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Construction site with sorted metal, wood, and concrete recycling bins
The numbers are hard to ignore. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, construction and demolition activities generated an estimated 600 million tons of debris in the United States in 2018 alone — more than twice the volume of all municipal solid waste combined. Of that, nearly 145 million tons ended up in landfills. For commercial project owners, contractors, and developers, that waste can raise costs, undermine sustainability goals, and make compliance with green building standards more difficult.The good news is that much of this waste can be prevented with better planning.

Start With a Waste Management Plan

One of the most effective ways to reduce commercial construction waste begins before demolition or construction starts. A construction waste management plan (CWMP) helps teams identify what materials will be generated, how they will be sorted, and where they will go once removed. Projects pursuing LEED certification often require this type of plan, but it can benefit any commercial job.A strong CWMP should include: The EPA recommends source reduction as the highest priority, meaning the best waste is the waste that never gets created in the first place.

Choose Deconstruction Over Demolition

When possible, deconstruction is one of the most effective ways to reduce construction and demolition waste. Traditional demolition turns valuable materials into debris. Deconstruction carefully dismantles a structure so reusable components can be salvaged and kept in circulation.The ReUse People (TRP) has made commercial deconstruction a core part of our mission. On commercial projects, salvageable materials often include doors, cabinetry, plumbing and lighting fixtures, flooring, and framing lumber. Our process begins with a no-cost onsite survey to identify reusable materials. If the owner chooses to donate them, TRP can also help facilitate an IRS-qualified appraisal to determine the donation value, which may lead to a meaningful tax deduction.

Bring in Experts Early

Waste diversion on commercial projects can become complicated quickly. Material assessments, subcontractor coordination, tax documentation, and local diversion requirements all take time and experience to manage well. That’s why bringing in expert support early can make a significant difference.The ReUse Institute (TRI) offers consulting and project management services to help clients create reuse and recycling plans, manage deconstruction and demolition efforts, and navigate the financial and logistical challenges involved. With experience supporting municipalities, major institutions, and private clients, TRI helps project teams put waste reduction goals into action.

Focus on Materials With Strong Reuse Value

Not every material offers the same opportunity for diversion. On commercial projects, some of the best candidates for reuse or recycling include: Concrete may not be reusable in its original form, but it can often be crushed and recycled as aggregate rather than landfilled. Looking closely at material type and condition can help teams recover more value and reduce disposal costs.

