November 11, 2011

Deconstruction & ReUse Network, Inc. is searching for a qualified individual to help us maintain and grow our client base in the following regions:
• East Bay
• Santa Clara
• Santa Cruz
• San Mateo
• Los Angeles
• Orange County
• San Diego

This position requires a strong sales background, or a solid dedication to our industry and meeting the quarterly revenue objectives. This position is ideal for a business person looking to add services to their repertoire, and is commission-based only. Please read this posting carefully and respond if you believe your interests & qualifications make you a suitable candidate.

Our goal is to educate and empower homeowners, building industry professionals and civic leaders to adopt the practice of deconstruction as a rational alternative to traditional demolition, thereby keeping C&D materials out of landfills, while simultaneously growing a robust network of individuals and organizations committed to the reclamation and distribution of reusable building materials.

DRN collaborates with complimentary affordable home building organizations in an effort to better complete the circle of reuse. These currently include Habitat for Humanity affiliates in Sonoma County and future San Jose and San Mateo locations, Rebuilding Together SF, and The Away Station in Fairfax. We also work with Reuse Businesses such as Urban Ore, Ohmega Salvage, and other for profit reuse entrepreneurs.

About the position:
Our business has been growing steadily, necessitating expansion of our team. We are searching for an individual to focus on Project Development:
Responsibilities Include:
a. Identifying deconstruction project-candidates and educating relevant parties on the potential benefits of our program.
b. Determine the project-candidate’s general scope and point of contact, approach decision makers and make program presentations.
c. Increasing awareness through more general forms of public outreach (e.g. communicating with local governments, trade show presence, etc.) will be an integral function.
d. Direct Marketing through records searches using letters, post cards and follow up calls.
e. Helping to identify local reuse outlets for materials both non-profit and for profit and assist the Local Development Directors to bring them on as donation recipients/buyers of materials.

The qualified candidate will possess a unique set of skills and experiences. These include:
Mandatory
● Experience in the building industry – Familiarity with common materials and basic principles of SFR construction, as well as the ability to understand what motivates builders and designers.
● Experience and demonstrated success as a consultant and/or in consultative sales.
● Self starter quality – While we will provide the necessary support for you to succeed, we prefer to not micro-manage and appreciate” go-getters”.
● Excellent spoken and written communication abilities – We need someone who can convey our mission effectively to a wide range of individuals, including homeowners, builders, architects, government officials, etc.
● Furnish personal and reliable vehicle, camera, and useful tools (digital recorder, computer, tape measure, etc) .
● Familiarity with and willingness to travel throughout regions.
● Comfortable with basic office and administrative tasks (i.e. full-time computer/internet access and familiarity with Adobe & MS Office products or equivalent).

Desired
● Knowledge of green building practices – e.g. LEED or BIG standards and/or academic background in environmental studies or professional experience in related fields.
● Established professional contacts within the local building industry.
● Non-profit/NGO experience
● Ability to work on commission.

*This is a commission-based position.

If your skills and experiences closely match our mandatory and desired qualifications, please compose a brief introduction letter, and attach, along with a current resume, as a .pdf or MS Word doc. Send to admin [at] reusenetwork [dot] org

admin@reusenetwork.org

June 8, 2011

New Photo Gallery: Charitable ReUse of Lumber helps Corazon build a community center in Canon Carretas MX

Corazon Builds Community Center in Canon Carretas MX Using Salvaged Lumber

May 3, 2011

The 8th Annual Alt Build Expo is this Friday and Saturday in Santa Monica and we are proud to be exhibiting again. Please visit us during the show in booth #48 and share your tips for Thinking Outside The Roll-Off!

