Favorite Memories from 2011

We asked the DRN team to share some of their favorite moments from the past year and here are a couple.

"My favorite moment was seeing firsthand the fabulous structures built with the used lumber we gifted to Corazon; room additions to a clinic." Paula Wise.

"One of my highlights was a potluck at the Habitat for Humanity ReStore in Gardena that I happened into a couple of weeks back.  While dropping off a furnace from one of our Brentwood projects (I suppose that was my contribution to the potluck!) I was invited to sit down and enjoy some great homemade dishes with the folks at Habitat.  It was great to look out over the many items from our projects dispersed across the ReStore’s floor and know that our efforts help support this important organization and its many fine people." Myles McGray

Wishing everyone a Happy, Healthy and RePurposeful New Year!

Riding Green Helps Los Angeles Bar Goers Reduce Their Carbon Footprint

Please visit our NEW WEBSITES:

Decon-Network.org

ReuseNetwork.org

Photo Credit: Riding Green

Heading out to a the bar in Los Angeles? Why not reduce your carbon footprint while you’re at it? Riding Green is a newer grassroots environmental movement in Los Angeles that has come up with a way for bar goers to not only reduce their carbon footprint, but their bar tab, as well! The organization has teamed up with various establishments throughout the city that will feature different promotions for bar goers participating in the Riding Green movement. The goal of Riding Green is to encourage people to take public transportation which reduces our carbon footprint. As the organization grows, they hope to expand partnerships and bring awareness to the environment. You can visit Riding Green’s website to learn more and find out how you can get involved.

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Green Holiday Gift Guide 2011
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Green Gift Guide 2011

Green Holiday Gift Guide 2011

Can you believe the Holidays are here already? As the fun and celebrations begin, it is important to remember that this time of year is often the most wasteful and from Thanksgiving to New Years Day, household waste increases by more than 25% (RecycleWorks)! One thing that can make a small difference is to select gifts that have been created by ReUsed or UpCycled materials. Below is a list of some neat gifts that are not only friendly on our environment, but also easy on your wallet.

Record Label Holiday Ornaments

These are perfect for any music lover in your life. They are laser cut from vintage 45 rpm records and each side of them features the original record label. What’s even cooler is the fact that these are made with zero waste! You can order them online at eco-artware.com.

Photo Credit: eco-artware

Silver Flatware Bracelets

These bracelets are not only charming, they also help keep old silver flatware out of our landfills! Each bracelet is made from reclaimed silver plate flatware pieces that are between 50 and 100 years old and it is a great gift for any person who loves jewelry. You can order them online from Tempest in a Teapot.

Photo Credit: Tempest in a Teapot

Recycled Bike Tube Night Out Card Case

Who wouldn’t enjoy a card case that is handmade in Seattle from used inner tubes collected from local bike shops? This card case features 86% recycled content and would be an excellent idea for that hard to buy for person on your gift list. It is perfect for someone who prefers a smaller wallet or for someone who would rather use a card case for nights out. You can purchase the card case at uncommongoods.

Photo Credit: uncommongoods

STARBUCKS Upcycled Gift Card Notebook Notepad

When it comes to the Holiday season, gift cards are always a gift of choice for many people. The problem with gift cards, however, is the fact that many end up getting tossed once they’ve been used. CampfireDesigns has an Etsy store that upcycles old STARBUCKS gift cards and turns them into cute little notepads. These would be awesome gifts for just about anyone! They would also make great stocking stuffers! You can buy them on CampfireDesigns Etsy store.

Photo Credit: CampfireDesigns

Upcycled Wetsuit iPad Sleeve

For the iPad owner on your list, what could be better than a sleeve to protect their iPad that was created from excess wetsuit material? Not only does this sleeve help eliminate wetsuit material from being discarded, it also does an excellent job keeping an iPad free from scratches and the lumps and bumps that sometimes occur. If your gift recipient doesn’t have an iPad, you can purchase an upcycled laptop case instead! The wetsuit sleeves can be purchased from uncommongoods.

