The results are in!
Mixed opinion, but our survey shows that repurposing and recycling during a home remodel IS important to NOVA residents! If you aren’t sure where – or how – to get started, there are lots of great organizations out there who can help give your items a new home. Let’s take a look at some of them.
Community Forklift
Community Forklift is a nonprofit reuse center for home improvement supplies. They collect donations of unwanted and salvaged building materials throughout the metro DC region. They then make the building materials available to the public at low cost and provide vintage materials for restoring old homes. They also offer public education about reuse, and distribute free supplies to local nonprofits and neighbors in need.
Community Forklift’s mission is to lift up local communities by making repairs affordable, reducing waste, promoting reuse and creating green jobs.
By donating, shopping, or volunteering at Community Forklift, you help to:
- Make repairs and renovation more affordable for everyone in the community—homeowners, small businesses, charitable groups, etc.
- Reduce construction industry waste, keep reusable materials out of the landfill, and reduce the mining and harvesting of dwindling natural resources.
- Provide public education about reuse and recycling options, green living, and environmental sustainability.
- Build the local economy and develop career opportunities for nearby residents.
“Turning the waste stream into a resource stream for local communities”
Habitat for Humanity
Habitat for Humanity’s Habitat ReStores are nonprofit home improvement stores and donation centers that sell new and gently used furniture, appliances, home accessories, building materials, and more to the public. All items are donated by businesses, building contractors, suppliers, and individuals, and are available for sale to the public at 50% to 90% off the original retail prices.
All donations are tax deductible, and profits support Habitat for Humanity of Northern Virginia.
“When you support our Habitat NOVA ReStores, you help hardworking, low to moderate-income families build strength, stability, and self-reliance.”
Homes Not Borders
Homes Not Borders provides required furnishings and household items for newly arriving refugee families. Their mission is to provide the refugee, Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) and asylum-seeking population of the D.C. area with what they need to thrive and feel at home in the United States. Their vision is to create a society where refugees, SIV holders and asylum-seekers can integrate smoothly and create a full and thriving life in the United States.
The Homes Not Borders moving teams do item pick up 2-3 times a week throughout the DC metro area.
At the current time, their biggest expense is NEW mattresses, so if you don’t have items to donate, they are currently raising funds to meet this dire need (mattresses MUST be new). Go to the website to donate and help our newest neighbors!
Help Homes Not Borders Raise Funds for New Mattresses!
GreenDrop
GreenDrop will even come to your door to pick up donations to support a number of different non-profits. They accept small electrical appliances, tools, kitchenware and some electronics in addition to clothes and bedding.
Check out their website for the list of accepted items and schedule a pick-up!
Help Homes Not Borders Raise Funds for New Mattresses!
123Junk
Lastly, you might think 123 Junk is just a removal service, but they also partner with a number of non-profits in the DC area to put donated furniture, appliances, clothing and other items to good use.
See their full list of charitable partners and learn more about their process here.
“Deep Community Ties is one of our core values. We feel fortunate to do work that provides a benefit to our clients and the community at the same time!”
If recycling and repurposing is important to you, the next time you are thinking about a home remodel, ask your prospective remodeler if they participate in recycling and repurposing.
Learn more about our full service design-build home remodeling experience here!