Join us at Alt Build Expo 2011

March 31, 2011

Today, DRN is co-hosting the first So Cal ReUse Summit with the Reuse Alliance in City of Industry. California carpet manufacturer Bentley Prince Street is hosting the event in its LEED-EB Silver certified carpet mill. We are expecting 50 reuse professionals including representatives from SUSTAIN LA, BURBANK GREEN ALLIANCE, HABITAT FOR HUMANITY RESTORE OF SO CALIFORNIA, BENTLEY PRINCE STREET, ECOVATIONS, CITY OF SANTA MONICA, REUSE PEOPLE OF AMERICA, LA COUNTY DEPT OF PUBLIC WORKS and EPA. Following today's summit, we'll be posting findings on this site and you can follow along during the conversation live on Twitter with the hashtag #reusesummit.

February 1, 2011

Corazón, bestowed its highest award, The Order of the Grader, on Deconstruction and Re-use Network founder, Lorenz Schilling, at its Annual Meeting January 29 in Irvine. The Order of the Grader Award, established in 1993, recognizes volunteers who embody the organization’s indomitable spirit of completing their mission of building community across borders in Northern Baja California no matter what obstacles they may encounter. Lorenz’s recycled building material donations helped sustain construction activities in their seven communities in Mexico during the difficult economic times for the past two years.

Corazón Bestows its Order of the Grader Award to Lorenz Schilling

Overlooking the famous Chateau Marmont, this Los Angeles full deconstruction saw some nice kitchen cabinets, plantation shutters and several hundred sq feet of hardwood flooring among the items donated for ReUse.

New Photo Gallery: Hollywood HIlls Home Deconstruction

November 9, 2010

Deconstruction and Reuse Network have been working hard on three deconstruction projects in Southern California. Photos documenting 1 home in Rolling Hills and 2 in Manhattan Beach have now been added to the photo gallery. Deconstruction and ReUse Network will ensure that the donations from all three of these homes will be put to charitable ReUse. 

Just Added to the Photo Gallery: 3 New Deconstruction Projects in Southern California

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.

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

Featuring Lorenz Schilling
From: Remodeling Magazine June 2010
Posted on: June 14, 2010

To get with the program — the deconstruction and recycling program — remodelers must think ahead.

Well ahead of construction, for instance, identify which cabinets, appliances, fixtures, and floorboards might be of value and to whom. Schedule accordingly: Deconstruction takes longer than demolition, and donation groups are often booked weeks out.

Think ahead also in terms of operations and marketing. Years before your competitors embrace “diversion” as a routine best practice, embrace it as yours.

“This is the way the industry is going,” says Lorenz Schilling, president of the Deconstruction & ReUse Network, a California nonprofit. By collaborating with material-reuse groups now, he says, you’ll be “dialed-in” to a practice that homeowners will find increasingly attractive as environmental awareness grows.

Read more >>

Thinking Outside the Dumpster

Featuring Lorenz Schilling
From: Remodeling Magazine June 2010
Posted on: June 14, 2010

Thinking Outside the Dumpster

January 15, 2010

Just added to Photo Gallery: Building in Baja with Corazon. Donated materials were used to build this school - see if you recognize the famous blue roof tiles!

Building a High School in Baja with Corazon

November 17, 2009

Tim Smith learned about Deconstruction from his architect and his golfing mate. Tim was initially hesitant about the extra time deconstruction would take but ultimately decided it was silly to spend extra money in the long run to throw materials into the landfill or recycle when reuse and donation clearly made more financial sense for his project. Working with Tim has been great. He’s the nicest guy. All of us at DRN suggest you get your next vehicle at Bob Smith BMW in Calabasas, which Tim Smith just happens to own.

LaCanada-Flintridge Home Deconstruction & Donation

November 9, 2009

Deconstruction began August 2009 with Tim Greenleaf Engineering. Beautiful Balboa Peninsula home is being remodeled by general contractor Mark Lockwood and its homeowners chose deconstruction and reuse. This home had a great deal of antique and rustic light fixtures and plumbing fixtures as well as professional grade appliances which were donated to the Habitat for Humanity ReStore in Garden Grove. Great double hung windows from 1928 were donated to Silverlake Architectural Salvage.