Photo Credit: uncommongoods

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Last Minute Green Gift Ideas (2010)

5 Ways to ReUse Bubble Wrap

ReUse with ReWine

Rebound Books ReUses Old Books and Recreates New Stationary

Please visit our NEW WEBSITES:

Decon-Network.org

ReuseNetwork.org

Unwanted and unloved books are given a second chance with Rebound Books.  Rebound Books is an Australian company that has taken the initiative to keep old books out of the landfill and ReUse them to create "unique stationary in an environmentally way".  The company also ReUses old record covers and transforms them into new calendars.  Each piece of stationary that Rebound recreates also includes 100% recycled Australian paper.  They try to use every part of the original book, but whatever they can't use, gets donated to local artists in their community.

Rebound Books has a great online bookshop where they sell their journals, sketchbooks, photo albums, A-Z books, and other stationary items that have all been recreated through ReUse!  Each of their creations is also made by hand and truly unique!

Photo Credit: ReboundBooks.net

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Before you Recycle, Consider ReUse First
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Donating Your Whole House: Is it Too Good to be True?

Please visit our NEW WEBSITES:

Decon-Network.org

ReuseNetwork.org

Posted by Nicole Tai, N. California Development Director for DRN:

Lately, we've been encountering property owners who are not doing all their homework when it comes to their selection of appraisers and deconstruction contractors. Many think our organization adds an extra layer into the mix, but in fact we are providing you a GUARANTEED donation. Only a few other organizations can say that in California. I love making deconstruction happen, but our industry needs to maintain certain standards to remain effective and true to the goals of reuse. In this blog post, I outline the differences between non-profit and for-profit contractors and appraisers. As you read on, keep in mind the old saying, "If it is too good to be true, it usually is" because it is perfectly applicable to this industry.

The 2004 Non-profit Integrity Act requires for-profits to register as fundraisers for non-profits, and this means that if a company is offering a tax deduction for deconstruction, it needs to have a written agreement with a non-profit. Unfortunately, most of the outfits in the San Francisco Bay Area are not in compliance with this act and are not registered. They are operating independent of the non-profits they are soliciting donations for, many of which aren't even aware of these "deconstruction contractors" and appraisers. These companies may not see it as a fraudulent act, but in reality they are no different from used car dealers who "solicit" car donations from unsuspecting donors.

At Deconstruction & ReUse Network (DRN), we may seem "picky" because we are maximizing reuse potential through local and legitimate markets. We work with both for-profit and non-profit reuse groups to ensure that materials are either reused in projects, or resold to the general public -both of which keep valuable items out of the landfill. We make sure that materials are removed well to insure that they actually will and can be reused.

We aren't going to tell you we can reuse that 1960's furnace when in reality it will be recycled for the copper and metals. It is important to note that recycling does not constitute a donation. Why not? Without getting into boring details, recycled materials only yield a fraction of the value when compared to reusable items. In the deconstruction industry, contractors will generally calculate the value of recyclable metals to help offset their cost to the client and this number is NOT factored into the donation.

If you are planning a home demolition and are approached by a for-profit Deconstruction Contractor or Appraiser for a house donation, we encourage you to do your due diligence by asking the following questions:

• Does the non-profit your materials will be donated to actually exist?
•  Is the non-profit’s mission relevant to reusing building materials?
• Ask to see a copy of the agreement with the non-profit, or their filing with the state attorney general as a fundraiser.
• Will someone from the non-profit be on site (required) to conduct the inventory, as well as provide you with both a copy of that inventory and documentation of the process?

Failure to acknowledge these important issues may result in you forfeiting the fair market value of your donation to resale value. The worst-case scenario is an IRS audit FOR YOU.

Alternatively, you can choose to go with tried and true, reputable organizations like us - Deconstruction and Reuse Network. If you have more questions on this topic, feel free to comment below or email me, and I would be more than happy to answer them.