Think About End-of-Life Before You Build

The most effective waste reduction strategies begin during design. More commercial developers are adopting design-for-deconstruction principles, which make future reuse and disassembly easier. That can include using mechanical fasteners instead of adhesives, avoiding difficult-to-separate composite materials, and keeping records of what materials were installed.Ready to reduce waste on your next commercial project? Explore TRP’s commercial deconstruction services or learn more about consulting and project management through The ReUse Institute.TRP reduces the solid waste stream and changes the way the built environment is renewed by salvaging building materials and distributing them for reuse. Relied on by architects, contractors, building owners, and federal, state, and local governments since 1993, we’ve deconstructed over 4,000 houses and buildings and diverted over 400,000 tons of waste from landfills. Learn more about our commercial and residential deconstruction, explore our salvaged materials for sale, or donate today to support our work!
Modern energy-efficient building with rooftop solar panels and large windows
If you have been researching green building certifications, you have probably come across the same three names repeatedly: LEED, Passive House, and ENERGY STAR. All three are associated with sustainable building and energy efficiency, but they are not the same thing. Whether you are planning a renovation, new construction, or a teardown, understanding these programs can help you make better decisions about building performance, operating costs, and environmental impact.
What Is LEED Certification?
LEED, short for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, is one of the most widely recognized green building certification systems in the world. Developed by the U.S. Green Building Council, it provides a framework for designing, constructing, and operating more sustainable buildings.Rather than focusing on one single feature, LEED looks at the building as a whole. Projects can earn points in several categories, including: Because LEED uses a points-based system, projects can pursue different certification levels depending on how many benchmarks they meet. That flexibility is part of the program’s appeal. It works for many building types while giving owners and design teams a clear set of green building standards to aim for.
What Is Passive House?
While LEED takes a broad view of sustainability, Passive House focuses more tightly on building performance. Often associated in the US with Phius standards, Passive House is a design approach intended to dramatically reduce heating and cooling demand while creating a more comfortable, healthy indoor environment. Passive House design depends on several performance-driven principles: Passive House certification emphasizes measurable performance. These buildings are designed to stay comfortable using far less energy than conventional structures, which can mean lower utility bills and greater resilience over time.
What Does ENERGY STAR Mean for Buildings?
ENERGY STAR is a program run by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and in the building world, it is best known for certifying homes and apartments that meet strict energy efficiency standards. ENERGY STAR certified homes are built to exceed typical code requirements and are independently verified, which gives buyers and owners added confidence in their performance.For many homeowners, ENERGY STAR is the most straightforward of the major green building labels because it points to practical, everyday benefits. Efficient insulation, air sealing, windows, and HVAC systems can help reduce energy use, improve indoor comfort, and create more consistent temperatures throughout the home. In that sense, ENERGY STAR is less about a broad sustainability framework and more about proven, verified energy performance.
Why Deconstruction Belongs in the Green Building Conversation
No matter which certification interests you most, truly sustainable construction should not begin only when new materials arrive on-site. It should start with what happens to the existing structure. The EPA reports that the US generated 600 million tons of construction and demolition debris in 2018, with demolition making up more than 90 percent of that total.That’s where The ReUse People (TRP) comes in. TRP reduces the solid waste stream and changes the way the built environment is renewed by salvaging building materials and distributing them for reuse. Relied on by architects, contractors, building owners, and federal, state, and local governments since 1993, we’ve deconstructed over 4,000 houses and buildings and diverted over 400,000 tons of waste from landfills. Learn more about our commercial and residential deconstruction, explore our salvaged materials for sale, or donate today to support our work!
Modern building under renovation with reclaimed timber, steel, and concrete
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 owners make smarter decisions about renovations, material choices, long-term costs, and sustainability goals. It can also help you spot why building reuse, deconstruction, and salvaged materials are getting more attention in the real estate and construction world.
What Is Embodied Carbon?
Embodied carbon (also known as upfront carbon) is the greenhouse gas pollution primarily tied to the materials and construction process of a building. That includes raw material extraction, manufacturing, transportation, installation, maintenance, and often end-of-life stages such as demolition or disposal. Put simply, it’s the carbon released before and around a building’s use.For property owners, embodied carbon shows up in places such as: This is one reason reuse matters so much. When you keep existing materials in circulation or preserve part of an existing structure, you may avoid some of the emissions tied to making and shipping brand-new products. Architecture 2030’s decarbonization framework specifically points to reuse, renovation, recycled content, and designing for deconstruction as important strategies for cutting embodied carbon.
What Is Operational Carbon?
