The ReUse People of America
We reduce the solid waste stream and change the way the built environment is renewed by salvaging building materials and distributing them for reuse.The ReUse People is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization.
Deconstruction Workshop
April 17, 2026 | 9am - 4pm
About Us
Since 1993
Since 1993, architects, contractors, building owners and federal, state, and local governments have relied on TRP to keep reusable and recyclable building materials out of overburdened landfills. When a building is de-constructed (rather than demolished), up to 80 percent of the materials can be salvaged and channeled back into the marketplace through donations and sales at TRP’s network of retail outlets.
4,000 +
Houses Deconstructed for Reusable MaterialsMaterials from over 4,000 houses and other buildings have been acquired and distributed by TRP to salvage reusable materials. This has prevented vast amounts of building materials from ending up in landfills.
400,000+
Tons of Waste Diverted From LandfillsTRP has diverted over 400,000 tons of reusable materials from landfills, helping to reduce our footprint on the planet as well as provide repurposed materials for construction.
500 +
Workers and Contractors Trained
TRP has trained and certified over 500 unemployed, underemployed, and disadvantaged workers, as well as over 70 contractors who in turn create needed construction jobs.
How to Design & Implement a Deconstruction Ordinance
TRP is excited to offer you a comprehensive guide for designing and implementing a deconstruction.
What you'll learn:
- Developing and implementing ordinances
- Contractor qualification and training
- Materials handling and distribution
- Verification and measurement systems
- Tax-deductible donation management
Our Services
What We DoTRP offers the following green services and products:
- Building materials donation and deconstruction options
- Building materials collection
- Building materials distribution
- Great deals on reclaimed building materials and lumber
- Project management
- Training
- Consulting services
- Reuse and recycling plans
Many contractors offer this environmentally friendly option over demolition, with benefits to the building owner, the community, and local landfills.
TRP sells quality building materials, including lumber, cabinets, toilets, sinks, doors, windows, appliances and more at great prices while helping the environment.
TRP offers training programs designed to meet the needs of those interested in preserving resources and diverting reusable materials from the solid waste stream.The Reuse People Spotlight
Featured SpotlightsThe ReUse People Spotlight: Kristine Scully
View All Spotlight VideosLatest TRP News
Embodied Carbon vs. Operational Carbon: A Simple Guide for Property Owners
May 13, 2026
If you own, manage, renovate, or plan to sell property, you’ve probably heard more talk lately about building emissions, energy efficiency, and low-carbon construction. When discussing a building’s carbon footprint, it’s important to know that emissions come from two different places: embodied carbon and operational carbon. Understanding the distinction between the two can help property […]
Read More >How to Use Reclaimed Wood Safely in Home Renovation Projects
May 06, 2026
Reclaimed wood can bring warmth, character, and history into a home in a way that new lumber often can’t. But before you turn an old beam, floorboard, or door into a design feature, it’s worth slowing down and thinking about safety. Using reclaimed wood in home renovation projects can come with risks if you don’t […]
Read More >Historic Preservation and Adaptive Reuse
Apr 29, 2026
America's built environment tells a story. Walk through any city — Detroit, Denver, New Orleans, or Newark — and you'll find structures that have outlived their original purpose but not their value. Old warehouses that once stored freight now house artisan coffee roasters and tech startups. Defunct shopping venues become community marketplaces. A former textile […]
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