Related Posts:

If Huge Tax Breaks for Your Donation Sounds Too Good To Be True - It Is

Ross Homeowners Choose Deconstruction

Recycling Homes Should be a Matter of Conscience Not Stimulus Money

ReUse with Re-Wine!

ReUse is so important to us at DRN and when we come across neat products that incorporate ReUse, we definitely like to bring attention to them.  There is a clever new product that just came out called Re-Wine, which is designed to keep waste out of our landfills and ReUses wine bottles in innovative ways.  According to Re-Wine's website, the wine cases are made of "100% Recycled Materials" that consist of rice farming by-products and post-consumer thermoplastics that are combined together to form a new material called Polliber.

Re-Wine's wine bottle cases have many uses, including a non-breakable wine carrier, an energy efficient lamp, and customizable furniture.  The energy efficient lamp is so cool because you can use it on top of a desk or you can turn it into a stand alone chandelier.  The wine carrier option would make a great gift, while the customizable furniture gives limitless possibilities and is like a building block set for adults! 

Photo Credits: MINIWIZ Sustainable Energy Development LTD

When it Comes to Home Demolition & Remodeling, Why Not Choose To ReUse?

Please visit our NEW WEBSITES:

Decon-Network.org

ReuseNetwork.org

At DRN, we often come across articles that discuss where materials end up once a house or building is demolished.  More often than not, those materials end up in our landfills and never get any chance at a second life.  Last week, Forbes came out with an article that discusses how many materials could be recycled from demolition sites and suggests that recycling may be the best option for bettering our environment.  There is no doubt that recycling is extremely important and should be utilized when necessary, but I ask, “What about ReUse?”  ReUsing materials from demolition sites can have astounding results that not only keep our landfills less jammed, but also creates more jobs than recycling. 

Here is an example of the jobs created:

If you take 10,000 tons of materials and:

• Incinerate it = 1 job
• Landfill it = 6 jobs
• Recycle it = 36 jobs
• Reuse it= 28-296 jobs 

Sources: US EPA, and Institute of Local Self Reliance

When I brought up this topic with our team we discussed how more knowledge of ReUse is greatly needed. DRN team member, Paula Wise, posted this comment on the article:

“Recycling is great, but I hope this Forbes series will discuss reuse. As a nation, we have done a really good job getting people to recycle. Now it's time to take it to the next level and increase reuse awareness. There is a reason the phrase is ‘reduce, reuse, recycle’. So many items can be reused in their original state. It's a shame to see these items ground up and recycled and not be reused.”

I feel more people need to know why ReUse is an excellent option for building materials that would otherwise end up in the landfill.  It is estimated that 34,000,000,000 tons of construction waste end up in our landfills and that is scary!  If more people looked into deconstruction, where materials would be ReUsed, that number would be so much less.  For instance, deconstructing one 2,500 sq. ft. ranch style home can divert 25 tons of construction waste.  Could you imagine if more people got on board with choosing deconstruction over demolition and ReUse over recycling?  

Related Post:

Could One Man's Trash be Another Mans House?

From Skateboards to Sunglasses: Innovative ReUse

Why Deconstruction Will Not Only Improve the Enviroment but Also Lives

Talking ReUse with ReStore Partner Dave McKechnie

Guest Blogger: Dave McKechnie of Habitat for Humanity of Greater Los Angeles ReStores

Working for Habitat for Humanity has its advantages.

When you first tell someone that you work for Habitat for Humanity, they smile. It’s one of the only jobs I’ve ever had where people say “what a great job that must be” or “that must be an incredible place to work.”

Normally they have a general idea of what we do here at Habitat in regards to the homebuilding and volunteer side of our business, but when we tell them the particulars about our ReStores we always get the same two responses.