Operational carbon refers to the emissions produced during the day-to-day use of a building. Think heating, cooling, lighting, ventilation, plug loads, and hot water. If embodied carbon is tied to what a building is made of, operational carbon is tied to how it performs over time.For many property owners, operational carbon is the more familiar side of the equation because it overlaps with utility bills and energy upgrades. Common ways to lower operational carbon include improving insulation, sealing air leaks, upgrading HVAC systems, switching to efficient lighting, and using renewable electricity where possible.
Embodied Carbon vs. Operational Carbon: What’s the Difference?
A simple way to think about it is this:
Why Property Owners Should Care
This isn’t just a design-world issue. It affects practical decisions owners make every day:
A Smarter Carbon Strategy Starts With Both
A truly low-carbon property strategy looks at both embodied carbon and operational carbon; this is known as whole-life carbon. For property owners, that shift doesn’t have to be complicated. Start by thinking beyond utility bills. Ask what your project is made of, what can stay, and what can have a second life. Organizations such as The ReUse People (TRP) make that process more tangible by connecting deconstruction, reuse, and practical project planning.For owners planning remodels, teardowns, or upgrades, thoughtful alternatives to standard demolition can help reduce whole-life carbon. TRP’s residential and commercial deconstruction services are built around salvaging reusable materials. We also offer programs and services through The ReUse Institute, which helps architects, contractors, and owners interested in designing with deconstruction and reuse in mind. See how we can support your work!TRP reduces the solid waste stream and changes the way the built environment is renewed by salvaging building materials and distributing them for reuse. Relied on by architects, contractors, building owners, and federal, state, and local governments since 1993, we’ve deconstructed over 4,000 houses and buildings and diverted over 400,000 tons of waste from landfills. Learn more about our commercial and residential deconstruction, explore our salvaged materials for sale, or donate today to support our work!
Weathered reclaimed wood planks on a workbench with work gloves and hand tools
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 know where the material came from, what it was exposed to, or how to prepare it properly.That’s why buying from a trusted source matters. The ReUse People (TRP) retail warehouse offers salvaged materials and appliances for sale, giving homeowners access to quality used building materials while saving money and keeping reusable items out of the waste stream. 
Why Reclaimed Wood Is Worth Considering
For many homeowners, reclaimed wood checks several boxes at once. It can add texture and age to a room, support a more eco-conscious renovation, and sometimes reduce material costs compared with buying specialty new wood.Still, “reclaimed” does not automatically mean “ready to use.” Old wood may contain hidden fasteners, lead paint, mold, or residues from past treatments. A safe project starts with careful inspection and smart sourcing.
Start With the Wood’s History, if You Can
One of the first questions to ask is: Where did this wood come from? Wood reclaimed from an old barn, factory, fence, deck, or interior trim may each come with different concerns. If the wood came from a pre-1978 home, painted surfaces could contain lead-based paint. The EPA warns that renovation, repair, or painting projects in pre-1978 homes can create dangerous lead dust, and recommends testing for lead or assuming it’s present if the age is unclear.That doesn’t mean you can’t use older wood; it just means you should be selective. Shopping at a reputable salvage outlet (such as our retail warehouse) gives you a better chance of finding materials that have been recovered and sorted intentionally, with safety in mind.
Inspect Every Piece Before You Buy or Cut
Before bringing reclaimed wood into your home, check it closely. Look for: Mold deserves special attention. The EPA says mold can often be cleaned from hard surfaces, but porous materials that are wet and moldy may need to be discarded because mold can infiltrate the material and become difficult or impossible to remove fully.
Know When Old Treated Wood Is a Bad Fit
Some older outdoor lumber was pressure-treated with chemicals, including chromated copper arsenate (CCA). Homeowners may still encounter older CCA-treated wood in residential settings, and chemical residues can leach from it. If you suspect a board came from an old deck, playset, or similar outdoor structure, be careful about reusing it indoors, especially for countertops, shelving, or other high-contact surfaces.
Protect Yourself During Prep Work
The biggest safety issues often show up when you start cutting, sanding, or stripping the wood. A few smart precautions go a long way:
Safe, Beautiful, and Worth the Effort
Reclaimed wood can absolutely be part of a safe home renovation. Learn what you can about its origin, inspect it carefully, and protect yourself during prep. Remember that decorative uses such as shelving, trim, wall treatments, and furniture accents are often a better fit than structural applications unless the wood has been properly evaluated for safety.Done right, reclaimed wood brings a sense of story, resourcefulness, and craftsmanship to your space. And when you source it from a trusted place, such as TRP’s retail warehouse, you can make your renovation more sustainable without giving up style.TRP reduces the solid waste stream and changes the way the built environment is renewed by salvaging building materials and distributing them for reuse. Relied on by architects, contractors, building owners, and federal, state, and local governments since 1993, we’ve deconstructed over 4,000 houses and buildings and diverted over 400,000 tons of waste from landfills. Learn more about our commercial and residential deconstruction, explore our salvaged materials for sale, or donate today to support our work!

