Get Some of Your DIY Energy Saving Project Materials Cheap or Free.
I continue to be amazed at the amount of waste created by the construction industry. Even though more and more construction waste is being recycled, it is still being generated by the ton. What is also interesting is that a great portion of it could be reused, instead of recycled. The point here is that we need to remind ourselves that the three R’s are listed in the most effective order: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle. So reusing these materials is better than recycling them.
Many construction dumpsters are loaded with 2×4’s and 2×6’s that used to be packing crates, extra concrete block that is cheaper to throw away than to restock, glass that was cut to the wrong size and is either too small or more expensive to re-cut than to have new glass made. In other words, perfectly good materials are headed for the recycling center or even worse, the landfill.
So how can you get your hands on all this great stuff for your energy saving home improvement project? The best way that I have found is to develop a good relationship with a contractor. Always keep in mind that they are doing you a favor by allowing you to take this extra material off of their hands. It’s still easier for them just to throw it in the dumpster than to set is aside for you, so you may want to think of some way to reciprocate.
Another possible source of low cost or free materials are manufacturers. More and more manufacturers are recycling and reusing more and more of their waste materials, but there are still some small companies that don’t generate enough waste or it varies too much to justify the cost of a recycling program. You might have some luck contacting a company that manufactures custom millwork, or equipment.
No matter which route you take, I encourage you to help divert waste materials from the landfill and reap the extra benefit of getting cheap and/or free materials for your own DIY energy saving projects.
Dan Bossenbroek
October 31, 2009
Tags: Energy Conservation, Home Improvement, Reuse Posted in: Energy Conservation, Home Improvement, Reduce - Reuse - Recycle
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