1. What a great idea, I didn’t know Habitat for Humanity had stores!
2. Where are they and where do you get donations?

Habitat for Humanity Greater Los Angeles operates two ReStores here in the Los Angeles area. They are “Home Improvement Thrift Stores” that sell new and gently used home improvement items; items such as Furniture, Windows, Doors, Appliances, Light Fixtures, Sinks, Vanities, Tile, Flooring, Carpet, House wares and Home Décor items and much, much more.

Inevitably the 3rd question is “So where do you get all of the items that you sell? The short answer is “it’s donated.” The whole answer is a little more complex than what you might think. We get donations from all kinds of donors. Individuals remodeling their homes; businesses that are moving, downsizing, or just cleaning out old space; and we get a great deal of material from deconstruction. Here at Habitat for Humanity Greater Los Angeles we have partnered with Deconstruction & Reuse Network (DRN) to assist us in the world of deconstruction.

Even in this tougher economy there are still building projects going on. In many instances in order to build something new, something old has to be removed. The conventional thought used to be, just tear it down and throw it away…but what a waste of perfectly good stuff!!! So somewhere along the line someone got the brilliant idea of taking those buildings apart and reusing the materials again. The deconstruction process is just exactly what it sounds like. Any structure can be deconstructed and so many of the materials can be reused.

DRN is Habitat for Humanity of Greater Los Angeles’ number one partner-supplier of deconstructed material. DRN has contributed more than a million pounds of donated material to us, which in turn has been sold to our consumers, which helps to fund all of our programs here at Habitat for Humanity.

Related Posts:
Several Eras of Treasures to get New Life through ReUse
Recycled Rolling Hills Home will help Build Nearly 6 Affordable Homes
Before you Recycle Anything, Consider if it can be ReUsed First

Reuse Meets Design

On Wednesday, July 13 I had the opportunity to participate in a local reuse panel discussion, part of the Architect and Designer Luncheon series at LA gallery The Loft at Liz’s.  The panel included our hostess Liz Gordon, designer Lori Dennis, featured artists June Diamond and Aaron Kramer, and myself.

Lori highlighted examples of incorporating ReUse into her interior design work (e.g. furniture and architectural pieces), while Aaron and June discussed and showed their respective works made from reused materials (wood scraps, milk jugs and corks in Aaron's case, cut pieces of wine bottle and other glass in June’s).  The art was impressive, and part of the “Diverted Destruction” exhibition that runs through September 6^th at The Loft.  The audience, composed primarily of interior designers, architects, and landscape architects, was notably interested in and receptive to the topic.  The conversation quickly took on a lively tone as we brainstormed approaches to further reuse and overcome obstacles that may stand in the way.  Liz provided a fine spread that included veggies from her home garden.

Beneath us was Liz’s Antique Hardware, where an extraordinary collection of vintage hardware and fixtures can be found.  Arranged according to eras/styles (e.g. art deco, mid-century, Victorian, etc.) were seemingly endless handles, locks, light fixtures, sinks, towel bars, and more.  We come across some pretty unique fixtures in our deconstruction projects that I can see fitting in perfectly here.  Liz and her crew have an obvious reverence for the historical significance of this material and are doing their part to keep some great stuff “in the loop.”

Thanks again to Liz for helping the community to recognize the importance of reuse in design through this inspiring event.

From Skateboards to Sunglasses: Innovative ReUse

In recent years, we have come across some really unique ways people have ReUsed skateboards and turned them into other things.  Just when we thought we have seen it all, we came across this blog that shows us how two brothers have taken old skateboards and turned them into stylish sunglasses! 

If you visit Baptiste and Gianni Vuerich’s Facebook page, you can like them and view their awesome ReUse creations!

Related Posts:
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7 Ways to ReUse Wine Bottles
5 Ways to ReUse Bubble Wrap

Palos Verdes Estates Home Deconstruction

We shot a video this morning from a home in Palos Verdes Estates, CA where Myles McGray has been managing a deconstruction and reuse project.  Myles explains the project and donated materials in this short video.