November 16, 2009

General contractor Doron Naiem started his first residential green building endeavor in the Palisades, choosing deconstruction over traditional demolition on the Newton residence. This home had lots of great lumber, doors, hardwood flooring, brick and more that was salvaged and donated for reuse.

Just Added to Photo Gallery: Pacific Pallisades Home Deconstruction

November 9, 2009

This Deconstruction & ReUse project is in Palos Verdes, California and includes a nearly complete teardown (few small retaining walls remain) of a 5,328 square foot single family home, circa 1979. The total donation will include over 500 square feet of marble tile; 2,000+ square feet of reusable carpeting; appliances; kitchen & bath fixtures, cabinets & vanities; interior and exterior doors; light fixtures; other finished materials and salvaged lumber.

Visit our photo gallery to view photos of this Palos Verdes home before, during and after the deconstruction and donation process.

Palos Verdes Home Recycled

November 12, 2009

Working with Larry Murakami Contracting on a Manhattan Beach property circa 1936. The main house (1,836 sq ft) will be deconstructed to framing & the garage (576 sq ft) will be completely deconstructed including framing. Building materials to be donated include: appliances; water heater; kitchen & bath cabinets, vanities, fixtures; interior and exterior doors; stained glass windows; portion of original hardwood floors; interior wood paneling; framing lumber and more.

10/01/09 Manhattan Beach Home Deconstruction

October 30, 2009

DRN Founder Lorenz Schilling was interviewed by Meet the Planet's radio show Sunday, November 1 at 7:00 p.m. PST. Recording was done at West Coast Green 2009. (No archive currently available)

July 14, 2009

Lorenz Schilling appeared on CNN Local Edition with Brad Pomerance to discuss Deconstruction & ReUse Network.

DRN Founder on CNN Local Edition

January 13, 2009

California Leads Nation in Recycling at 58% Waste Diversion

December 10, 2008

Our founder/president, Lorenz Schilling was on "5900 Wilshire" in late December 2008. The community affairs program airs at 7:30 am on 100.3 FM The Sound hosted by Mike Powers.

Click here to listen to the interview

November 15, 2008

The Deconstruction & ReUse Network is an official eBay Giving Works charity, which means you can designate 10-100% of your eBay auction sale price be donated to our non-profit. Also, we just added a DONATE button to the website - via Paypal - and we welcome all donations, large or small. Thank you for your continued support & for thinking “Outside the Roll-Off.”

Lorenz Schilling Interview on Big Blend Radio's "Nature Connection" show from October 24, 2008.

The Nature Connection on Big Blend Radio

June 1, 2011

Los Angeles, CA – June 1, 2011: Elisa Brown, a Los Angeles based Green Event and Business Consultant, and Erin Acuña, a Bay Area LEED Accredited Professional and Certified Interior Designer, have joined Deconstruction & ReUse Network (DRN) as regional representatives. DRN is a social benefit and environmental non-profit dedicated to furthering the reuse of building materials and salvage while educating people about the advantages of these building practices. Ms. Brown joins the Los Angeles team, bringing extensive experience with non-profits and green businesses that will aide in developing awareness and coordinating Grant Proposals. As a representative for the Santa Clara, Santa Cruz and Monterey areas, Ms. Acuña will be a valuable resource to assist property owners and businesses in facilitating deconstruction and charitable reuse.
“Elisa and Erin bring varied skills and education and we are so pleased to welcome them both to our growing team,” says Lorenz Shilling, DRN president and founder. “Their experience with green businesses, non-profits, construction and design is a great fit for our organization and will benefit the Californians we serve tremendously.”
Ms. Brown is a Sustainability and Green Event Consultant for non-profits and Green Businesses. Her experience with non-profits is an asset to DRN as she will also coordinate grant proposals and support the development department. Ms. Brown has a Bachelor of Science degree in Ecology, Evolution and Behavior from University of California, Los Angeles.
Ms. Acuña’s qualifications as a LEED Accredited Professional and a Certified Interior Designer have lead her to successfully work for several Design and Construction companies throughout Northern California. Ms. Acuña holds a Bachelor of Science in Construction Management with an emphasis in Architectural Project Management.
As representatives for DRN, Ms. Brown and Ms. Acuña will be working with property owners and policy makers to help them save money and resources through deconstruction, and facilitate charitable reuse of surplus materials.
DRN is an environmental and social benefit 501(c)(3) dedicated to promoting and empowering deconstruction practices and the reuse of quality building materials through collaboration. The organization endeavors to secure continued life for reusable items in order to reduce waste. DRN facilitates charitable reuse of surplus property and building materials through partnerships with IRN – The Recycling Network, Habitat for Humanity affiliates in California, and the housing ministry, Corazón.
About Deconstruction & ReUse Network:
Deconstruction & ReUse Network is an environmental and social 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
# # #
Media Contact:
Angela Moore
Starfish P.R.
T: 310-429-8868
angela@starfish-pr.com

