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: Matt Larkin
View All Spotlight VideosLatest TRP News
Tenant Improvements: From Installation to Removal
Apr 15, 2026
Tenant improvements can make or break a commercial lease, a remodel budget, and even a property’s long-term value. Whether a space is being built out for a new tenant or stripped down after move-out, smart planning matters. From the first wall installation to the final teardown, a thoughtful approach can reduce waste, protect salvageable materials, […]
Read More >Building an ADU: Costs, Zoning Questions, and Design Ideas
Apr 08, 2026
Interest in building an ADU, or accessory dwelling unit, keeps rising because homeowners want more flexibility from the homes they already own. An ADU is a smaller, independent living space on the same lot as a single-family home, with room for living, sleeping, cooking, and bathing. An ADU can create space for aging parents, adult […]
Read More >Students Prepare to Revolutionize Reuse
Mar 23, 2026
Since the early 1990s, the modern deconstruction and building-materials reuse industry has consisted mostly of small family businesses and nonprofit organizations. Recently that industry has been hit by two conflicting waves. In the first wave, multiple retail reuse stores, from the west coast to the east, and from Canada to Florida, shut down, primarily due […]
Read More >