You may find it hard to believe, but you can recycle almost everything that comes out of your home during a remodel. It is true! With the right planning & preparation, you can practically skip ordering a dumpster. (And that is a good thing! Currently 136 million tons of waste is transported to landfills from renovation projects a year.)

Plastic, glass, cabinetry, batteries, doors, trim, sinks, tubs, & much more can all be recycled. Just think deconstruction, not demolition. That way you can keep everything in good working order. And before tearing things apart, try to arrange a new home for the item. Perhaps you can repurpose it back in your renovated space, but if not, check with the following companies to see if they will accept your donations.

Habitat for Humanity.
In addition to providing housing for needy families, Habitat for Humanity also owns retail outlets called Habitat Restores. The stores sell used & surplus building materials donated by supply stores, contractors, demolition crews, & individual homeowners. Call your local Restore to see if they will take your used materials.

Gifts in Kind International.
Gifts In Kind is the 12th largest charity in the United States, & it also will accept your product donations to redistribute to needy individuals. Click their "Donate Products" link to see how you can help.

Local Charities & Second-Hand Stores.
These independent salvage yards are popping up all over the place, and because they do not operate to fill the needs of a certain consumer, they accept a wider variety of building materials. Check your phonebook to find one in your area.

So what do you get out of this? Besides feeling the joy of diverting waste from landfills, you also help those less fortunate than yourself. On top of that, you receive a tax deduction equal to the price for which the items are sold. So be sure to keep your receipts!

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