Deconstruction & ReUse Network Expands Reach in Los Angeles & Monterey Counties with Addition of Elisa Brown & Erin Acuña

Non-Profit offers Comprehensive Charitable ReUse Solutions for Building Materials & Surplus Salvage in California

Santa Monica, CA – May 6, 2011: Alt Build Expo in Santa Monica is one of the most established Green events in the country and each year it attracts industry professionals, homeowners and experts from all areas of environmental responsibility. At this year’s expo May 6 and 7, 2011, Deconstruction & ReUse Network (DRN) will be highlighting its expanded services, which includes charitable reuse solutions for surplus materials. DRN now offers the most comprehensive charitable reuse solutions for building materials and surplus salvage in California. Attendees are invited to “Think outside the Roll-off” with DRN in Booth #48.
“Alt Build is just great because the City of Santa Monica and its residents are conscious of their environmental impact and really receptive to learning about new and creative environmental solutions, like the ones DRN and other innovative exhibitors at the expo provide,” says Lorenz Schilling, president and founder of DRN. “We are thrilled to have Corazón with us this year to demonstrate the humanitarian benefits of charitable reuse, in addition to its environmental benefits.”
DRN is an environmental and social benefit 501(c)(3) dedicated to promoting and empowering deconstruction practices and the reuse of quality building materials through collaboration. The organization endeavors to secure continued life for reusable items in order to reduce waste. DRN facilitates charitable reuse of surplus property and building materials through partnerships with IRN – The Recycling Network, Habitat for Humanity affiliates in California, and the housing ministry, Corazón.
Corazón is a bi-national U.S./Mexico non-profit organization with a proven track record at building homes, while strengthening families and emerging communities in Baja California. Corazón works to develop self-sufficient, cohesive and safer neighborhoods through a variety of means. Corazón provides educational scholarships to children, and vocational and essential life-skills training to adults. Representatives from Corazón will be exhibiting with DRN to share photos and videos that demonstrate exactly how building materials donated through DRN have been and can be used to build homes, schools, community centers, and good will in Baja California.
As a non-profit, DRN is committed to educating others about the critical role of reuse in sustainability, therefore they are asking attendees to Alt Build Expo to stop by their booth #48 anytime during the show to record a message for the world with tips to “Think outside the Roll-off!” The video will be featured on DRN’s website and blog, appropriately named Thinking Outside the Roll-off.
About Deconstruction & ReUse Network:
Deconstruction & ReUse Network is an environmental and social 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
# # #
Media Contact:
Angela Moore, Starfish P.R.
T: 310-429-8868
angela@starfish-pr.com

Deconstruction & Reuse Network Advocates ReUse over Recycling at 8th Annual Alt Build Expo

January 12, 2011

Three Reuse Leaders Extend Commitment to Sustainability, Join National Reuse Nonprofit

New York, NY – January 12, 2011: Lorenz Schilling of the Deconstruction and Reuse Network; Mary Ann Remolador of the Reuse Marketplace; and Joe Connell of Habitat for Humanity ReStores of Portland Metro Area, are furthering their commitment to the reuse movement by joining the board of directors for the Reuse Alliance - a national nonprofit working to increase awareness of reuse by educating the public about the social, environmental and economic benefits of reuse.