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 mill might now be a boutique hotel. This is adaptive reuse, and it's reshaping how the country thinks about historic preservation, sustainable construction, and the future of urban development.

What Is Adaptive Reuse and Why Does It Matter?

Adaptive reuse is the practice of repurposing an existing building for a new use while retaining its historic or architectural character. Unlike full demolition and new construction, it works with what's already there — the bones, facades, spatial layouts, and sometimes even original fixtures. The benefits are significant:

From a purely financial standpoint, preservation often pencils out better than teardown. Federal Historic Tax Credits can offset up to 20% of qualified rehabilitation costs, and many states layer on additional incentives.

Historic Preservation and Sustainability Go Hand in Hand

For much of the 20th century, preservation and environmentalism were considered separate concerns. That thinking has changed. The U.S. Green Building Council, the National Trust for Historic Preservation, and a growing body of research all reinforce the same conclusion: the greenest building is often the one that already exists.

New construction, even LEED-certified projects, generates significant carbon emissions during the build phase. When a building is demolished instead of reused, all the carbon embedded in its concrete, steel, and wood is effectively wasted. Adaptive reuse sidesteps this problem by extending a structure's useful life and minimizing new material inputs.

This is where thoughtful deconstruction becomes critical. Not every building can be saved whole. Some need partial demolition; others must come down entirely. But how that demolition happens matters enormously. Traditional wrecking-ball demolition sends salvageable materials — old-growth lumber, solid hardwood flooring, architectural millwork, vintage hardware — straight to the landfill. Deconstruction takes the opposite approach.

The Role of Deconstruction in Preservation and Reuse

Deconstruction is the careful, systematic dismantling of a structure to recover usable materials rather than simply destroying them. Think of it as construction in reverse. Skilled crews remove materials by hand or with specialized equipment, sorting and salvaging as they go. The result is a stream of reclaimed building materials that can be resold, donated, or redirected into new construction and renovation projects.

This matters for historic preservation in two key ways. First, deconstruction is often required when a historically significant structure must be partially or fully removed; local preservation boards and sustainability-minded developers increasingly mandate it. Second, reclaimed materials from deconstruction projects provide an authentic source of period-appropriate building components for restoration work.

Deconstruction also supports the circular economy. Instead of a linear "build, use, demolish" model, it creates a loop where materials flow back into the market and back into buildings — sometimes in the very same neighborhoods they came from.

Reclaim More With The ReUse People

When a building's time has come, whether it's a century-old Victorian or a 1970s commercial complex, the way it comes down matters as much as what comes next. For developers and preservationists committed to sustainable construction and responsible demolition, partnering with The ReUse People (TRP) means turning the end of one building's story into the beginning of another's.

For more than 30 years, TRP has been a pioneer in the deconstruction and reuse industry. Our retail warehouse and online shop make it easy for homeowners, contractors, and designers to find affordable, high-quality salvaged materials for sustainable projects. Whether you’re looking for reclaimed lumber, sinks, tiles, or vintage fixtures, TRP offers an ever-evolving selection that helps you remodel beautifully — without compromise. Explore our offerings today!

TRP reduces the solid waste stream and changes the way the built environment is renewed by salvaging building materials and distributing them for reuse. Relied on by architects, contractors, building owners, and federal, state, and local governments since 1993, we’ve deconstructed over 4,000 houses and buildings and diverted over 400,000 tons of waste from landfills. Learn more about our commercial and residential deconstruction, explore our salvaged materials for sale, or donate today to support our work!

Corporate sustainability isn't just good PR anymore. It's good business. From investor pressure to consumer expectations to tightening regulatory requirements, companies across every sector are being pushed to demonstrate measurable progress toward environmental goals. And while energy efficiency upgrades and supply chain improvements tend to dominate the conversation, one of the most impactful and most overlooked sustainability strategies happens before a shovel ever breaks ground on a new facility: commercial deconstruction.

