Shannon Barnes on Wed, 01/14/2009 - 11:08

When I first started working with TRP, I thought I was pretty green. I recycled, I conserved energy, I conserved water. At the time, I usually shopped at Home Depot or Target. On the few occasions I ventured into antique stores, I found furniture I liked, but between the higher price tags and uncertainty as to how to incorporate the pieces into my home, there just wasn’t enough interest to make me buy anything. 

After opening the Pacoima warehouse, I met a very interesting woman, Patty Knapp, who is VERY green, and VERY talented at finding new ways to use old things.

Opportunities -- Real and Imagined

Submitted by Ted Reiff on Wed, 01/07/2009 - 22:33

 
For me, looking back, as I did in last month's issue, is not as much fun as looking forward, an exercise that brings out my natural optimism. However, performing an autopsy on past decisions can lead to corrective action, a stronger operating foundation and a more sustainable future. In the process of reviewing 2008, I have identified several areas where my decisions were somewhat deficient. The one I'm going to discuss here is SPENDING TIME ON QUESTIONABLE OPPORTUNITIES.

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The ReUse People in Action.

Since 1993, architects, contractors and building owners have relied on TRP to keep reusable and recyclable building materials out of overburdened landfills. By de-constructing (instead of demolishing) a building, TRP is able to salvage up to 80 percent of the materials and channel them back into the marketplace through donations and sales at its network of retail outlets. These services are among the first steps in the green building process. Furthermore, tax-deductible donations of reusable materials to TRP, a nonprofit 501(c)3 corporation, provide a faster payback and better return-on-investment than any other product or service offered by the green building industry.

In addition to deconstruction and building-materials salvage and sales, TRP offers deconstruction training programs and "best practices" consulting through The ReUse Institute. Together, these products and services combine exemplary environmental practices with sound economic policies, to the benefit of communities and individuals everywhere.