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.

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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:
Creative Reuse: Water Bottle Tops
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%
Charitable ReUse in Action in Baja 
Manhattan Beach Remodel Means Gorgeous Items for ReUse