ABOUT THE REUSE PEOPLE

How We Got Started

TRP got its start in April 1993, with a building-materials drive to aid flood victims in Tijuana, Mexico. The flood relief drive, known as Project Valle Verde, was planned and coordinated with the mayors of Tijuana and San Diego, the San Diego Chamber of Commerce, the County Board of Supervisors, San Diego Gas and Electric Company, Waste Management, and the Building Industry Association.

On April 23 and 24, contractors, other private companies, public agencies, and the citizens of San Diego donated over 400 tons of building materials valued at $1.2 million. Twenty-seven tractor trailers carrying this material crossed the border in an unprecedented demonstration of bi-national cooperation and assistance.

The success of Project Valle Verde demonstrated the need for used building materials and the potential impact of this need on overused and overcommitted landfills.

The ReUse People started as Building Materials Distributors in San Diego in 1993 and, due to a name conflict with an existing corporation, the name was soon changed to The ReUse People.

Our Management Team

How We've Helped

Houses Deconstructed for Reusable Materials

Materials 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.

Tons of Waste Diverted From Landfills

TRP 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.

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.

View Partial List of Clients