Related Posts:
Manhattan Beach Raises C&D Diversion Rates to to 65%
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Manhattan Beach Remodel Means Gorgeous Items for ReUse

Good TED talk from Dan Phillips: "Creative houses from reclaimed stuff"

Designer/Builder Dan Phillips appeals to our Dionysian side in this enlightening and entertaining TED talk on the houses he's built using reclaimed building materials of all kinds.

The link

You can find more info on Dan and his company, the Phoenix Commotion, here.

Creative ReUse Idea: Water Bottle Tops to Seal Bags

Posted by Lyndsy Czapla:

Tired of using twisty-ties and rubber-bands to keep your bags closed and not keeping them air-tight?  What about keeping them waterproof?  As much as we try to stay away from plastic water bottles, they are still everywhere and we are seeing some very creative ReUse ideas that can give them a much longer life.  Recently we came across the idea to use the tops of water bottles to seal bags that actually works wonderfully and super easy.  Since it seems that grocery prices are skyrocketing, who wouldn’t want to keep their food fresh and longer lasting?

 Here is how to do it:

• Cut up a disposable water bottle and keep the neck and top, as in the photo.
• Insert the plastic bag through the neck and screw the top to seal.
• The bag is made to be air-tight, such that water will not leak, the secret lies with the top and screw cap! 

Related Posts:

Charitable ReUse Solutions for Surplus Property, Tell a Friend

ReUsing Ceramic Dishes

7 Ways to ReUse Wine Bottles

Charitable ReUse Solutions for Surplus Property, Tell a Friend!

June is the time of year when government budgets reset. Many projects are executed during the summer months. These projects might have surplus property that could be sent to landfill if not given a chance for a second life.

We are asking for your help in addressing this now, so we can help provide charitable reuse solutions for those who need it.  Most people want to do the right thing and we are here to help.

• Do you know someone works in local government? 
• Do you know someone who provides a service or sells a product to someone in local government who can refer us? 
• Do you know any contractors that work on schools, municipalities, universities, etc? Now is the time to reach out to them.

We have representatives throughout California who are available to articulate our charitable reuse solutions and the humanitarian benefits associated with it.  Please let us know how we can help you help your community.

We hope you'll tell a friend about DRN's Charitable ReUse solutions.  Thank you.

Could One Man’s Trash be Another Man’s House?

Posted by Lyndsy Czapla:

Of course it could!  At Deconstruction & ReUse Network, we truly enjoy seeing how reclaimed building materials and items some people may refer to as “junk” can be transformed and ReUsed.  National Geographic has an excellent documentary that illustrates the ScrapHouse project in San Francisco.  ScrapHouse was created as a challenge to construct a house using only scrap and salvaged materials.  The entire project involved really thinking outside the norm when it comes to salvaged building materials and “junk” that would otherwise end up in our landfills.  According to the documentary, 24 million new homes are built each year and 200,000 buildings are torn down.  That is pretty alarming, especially knowing that a majority of the materials left from demolition don’t get ReUsed or any second chance.  It is our hope at DRN that one day the method of careful dismantling and reclaiming of a structure's reusable, finished materials and rough lumber will not be out of the norm, rather second nature in the building and construction world.

Here's the documentary:

What Could you do with a 330 sq ft Apartment?

Posted by Lyndsy Czapla:

The thought of living in an apartment that is only 330 sq ft probably doesn’t appeal to most people, especially when the motto “bigger is better” is coined more often than not.  For architect Gary Chang, however, an apartment that small has the possibility to become not one, but twenty-four different rooms and be an enjoyable place to live.   Chang’s vision is not only inspiring, but also an excellent example of how innovative design can be ultra-functional and eco-friendly… all within 330 sq ft!  Check out the full article here.

ReUsing Ceramic Dishes

Posted by Lyndsy Czapla:

Did you know that ceramic dishes have some great ways they could be ReUsed and can be kept out of the landfill, even if they are broken?  Below are some fun ReUse ideas….

