Volunteers salvage reusable materials from deconstruction; about 80% went to ReStores
April 27, 2025 | NRCS Programs, NRCS Water Issues, USDA -NRCS, USDA, Executive, Federal
This article was created by AI summarizing key points discussed. AI makes mistakes, so for full details and context, please refer to the video of the full meeting. Please report any errors so we can fix them. Report an error »
Volunteers who took part in a recent deconstruction project said they recovered large amounts of reusable building materials and donated roughly 80% of what they removed to ReStores for resale or reuse.
A volunteer identified only as Steve described the effort as the group’s “first salvaging project or deconstruction project,” saying it yielded many re-usable items that “help us save money, helps save costs, helps save time, and it brings more, volunteers.” He said the work also attracts volunteers who might prefer deconstruction to building work and that some organizations bring staff to the site as “team building” exercises.
Steve listed the types of items the crew removed for reuse: light fixtures, doors and door sills, toilets, sinks, vanities, chandeliers, windows, boilers and water heaters. He said about 80% of the materials removed were taken to ReStores, which he described as nonprofit resale outlets that clean and resell donated building materials. “You'd be surprised the amount of people who will go to Restores to find little odds and ends that they can't find any place else,” he said.
Steve gave a specific example to illustrate why salvage can extend product life: he said a water heater that is two years old “you can probably get 6, 7 more years out of it.” He said the group prioritized removing anything that looked reusable and that Restores sometimes pick up donations depending on the item.
A representative of a conservation organization who spoke during the same discussion said the project was “really close to my heart,” noting the group had been helping flood survivors and welcomed the opportunity to preserve and reuse materials. “To have them be able to be used to the greatest capacity possible and have you come in with your volunteer crew...it warmed my heart,” the conservation organization representative said.
Speakers described the project as an enlightening experience that taught volunteers who were used to building how to deconstruct. At the close of the discussion, the conservation organization representative and Steve exchanged thanks and said they planned to work together again.
No formal votes or policy actions on the project were recorded in the transcript.
A volunteer identified only as Steve described the effort as the group’s “first salvaging project or deconstruction project,” saying it yielded many re-usable items that “help us save money, helps save costs, helps save time, and it brings more, volunteers.” He said the work also attracts volunteers who might prefer deconstruction to building work and that some organizations bring staff to the site as “team building” exercises.
Steve listed the types of items the crew removed for reuse: light fixtures, doors and door sills, toilets, sinks, vanities, chandeliers, windows, boilers and water heaters. He said about 80% of the materials removed were taken to ReStores, which he described as nonprofit resale outlets that clean and resell donated building materials. “You'd be surprised the amount of people who will go to Restores to find little odds and ends that they can't find any place else,” he said.
Steve gave a specific example to illustrate why salvage can extend product life: he said a water heater that is two years old “you can probably get 6, 7 more years out of it.” He said the group prioritized removing anything that looked reusable and that Restores sometimes pick up donations depending on the item.
A representative of a conservation organization who spoke during the same discussion said the project was “really close to my heart,” noting the group had been helping flood survivors and welcomed the opportunity to preserve and reuse materials. “To have them be able to be used to the greatest capacity possible and have you come in with your volunteer crew...it warmed my heart,” the conservation organization representative said.
Speakers described the project as an enlightening experience that taught volunteers who were used to building how to deconstruct. At the close of the discussion, the conservation organization representative and Steve exchanged thanks and said they planned to work together again.
No formal votes or policy actions on the project were recorded in the transcript.
View full meeting
This article is based on a recent meeting—watch the full video and explore the complete transcript for deeper insights into the discussion.
View full meeting