New Center for Recycled Building Materials in LA

Photo: www.TheReUsePeople.com

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With a $50,000 grant from the EPA, the Reuse People of America has just opened a building materials reuse retail warehouse in Los Angeles. The Bay Area-based nonprofit expects to divert and reuse 1,500 tons of demolition materials during the first two years of operation.

Reuse People of America employs deconstruction crews to disassemble unwanted homes and buildings, mostly with hand tools. Anything reusable can than be redistributed, and is priced at substantial savings.

"By reusing 30 tons of building materials from just one home, you can reduce greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to taking 5 cars off the road for a year" says Wayne Nastri, the EPA's administrator for the Pacific Southwest. "From home remodeling to major demolition, each of us has an opportunity to reduce our climate change impact by reusing and recycling building materials."

Over all, more than 160 million tons of building materials are tossed into U.S. landfills each year. That's a colossal waste, considering that so much of it can be readily reused, saving lumber, energy, space and money.

LA's new distribution center is an exciting example of the many benefits that can derive from smart planning. Homeowners have access to cheaper materials, resources are conserved and jobs are created.

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