What Is Commercial Deconstruction, and Why Does It Matter?

Traditional demolition is environmentally costly. When a building gets torn down the conventional way, the vast majority of its materials — lumber, doors, fixtures, steel framing, flooring, and more — go straight to the landfill. All that waste adds up in a big way. It’s estimated that in 2018, construction and demolition debris accounted for 600 million tons of waste generated in the United States, making it one of the largest waste streams in the country.

Commercial deconstruction takes a fundamentally different approach. Instead of destroying a structure outright, trained crews carefully dismantle it, salvaging reusable materials for donation, resale, or reuse in future construction projects. It's slower and more labor-intensive than a standard demolition, but the environmental payoff is significant.

For companies pursuing corporate sustainability goals, ESG (environmental, social, and governance) commitments, or Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design

(LEED) certification, deconstruction is a strategy worth serious consideration.

The Business Case for Sustainable Demolition

The environmental benefits of commercial deconstruction are clear, but the business benefits often surprise companies that haven't explored the option:

How The ReUse People Makes Commercial Deconstruction Work

The ReUse People (TRP) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that has built its entire mission around keeping reusable building materials out of landfills. Our commercial deconstruction services are structured to make the process as straightforward as possible for developers, construction managers, contractors, and building owners, all while maximizing the environmental and financial return.

TRP's commercial deconstruction process runs in three phases:

Deconstruction as Part of a Broader Green Business Strategy

The most effective corporate environmental strategies treat deconstruction as one component of a broader commitment to sustainable construction, circular economy principles, and responsible resource management. Companies should work with project teams early to identify deconstruction opportunities before demolition contracts are signed.

Getting Started With Deconstruction

If your company has a renovation, relocation, or facility closure on the horizon, commercial deconstruction deserves a spot on the planning agenda. To learn more about TRP's commercial deconstruction services or to schedule a free site assessment, click here or call (888) 588-9490.

For more than 30 years, TRP has been a pioneer in the deconstruction and reuse industry. We reduce the solid waste stream and change the way the built environment is renewed by salvaging building materials and distributing them for reuse. Relied on by architects, contractors, building owners, and federal, state, and local governments since 1993, we’ve deconstructed over 4,000 houses and buildings and diverted over 400,000 tons of waste from landfills. Learn more about our commercial and residential deconstruction, or donate today to support our work!

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, and support sustainability goals.

Let’s explore the tenant improvement process and how deconstruction can make it more effective for all.

What Are Tenant Improvements?

Tenant improvements (TI) — also known as leasehold improvements — are changes made to a leased space so it works for a tenant’s needs. In a retail suite, that might mean fitting rooms, lighting, and display walls. In an office, it could mean conference rooms, flooring, glass partitions, break rooms, or built-in cabinetry.

These improvements can be extensive, and they often involve a large volume of materials. That’s why it helps to think about the full life cycle of tenant improvements, from installation to removal.

Installation Is Only Half the Story

When a tenant signs a lease, the focus is usually on schedules, allowances, permits, and opening dates. That makes sense. But a space designed without a removal plan can create expensive headaches later.

A few years down the road, the same improvements may need to be removed during a lease exit, reconfigured for a new tenant, replaced during a remodel, or demolished as part of a larger redevelopment. This is where owners, contractors, and tenants can save money and reduce waste by choosing selective dismantling and deconstruction services instead of default demolition.

Here’s why deconstruction can be a better fit for TI removal:

If a project includes office, retail, mixed-use, or facility build-outs, The ReUse People (TRP) can help with selective deconstruction and material recovery as part of a renovation or turnover strategy. TRP also supports homeowners and residential projects, which is especially useful when TI-style upgrades overlap with home renovations, ADU conversions, or major interior removals. 

In both cases, the core advantage is the same: a more intentional process that treats building materials as assets rather than automatic waste.

A Smarter Way to Plan Tenant Improvements From Day One

The best time to think about tenant improvement removal is before installation begins. That does not mean overcomplicating a project. It means making practical decisions that support future flexibility.