Lorenz Schilling is the President of the Deconstruction and Reuse Network, a California-based nonprofit that provides deconstruction and reuse solutions; educates Californians about the environmental and humanitarian benefits of building materials reuse; and offers surplus property reuse services. “Reuse Alliance is working on a national scale to make reuse a matter of action. I am happy to have been appointed to serve on their board and look forward to developing national campaigns that will increase awareness and advance reuse practices.” says Mr. Schilling.

Mary Ann Remolador is the Assistant Director of the Northeast Recycling Council, a Vermont-based nonprofit that promotes waste reduction, reuse, and recycling; and manages the Reuse Marketplace - an online tool that lets you browse available items on a national network of materials exchanges. “It is wonderful to be part of an organization that brings a national voice to reuse. As a board member, I look forward to developing the organization’s programs to help people understand the economic and environmental benefits of reuse,” stated Ms. Remolador.

Joe Connell is the Director of the Habitat for Humanity ReStores in the Portland Oregon metropolitan area. He oversees two ReStores and is opening a third in the spring, and was a member of the Habitat’s National ReStore Work Group. “I have learned through my work with Habitat that we are all stronger when we work together, and I think that the Reuse Alliance and Habitat ReStores are natural partners in the effort to promote reuse as a sustainable materials management strategy. I believe the Reuse Alliance is well positioned to be the national network for the reuse industry, and I am excited to be part of it,” says Mr. Connell.

As board members for Reuse Alliance, Schilling, Remolador and Connell will support a national movement to increase public awareness and access to innovative reuse and waste prevention services. Rounding out the board of directors is Harriet Taub of Materials for Arts; Ann Woodward of The Scrap Exchange; Luis Jimenez of Goodwill Industries of NY and Northern NJ; MaryEllen Etienne of Reuse Alliance; and Stefanie Feldman of Waste Management. “I look forward to working with such a knowledgeable and enthusiastic team that shares a common commitment and passion to promote the triple bottom line benefits of reuse”, stated MaryEllen Etienne, Executive Director of the Reuse Alliance.

# # #

About Reuse Alliance:
Reuse Alliance was born in 2005 by five individuals who shared an interest in increasing awareness of reuse. Under the leadership of the founding director, MaryEllen Etienne, the Reuse Alliance became a nonprofit organization. The Reuse Alliance began organizing the reuse community, advocating for reuse policy, and providing networking opportunities in the New York City metropolitan area. The organization re-launched as a national organization in late 2009, and now offers educational programs such as Master Reuser TM and organized the first national reuse conference and expo, ReuseConex, in North Carolina this past October. For more information, visit: http://www.reusealliance.org.

About Deconstruction and Reuse Network:
Deconstruction and 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. Proud member of Build it Green; International Facility Management Association and the California Resource Recovery Association. Deconstruction and Reuse Network currently serves Northern and Southern California with partnerships that benefit Habitat for Humanity and Corazon. For more information, visit: http://www.decon-network.org.

About Reuse Marketplace:
The Reuse Marketplace, a program of the Northeast Recycling Council, is a web-based network that allows you to browse available items from Materials Exchanges around the country. These exchanges are entities that make reusable items no longer needed by businesses, municipalities, and non-profits available for sale or for free to anyone interested. It’s a win-win-win scenario. Website users save money on disposal costs, others save money on purchase costs, and the environment benefits by reducing the amount of waste flowing into landfills. For more information, visit: http://www.reusemarketplace.org.

