5 Non-Profits Who Work With Deconstructed Property
You may know some of the advantages of working with Green Donation Consultants on your deconstructed property versus demolition. Tax savings and positive environmental outcomes are just a couple of the reasons that contractors, architects, developers and more are choosing deconstruction as their preferred process prior to construction or renovation.
But have you thought about the other side of the equation? Non-profit organizations all over the country are the grateful recipients of the deconstruction supply chain. This chain is a multi-step process that starts with the actual deconstruction and ends in truly innovative reuse of disassembled and salvaged building materials. Here are just a few of the non-profits that are building their communities with deconstructed property.
Building Materials Reuse Association (BMRA): (website) BMRA is the national organization that coordinates and promotes the use of deconstructed property. The BMRA also lobbies policies that encourage the reuse of disassembled and salvaged materials, rather than their disposal. It maintains a database of organizations, contractors, deconstruction companies, and reuse facilitators in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. This allows developers, investors, and others seeking deconstruction services or seeking to purchase and utilize salvaged building materials and furnishings to find the right expert to help. Their yearly Decon+Reuse Expo brings together all of the major figures in the deconstruction industry to promote new ideas and strategies for reusing deconstructed materials.
Habitat for Humanity ReStore: (website) You know Habitat for Humanity is a great non-profit that provides affordable housing for thousands of families in more than 1,400 communities worldwide. What you may not know about is their ReStore network of donation centers. ReStore centers sell furniture, appliances, and building materials sourced in part from deconstruction companies. One arm of their organization, the Nationwide Procurement and Logistics Team, can even facilitate large-scale pickup and distribution of disassembled and salvaged materials from nationwide chain remodels, going out of business clearances, and more.
L.A. Shares: (website) L. A. Shares is a non-profit that benefits Los Angeles County non-profit organizations in direct service to the community as well as county schools. Sourcing in part from deconstructed property of local businesses, L. A. Shares acts as a matchmaker for schools and organizations. These organizations provide a wishlist, and they are paired with businesses with materials to donate. Last year they diverted more than 1,000,000 pounds of goods and materials from landfills in the area, and helped more than 2,500 non-profits and schools. In their 25+ years, L. A. Shares has become, through its partnerships, the largest single donor of goods to educational and arts organizations in the metropolitan area.
Construction Junction: (website) Pittsburgh’s Construction Junction focuses on the environmental benefits of their service. They accept salvaged materials and offers them for resale in a 30,000 sq. ft. store at greatly reduced prices. Their website is a treasure trove of ideas for reuse and recycling of materials and furnishings, and their calendar is full of events that inform and educate on new and innovative ways to use the salvaged materials they provide. They use excess materials to support dozens of local non-profits through their CJ ReGives program.
Community Forklift: (website) Serving the Metro DC region since 2005, Maryland’s Community Forklift has recovered more than $30 million in materials. It has supplied materials to non-profit organizations and private individuals in need, as well as supplying materials for artisans and for historic renovations. Interestingly, one of the effects of their work is drawing other green businesses to the area where they operate. These businesses include electronics and lighting repair businesses and artisans who work with found and salvaged materials. They created a business incubator to mentor other green businesses and host educational tours, programs, events, and workshops.
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While deconstruction has so many bottom-line benefits, it’s good to remember that there’s an even bigger benefit. That benefit comes in the form of the deserving individuals and organizations who receive your deconstructed property. They benefit from lower costs on building materials, appliances, electronics, and furniture salvaged during the deconstruction process. And if you are lucky enough to live near one of these organizations, check them out. They offer many volunteer, educational, and community service opportunities.
Looking for someone to help you with a deconstruction and disassembly process for your next residential or commercial renovation? We have the expertise you need and the network of contacts to help you. Learn how to apply the advantages of deconstruction to your next project by scheduling a free consultation.