Here are a few ways to do that:

TIs are not just about how a space looks on opening day. Consider how a space performs over time — and what happens when the next change comes. That full-cycle mindset supports better budgeting, better sustainability outcomes, and smarter construction practices.

If your next project involves a build-out, remodel, or TI removal, consider working with a team that prioritizes deconstruction and reuse. TRP can help reduce waste and recover value through deconstruction. When TIs eventually come out, it pays to have a plan that goes beyond demolition.

TRP reduces the solid waste stream and changes the way the built environment is renewed by salvaging building materials and distributing them for reuse. Relied on by architects, contractors, building owners, and federal, state, and local governments since 1993, we’ve deconstructed over 4,000 houses and buildings and diverted over 400,000 tons of waste from landfills. Learn more about our commercial and residential deconstruction, explore our salvaged materials for sale, or donate today to support our work!

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 children, long-term guests, caregivers, or rental income.

Before you move ahead with plans, it helps to focus on three issues that shape nearly every building project: cost, zoning, and design. When homeowners slow down and answer those questions early, they are more likely to avoid expensive surprises later.

How Much Does It Cost to Build an ADU?

The answer depends on where you live, what kind of ADU you want, and how much site work your property needs. Recent national cost guides estimate that many ADUs fall in the range of about $150 to $300 per square foot, while some projects run higher depending on location, finishes, utility work, and complexity. In-law suite style additions are often estimated at around $100 to $200 per square foot, and conversions can sometimes cost less than detached new construction because part of the structure already exists.

That wide range reflects real-world variation. A garage conversion may be more affordable than a detached backyard cottage that needs a new foundation, roofing, plumbing, and electrical work. Costs can also rise when a lot has grading challenges, limited construction access, or aging infrastructure that must be upgraded to support a second unit.

A strong ADU budget should include more than lumber and finishes. Homeowners often overlook soft costs and site-related expenses, including:

The Zoning Questions to Ask First

ADU zoning requirements vary from place to place because ADU policy is shaped by a mix of state law and local zoning. U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development research notes that many state ADU reforms are designed to limit overly restrictive local rules, but cities and counties still control important details through their ordinances and permitting processes.

Before you spend money on drawings, contact your local planning or building department and ask:

Design Ideas That Make a Small Space Work Harder

The best ADU design ideas are usually practical before they are trendy. In a small footprint, layout matters more than square footage. Open-plan living areas, strong natural light, and built-in storage can make a compact unit feel more comfortable and functional.

Many homeowners also benefit from thinking ahead. Wider doorways, step-free entries, and accessible bathrooms can make an ADU more useful for aging in place or multigenerational living. Energy efficiency matters, too, and can help lower long-term utility costs.

Another design angle worth considering early is salvaged building materials. Reclaimed doors, cabinets, flooring, lighting, sinks, and architectural details can add warmth and individuality to an ADU while helping reduce waste.

This is where our deconstruction services at The ReUse People (TRP) can fit naturally into an ADU project. If your plan involves removing an old garage, detached structure, or worn-out addition before building, TRP offers deconstruction as an alternative to standard demolition.

And if you want your ADU to look distinctive, not cookie-cutter, TRP can help on the design side, too. TRP’s retail warehouse is open to the public and stocks salvaged materials and appliances recovered from deconstruction projects. Shoppers can find quality used materials at lower prices, which can make reclaimed finishes a practical option for homeowners balancing style, sustainability, and budget.

TRP reduces the solid waste stream and changes the way the built environment is renewed by salvaging building materials and distributing them for reuse. Relied on by architects, contractors, building owners, and federal, state, and local governments since 1993, we’ve deconstructed over 4,000 houses and buildings and diverted over 400,000 tons of waste from landfills. Learn more about our commercial and residential deconstruction, explore our salvaged materials for sale, or donate today to support our work!

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 to the inability of those small operations to weather standard industry swings: high prices, shrinking labor pools, and shifts in government policies. Unfortunately, with far fewer places to take materials, the number of residences being deconstructed also plummeted.