About Habitat for Humanity ReStores of Portland Metro Area:
Habitat ReStores of Portland Metro Area are open to the public and sell a variety of high-quality, used and surplus building materials, appliances, furniture and other home improvement products. The merchandise is donated by businesses and individuals and is sold at a fraction of retail price. Usable materials are kept out of the waste stream and are put into home building, remodeling, and creative arts projects. They have raised over $1,000,000 to help build Habitat homes in the Portland-Vancouver Metro area and are keeping over 2,000 tons of materials out of the landfill each year. These ReStores are part of a network of over 700 ReStores nationally. Proceeds help Habitat for Humanity build affordable homes throughout the country and help support our work in 90 countries throughout the world. For more information, visit: http://pdxrestore.org.

Reuse Alliance Expands Board

December 9, 2010

As Development Director, McGray Boosts Efforts to Decrease Waste

Los Angeles, CA – December 9, 2010: Deconstruction & ReUse Network (DRN), an environmental and humanitarian non-profit, has promoted Myles McGray to Development Director for Los Angeles County. McGray has been very successful thus far in Los Angeles’ South Bay area, advancing participation in deconstruction of property owners and building industry professionals, with 17 projects completed in the last 12 months; equating to approximately 276 tons of building materials salvaged and gifted for charitable reuse in neighboring communities. McGray will widen his focus for donation development beginning immediately in West Los Angeles County, including coastal communities from Marina Del Rey to Malibu, and will expand his duties to cover Eastern Los Angeles County. In his new role, McGray will build and manage a development team to increase DRN’s overall deconstruction project volumes in the county.

As McGray transitions to his new service areas, he will continue to serve the South Bay community as area manager, a community he believes has tremendous room for growth and to which he remains very committed.

“The potential for diversion and reuse here is staggering and thanks to Myles, we have developed a solid foundation for growth,” says Schilling. “Now we just need to connect the dots. We believe that under his direction and with his persistence our organization will be more successful in Los Angeles and extremely beneficial for the Southern California community.”

“While we’ve managed to keep literally tons of material ‘in the loop’ and out of the landfill, there’s still an enormous volume of material being unnecessarily wasted out there,” says McGray. “I am thrilled to be able to help DRN have an even greater impact on the local community and beyond. Our work has not only tangible environmental, economic and social benefits, but also the potential to influence and inspire others to ‘fight the good fight’.”

DRN is a California-based environmental and humanitarian non-profit specializing in disassembling, or “deconstructing” structures and facilitating the reuse of building and surplus materials for charitable purposes. DRN begins the process by identifying and inventorying all reusable (and donation-worthy) items throughout the home. Next, the deconstruction contractor for DRN's Deconstruction Solution Program carefully dismantles the interior of the home and organizes all salvageable materials under DRN’s direction. DRN always pursues reuse for salvaged items as they are, rather than recycling them, because it uses less energy and reduces the long-term environmental impact.

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. Proud member of Build it Green; International Facility Management Association and California Resource Recovery Association. Deconstruction & ReUse Network currently serves Northern and Southern California with partnerships that benefit Habitat for Humanity and Corazon. www.Decon-Network.org Blog: http://recycleyourhouse.blogspot.com
# # #

Media contacts:
Lorenz Schilling
DRN
T: 562-307-6062
Lorenz@reusenetwork.org

Angela Moore
Starfish P.R.
T: 310-429-8868
angela@starfish-pr.com

September 29, 2010

Download the Press Release

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

# # #

Download Release

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

November 10, 2009

Deconstruction & ReUse Network Maximizes Environmental Savings for Homeowner Under City's New Green Building Program

Los Angeles, CA – May 27, 2009: As the first fully compliant single family residential project to meet the standards of Beverly Hills’ new Green Building Program, owners Steve Dubin and Brenda Ellerin have started this project by deconstructing their existing home with the help of the environmental and humanitarian non-profit Deconstruction & ReUseNetwork (DRN). For the next several weeks deconstruction crews will carefully dismantle the home, saving all the reusable building materials. DRN will, in-turn, distribute and donate the materials to other complimentary organizations like Habitat for Humanity’s Home Improvement Store and the housing ministry Corazon, a community development and home building organization operating in northern Baja. DRN estimates close to 200 tons, or as much as 85% of the home will be reused or recycled. This would be the equivalent of approximately 50 roll-off bins.

