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.

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Thinking Outside the Dumpster

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.

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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