What do I do with…?

Building Materials

What building materials are wasted? It is typical for any reusable, recyclable, or compostable materials generated from remodels, renovations, or any kind of home improvement projects to end up in the landfills.

Why is it a problem? Oftentimes discarded building materials are still usable, represent significant amounts of embodied energy, and likely will be replaced with new products sourced from natural resources. Construction & Demolition debris, of which building materials are a subset, account for more than twice the amount of generated municipal solid waste in the U.S., 90 percent of which originates from remodels and renovations.

Examples: cabinets, carpet, doors, flooring, lighting fixtures, lumber, plumbing fixtures, tile, windows, etc.

Home ReSource and the City of Missoula have recently updated the Deconstruction Resource Guide to assist in your efforts to keep construction materials from going to the landfill. This guide offers information on who to call for deconstruction help, and where to bring materials for reuse and recycling.

Reduce

Consider the cost-benefit analysis of a home improvement project. What’s being gained and what is the environmental (and economic) cost?

Reuse

Reclaimed materials are available from these locations:
- Habitat for Humanity of Missoula ReStore and Donation Center
  - New and gently-used furniture, building materials, tools and appliances
- Heritage Timber
  - Reclaimed wood and metal
- Home ReSource
  - Always check their selection first to save money and take advantage of reused materials
  - Their inventory ranges from cabinet sets and light fixtures, to toilets and plumbing, to lumber and scrap metal and more!
- Waste Less Works
  - Everything from plumbing and appliances, to roofing and timber
MUD (Missoula Urban Demonstration) Project
- MUD has a tool library where you can borrow/rent tools for your home projects
- They also have hands on learning opportunities along with other resources
These lumber companies have scrap wood “free piles” available to the public:
- Bad Goat Forest Products also removes local hazardous trees which they use to produce their lumber
- Buckeye Hardwoods

Recycle

Pacific Steel & Recycling (Call for acceptance policy):
- Appliances & Tin
- Ferrous – Mild Steel, Carbon steel, Stainless Steel, Cast Iron, Wrought Iron
- Non-Ferrous – Aluminum, Copper, Brass, Die Cast, Radiators, Stainless Steel, Catalytic Converters
- buys some scrap metals