“The first step in building green should be deconstruction,” says Lorenz Schilling, founder of DRN. “In the past, ironically, removing the materials in the existing structure has been the last thing property owners think about, even though it’s the first thing they must do. We’re working hard to educate and empower property owners, industry professionals, and city officials across the state that planning for deconstruction can save valuable physical and financial resources for all involved.”

Mr. Dubin and Ms. Ellerin’s home was originally built in 1948 and has many valuable, re-useable materials. DRN first inventories the entire home and identifies the materials to be saved. Next, items such as appliances, windows, doors, cabinetry, flooring, plumbing and lighting fixtures, etc., are removed and taken to a partner Habitat for Humanity affiliate ReStore. The items from this project will be available for purchase at the Gardena Home Improvement Store over the next several weeks. The next phase of the project will be dismantling the home’s roofing components and framing; carefully removing lumber, roof tiles and brick. Once all the lumber has been inventoried for donation and diversion documentation, it will be shipped to Corazon ministries in Tijuana to be re-used in the building of affordable homes, instead of being turned into mulch or burned for fuel.

Architect Marc Whipple of Russell Group Architects was a driving force behind the project’s sustainable emphasis, which was fast-tracked by the City of Beverly Hills Building & Safety; an incentive the City offers to encourage more green building within its boundaries. “Sustainable residential design is a new emphasis for our group, as it is for many architects these days. But it’s really been a team effort,” said Whipple. “The folks at the city have really worked with us to make this project happen in a timely manner and encourage this model project.”

General contractor Joe Griffith says, "In the past, there was very little thought given to reusing elements from a structure to be demolished other then saving some of the large pieces of framing lumber. The demo process was plainly 'out with the old, in with the new.' We would even have a pre demo day where the owners and their kids could go wild spray painting walls, breaking windows, just tearing the place up before the heavy equipment rolled through. It’s good to see we’re all starting to be more productive with the reusable assets in unwanted buildings. Instead of using a portable bathroom that contains a ton of chemicals, we’re building a small latrine, connecting an existing toilet to the sewer line, all in an effort to be more eco-friendly. I’m very excited to be putting this project together in a sustainable way from start to finish.”

Owner Dubin said, “The existing house had a lot of high quality, beautiful features and finishes. While we have a different vision for the property, we wanted to preserve as much of the house as possible. Deconstructing the house and donating the materials, while more expensive and time-consuming, seemed to be the logical move. Our goal is help get the word out that this is an easy process. When I tell people what we’re doing, they all say the same thing: ‘I wish we would have done that when we tore our house down’.”

Deconstruction & ReUse Network works with deconstruction contractors, architects and municipalities to develop simple solutions for homeowners to deconstruct as an alternative to traditional demolition. A typical 2,500 square-foot home yields 10 tons of reusable lumber that can be used to build homes for families in need, rather than end up in landfills or as mulch. The organization works with other complimentary non-profits that help complete its circle of reuse, and help families build or improve their homes. It also provides all necessary documentation for property owner tax-deductions stemming from the donation of a building’s reusable parts. For more information about how deconstruction works please visit www.Decon-Network.org

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

Download Release

Recycling Beverly Hills Home Will Help Low-Income Families, Environment & Community

January 21, 2009

DECONSTRUCTION NETWORK TO PROMOTE BUILDING MATERIALS REUSE AT GO GREEN EXPO IN LOS ANGELES - JANUARY 23 TO 25

Go Green Alert

July 7, 2008

LA Chronicle Press Release

July 7, 2008

Santa Monica Daily Press

May 1, 2008

Save money and prevent waste by reusing and recycling common job site materials

May 2008 LowesforPros.pdf