ReUse for broken dishes:


1. Place them at the bottom of flowerpots to create better water drainage.
2. Turn broken pieces into a mosaic that is sure to be unique and fabulous.
3. Glue pieces to picture frames or other flowerpots to spruce them up.
4.   If they are not sharp, write on them and turn them into plant markers or dinner place cards.

ReUse for non-broken dishes:
1. Use cups or bowls as flowerpots.
2. Organize toiletries such as cotton swabs, band-aids, and cotton balls in the bathroom
3. Keep jewelry sorted and kept together. 
4. Hang plates on a wall to add some flair to your decor. (Many websites show you how to do this!)
5.  If you have no other uses, donate them!  Someone else may find other ReUse ideas for them!


Do you have more uses for old dishes?  Please share them here in the comments.


Related Posts:
Clever Reuse: Placemats
7 Ways to Reuse Wine Bottles
Garbage City

Manhattan Beach raises C&D diversion rates to 65%

Effective January 1, 2011, all residential demolition projects (and new builds valued at over $100k) in Manhattan Beach must divert a minimum of 65% of "waste" from landfill through reuse and/or recycling.  By making mandatory what 2010 California Green Building Standards Code ("Calgreen") considers a Tier 1 voluntary measure, Manhattan Beach reinforces its reputation as a leader in municipal environmental policy. 

DRN certainly appreciates this progressive action taken by Manhattan Beach, which will translate into literally thousands of tons of material saved from unnecessary landfill disposal.  We also took notice of their effort to differentiate between direct reuse and recycling on the updated Waste Management Plan, an important step if the environmental, economic, and social benefits of the former are to be fully recognized.

A deconstruction solution can help your project achieve (and likely surpass) the mandatory 65% diversion rate and our detailed documentation will satisfy Waste Management Plan requirements.  For more info, check out our website or just give us a call at: 888-545-8333.

Clever ReUse: ReMakes Placemats

Posted by Lyndsy Czapla:

Do you ever wonder what happens to billboards once they are taken down? I was quite curious to see if any companies were doing anything with them after seeing different billboards along the freeway constantly being torn down and replaced with new ones. It is frustrating knowing that many are probably just discarded into our landfills and not being used ever again. However, I did a little searching on the Internet and I came across the company, ReMakes, that is ReUsing billboards and turning them into cool placemats. According to their website, ReMakes™ eco-friendly placemats are made from reclaimed billboards and movie posters. Each one-of-a-kind set of four placemats is randomly cut and selected from the same poster. Who wouldn’t love to have some clever and unique placemats to spice up their table? Since placemats are the easiest way to change your table up and don’t cost much at all, I say check these out! They also have a neat video about their story:



Related Posts:
From Old Circuit Boards to Incredible Sculptures
Reuse Plastic Bread Bags
5 Ways to Reuse Bubble Wrap

From Old Circuit Boards to Incredible Sculptures

Posted by Lyndsy Czapla:

Who would of thought that an old circuit board could be ReUsed and made into a sculpture of shoes?  I surely didn’t!  I came across this blog that showcases the work of Steven Rodrig, an artist who is making an extraordinary effort to keep old circuit boards out of landfills where they could remain for a few thousand years and dangerously impact our environment.  It is really neat seeing the creativity people have and their ability to ReUse items that generally get discarded!   

Related Posts:

7 Ways to Reuse Wine Bottles

How to Reuse Plastic Bread Bags

How To Recycle Random Things in your Home

7 Ways to ReUse Your Wine Bottles

Posted by Lyndsy Czapla, DRN Orange County:

One of my favorite things to do is to keep an eye out for different ways to ReUse items I have around the house.  A few weeks ago, I found some awesome ideas about bread bags and it made me think about other things I typically recycle.  Wine bottles are a perfect example.   

Although there is nothing wrong with recycling them, I thought it would be neat if I could find some easy and unique ideas to ReUse them.  One of my go-to websites, Mother Nature Network (MNN), just posted a great blog giving some neat DIY ideas for ReUsing wine bottles.  Check them out here.

