USA Today recently reported that recycling homes is becoming a booming enterprise, citing a trend toward deconstruction rather than demolition. One of our competitors and my former colleague, Ted Reiff, goes on to mention that the heightened interest may be due to stimulus funding.

NEW BLOG POST: Recycling Homes Should be a Matter of Conscience, Not Stimulus Money

January 20, 2010

Home’s Building Materials will be Reused by Local Non-Profits

Los Angeles, CA – January 20, 2010: Deconstruction & ReUseNetwork (DRN), an environmental and humanitarian non-profit, is assisting homeowners in Bel Air with the deconstruction of their home for reuse and recycling. Deconstruction is environmentally practical and, in most cases, provides property owners with significant tax deductions. This major remodel project includes carefully dismantling approximately 75% of the 5,500 square-foot home. DRN develops programs for property owners to ensure structures slated for remodel or tear down will be reused and recycled. Most projects are completed in 3 weeks or less.

DRN president Lorenz Schilling estimates that most of this structure will be reusable. “A typical home can yield as much as 85% diversion through reuse and recycling,” says Schilling. “With traditional demolition, tons of materials are sent to the local landfill, the majority of which can be reused in their current state in other homes in our region. Deconstruction is a win-win for the environment and Southern California.”

DRN began the process by identifying and inventorying all reusable (and donatable) items in the home. Next, McLoud Demolition, a longtime deconstruction contractor for DRN, carefully dismantled the home and organized all salvageable materials under DRN’s direction. Appliances, French doors, cabinetry, solid interior doors, light fixtures, plumbing fixtures were just some of the great materials that made up the owners’ donation. Habitat for Humanity of Greater Los Angeles’ Home Improvement Store (located in Gardena) helps DRN to achieve its mission by using some of the green salvage in construction or selling reusable materials to the public through their ReStore. Rough lumber will be delivered to Orange County based Corazon, where the lumber will be used to help build more sustainable communities and affordable housing for low-income families in Tecate and Tijuana. target=new1>Click here to view photos.

About Deconstruction & ReUse Network:
Deconstruction & ReUse Network is an environmental public benefit corporation 501(c)(3), whose mission is to promote and empower deconstruction practices and to grow a greater reuse network for quality building materials through partnerships with complimentary operations and organizations. Deconstruction & ReUse Network currently serves Northern and Southern California with partnerships that benefit Habitat for Humanity and Corazon. www.Decon-Network.org

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Deconstruction of Bel Air Home Yields Tons of Valuable Materials That Will Be Donated to Help Build Affordable Housing