Then, a second wave struck. This time in the form of advanced education, driven primarily by the sciences. Universities, professors and students in engineering, architecture, energy, chemistry and sustainability/conservation fields recognized the challenges and benefits of reuse as well as shifting developments in construction materials. I’m not a sociologist, economist or soothsayer; I can’t tell you precisely what unleashed these two waves in rapid succession, but I am thrilled about the second one.

I do not believe, as others do, that small business owners, contractors and workers will be displaced by engineers, scientists and architects. However, I do think this sea change will create some consolidation, with the realization that small operators and family-owned enterprises are unlikely to become major employment generators. The future, if there is to be one, must capture more materials, in much shorter time periods, under safer conditions, and for less money. New economic enterprises run by tomorrow’s graduates in partnership with field personnel (laborers, supervisors, analysts, material handlers and inspectors) will both drive and ride this second wave.

This is part of the New Industrial Revolution, a shift from small practitioners to present-day students of various disciplines who will shortly become professionals in finance, distribution and management. Their involvement will drive money and investors to the building-materials reuse industry.

What prompts my optimism? Over most of the past decade, I received one or two calls per month from university students who were writing papers or conducting research in pursuit of masters or doctorate degrees. Then, just a little over a year ago I began receiving about one call a week. I now get three to five emails a week requesting virtual meetings.

This year I have spoken to professors and students from San Jose State, University of Colorado at Boulder, Boston Architectural College, Georgia Technical University, Columbia University, University of Texas, Southern Methodist University, University of California Berkeley, Purdue University, Bard College and the State University New York.

I wonder when my alma mater (The Ohio State University) will call.

This three-part series concludes with a look at the last link in the donation process – the nonprofit reuse organization.

I believe nonprofits that receive donations of salvaged reusable building materials have an obligation to their donors, and to one another, to refuse materials from donors whose appraisers improperly value materials and charge outrageous prices for their fluffed-up, hundred-plus page reports. Furthermore, they should never accept damaged, non-reusable materials just to keep the donor’s valuation high.

Even nonprofits sometimes settle for short-term returns just to stay afloat. But doing charitable work does not excuse a company from being properly managed – with integrity, tested systems, trained workers, and responsible officers and managers, all with an eye on the mission – reuse!

I have seen lumber delivered to nationally known charitable reuse stores, only to have the manager discard the lumber due to lack of storage space, while still allowing it to be counted as part of the donor’s tax-deducible donation.

Donors should also beware of receiving organizations that recommend a single appraiser, knowing that the appraiser substantially overvalues donations, and that having the materials accurately appraised might result in no donation at all.

I recently became aware of an organization that uses only real estate appraisers, as if the entire house were being lifted up and donated. What makes this practice particularly egregious is that the organization knows full well only salvaged materials will be donated – not the whole house.

Here’s how to avoid falling prey to unlawful appraisers, shoddy contractors or questionable nonprofits:
• Speak directly with appraisers you are considering for the valuation of your donation. Ask to see a recent appraisal report (names and amounts redacted). Be aware that material comparisons may be largely copied from prior appraisal reports. If you think the fee and/or report size (100 or more pages) are excessive, probe a bit. Remember that the nonprofit should have prepared a detailed inventory with supporting photographs.
• Check up on the capability of deconstruction contractors by talking with at least three of their customers. If possible, visit one of the contractor’s active deconstruction sites.
• Visit the organization designated to receive your donated materials. Examining the quality of materials previously received will help you judge their ability to effectively handle and distribute your materials. Try to have conversations with a couple of recent donors.

IRS reviews of nonprofit organizations and donors are confidential. So, unless you do your own investigation, it will be almost impossible to separate the good guys from the bad.

Plan to undertake your own thoughtful review of appraisers, contractors and receiving nonprofits. You do not want your donation to spark an IRS audit.

If you desire more information, please contact me. TedReiff@TheReUsePeople.org or 510.557.1538.