Related posts:

5 Ways to Reuse Bubble Wrap

Before you Recycle, Consider Reuse

Recycle Random Household Items

 

Generation Green: Reduce, Reuse & Rejoice

Our team has grown so much since we started this organization back in 2007 in my living room. We now have amazing reps all over California whose passion for our mission has helped us expand tremendously.  We owe all our success to the hard work of our team. 

Brooklyn and Mason

In the past few months, however, we’ve had 3 new additions to the DRN family and while they have not yet generated any leads for us, they have certainly stolen our hearts.

Harrison James

Welcome Brooklyn and Mason Long and Harrison James Tai…our newest DRN team members in the Bay Area!

DRN, helping change the future one child at a time.








Read more posts:
Deconstruction Should be a Matter of Conscience not Stimulus Money
What is Roll-off?
Why Deconstruction will not only Benefit the Environment...

Have plastic bread bags? Don’t Toss ‘em… Reuse ‘em!

Posted by Lyndsy Czapla, Deconstruction Consultant, Orange County:

At DRN, we are always on the lookout for great ways to ReUse everyday household items.  I recently came across this blog that has some fantastic ways to ReUse bread bags!  Did you know that they could be ReUsed to decorate a cake or protect shoes while travelling?  Check out other great ReUse ideas here.

Kathy Faller Joins the DRN Team in San Diego

We are pleased to welcome Kathy Faller to our team, serving San Diego County! 

Kathy first found out about us while building with Corazon in Baja, where she was putting our salvaged lumber to work for the families down there.  Now she's on our team and we couldn't be happier!

Read the press release here>>




Related Posts:
Lorenz Schilling Joins Board of Directors for Reuse Alliance
Charitable Reuse Down in Baja
DRN Welcomes New Advocates in San Diego and Palm Springs

5 Ways to ReUse Bubble Wrap

Posted by Lyndsy Czapla


As much as I don't use bubble wrap anymore, I am always stuck with some after the holidays. Being almost 2,000 miles away from my Grandparents, it is almost inevitable that the annual box of gifts they send for Christmas is full of the pesky plastic stuff! Don't get me wrong, I get so excited to open the boxes they send, but I really don't like the bubble wrap contained in them. For the past few years, I have tried to ReUse the bubble wrap any which way I can. Here are some ideas you could try if you end up with extra bubble wrap:

Fridge Drawer Liner
Just line bubble wrap inside your drawers in your refrigerator to prevent fruits and vegetables from bruising.

Window Insulation
Tape pieces of bubble wrap to the inside of windows and it really helps keep the cold air out. When I had really old windows in my house, I did this and it actually helped. Some people even do this inside their greenhouses, too.

Bath Pillow
If the bubble wrap is not popped yet, you can roll it up and use it in the bath tub to support the back of your head.

Picnic Basket Insulation
Place the bubble wrap around cold items to keep them cold so you won't have to lug around a cooler, too. This also works great with the beverages you bring along on the picnic.

Bubble Wrap Painting
If you are painting and looking for a neat finish, you can place paint on the bubble wrap and press it up against your project. It really creates a cool look!

Check out related posts:
Last Minute Green Gift Guide
Before You Recycle Anything Consider if it Can be ReUsed FIRST
Deconstruction Creates Fabulous Furniture

Why Deconstruction will not only Improve the Environment but also Lives

I came across a great article today about deconstruction that really highlights how this shift in building will not only improve the environment and help others, it will create jobs.  I hope traditional contractors are recognizing what the future holds in this industry and that more will jump on board deconstruction sooner rather than later. (Source: The Tyee in British Columbia)

To read the article go here. I am sharing the time lapsed video featured below.

If you're a California contractor interested in learning more about our organization, please contact me.

Check out more videos about Deconstruction:
Manhattan Beach Remodel
Interview with DRN Founder at West Coast Green
Using Legos to Learn about Deconstruction