Recycling is expanding from newspapers and bottles to entire houses as foreclosures, tax credits and landfill costs prompt businesses and non-profit organizations to salvage materials from old homes.
According to USA TODAY, stores are springing up to sell used lumber, appliances, cabinetry and flooring.
Habitat for Humanity, a non-profit that builds and rehabs affordable homes, has 550 such retail outlets, called “ReStores.” Mark Andrews, Habitat’s director of U.S. operations, says the number is growing “almost daily.” He expects an additional 100 stores in the next year.
“It’s exploded all over the country” in the past five to seven years, says green building expert David Johnston about the trend toward deconstructing, rather than demolishing, homes.
Owners get a double benefit – a tax credit for donating goods and peace of mind for not dumping into landfills.
Photo by habitat.org.