Construction debris’ really doesn’t do it justice







by Annee Tara
Coastal Journal contributor

When she learned about our “Waste Not Want Not” series, my friend, Susan, emailed me with this: to start you off, who could use two enormous wooden window units? (They are too heavy to put out for drive by possibilities.)

A couple of things came to mind: Habitat for Humanity's ReStore and the Maine B uilding Materials Exchange.

ReStore is a discount retail outlet open to the public that sells new and lightly used building materials, fixtures, furniture, appliances, tools, and other surplus items donated by individuals, contractors, and businesses. Some of the donated materials are used in the construction of Habitat homes, the rest are sold and the proceeds from the ReStore help fund the construction of Habitat homes in the Midcoast.

But Susan's windows don't qualify as “lightly used,” so the better choice is going to be the Maine B uilding Materials Exchange. This is a terrific organization! Their mission is to benefit low-income homeowners and the environment by providing new and re-usable building materials at an affordable price.

I found them when were moving to B runswick from Freeport . Originally organized as a place to take actual building materials - like Susan's windows - now they will take anything that can “be used in a home.”

That includes furniture. I had been in the Freeport house for over 30 years; it had three or four bedrooms, depending on how you count; our new home has 2. We had a living room and an upstairs sitting room; now we have one living-dining area. In short, we had a ton of furniture that we couldn't use and while it was not exactly “lightly used” it was certainly usable.

Some of our items were bulky and/or heavy - beds and mattresses, couches, a wood stove. We weren't going to be able take them to the B ME place ourselves. No problem! For a small fee (it was $15), they came, went through all the stuff we wanted to donate - and took most everything. And the pick-up fee was tax deductable, since B ME is a tax exempt organization.

Once our items - or Susan's windows - get to the B ME, which is now located in Lisbon (on the 196 - almost in Lewiston ), they are available to members for purchase at really low prices. For example, right now they have 6-panel pine doors, which would retail at about $90; they sell them to members for $40.

To become a member, you have to meet low/moderate income guidelines. For example, a family of four has to have an income of $44,000 or less. The membership fee is $10 a year. If you don't qualify for a regular membership, you can become a Supporting Member for $25 and then you can purchase things for 20 percent above the member rate. If you don't want to become a Supporting Member, you can still shop there and pay 40 percent more than a regular member.

The B ME shop is a remodeler's paradise! This week, I took a look around and found just about everything - including a bunch of stainless steel kitchen sinks! which are “mostly $40” for members, or $56 for a person off the street; a new one would cost around $125. And it's a fun place to visit; the staff is terrific and really helpful. They're supported by two dogs, Ellie, the yard dog, and Tara, who mostly rides with Tim in the truck that will pick up your goods.

This summer, I took some “window quilts” that had been in our “new” house since the energy crisis of the 70's. They are kind of bulky and when you close them, they block out all of the light. B ut as the staff at B ME said, “with the heating crisis, someone will be very glad to have these.” What a deal: I cleaned out the garage; the quilts were kept out of the waste stream and someone is going to be very happy they have them this winter. To learn more about B ME, you can go to www.mainebme.org or call 636-7670. If you have questions or suggestions about Waste Not Want Not, please contact Annee Tara at the Coastal Journal: editor@coastaljournal.com This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it










Waste Not, Want Not: I'll B et Someone Could Use This







by Annee Tara
Coastal Journal contributor

A couple of years ago, my brother and I took on the task of cleaning out our parents' house. Our dad had just died; our mother had passed a couple of years earlier. They had lived in their home for over 45 years - and had never thrown away anything.

As children we grew up with the saying “waste not, want not.” Now that we're grownups and live in the 21st Century, that wisdom has become part of our commitment to sustainability. Sending things to the landfill, when they could be used by someone for something is anathema!

Thus began the search for a “home” for used clothing, furniture, electronic equipment, sporting goods, etc., etc. What we learned - and continue to learn - has seemed valuable to our friends and colleagues. So, the Coastal Journal has agreed to let me share information about local resources that can really use items that you want to get rid of. Over the next few weeks, we'll be looking at agencies in the Midcoast that have a mission to collect your unwanteds and make sure they're not wasted.

In addition, if you're having trouble finding a place that will take your unwanted items, I'll do some research to try to help. Your can reach me at editor@coastaljournal.com This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it and I'll let you, and our readers, know what I find out. Also, if you are connected with a reuse organization, please contact me, so I don't leave you out of our story.

To begin, let's look at Reuse. You've seen the three-part circle: Reduce-Reuse-Recycle. This is basically a priority approach to relieving the planet of the tons of trash we generate every day. For centuries, we simply tossed things we didn't want out, first burying them behind the house or in the back 40; later paying to send them to a landfill. While this may have some anthropologic value, it is taking up space, polluting the land and water and is an expensive way to handle the problem of trash.

The best thing to do, of course, is to Reduce the amount of trash we generate: taking a reusable bag to the grocery store, instead of either “paper or plastic,” is one example.

The next best thing to do is to Reuse unwanted items: that's what this series is all about. Annie B . B ond, in her adaptation of Choose to Reuse, a book by Nikki and David Goldbeck, sums it up this way: “Reuse in the broadest sense means any activity that lengthens the life of an item…. Reuse is nothing new. What is new is the need to reuse.”

A word about Recycling: this term is commonly used to include reuse, but it is technically the collection of materials that can be turned into something else. It sure beats sending things to the landfill; but is less effective than either Reducing or Reusing. Of course, you should still separate your “trash” into things that can and can't be recycled. Check your town's website for a list of things that can go to the recycling center.

Now, consider things that you don't need or want, but that you know “someone must be able to use.” Our first story will look at what to do with unwanted clothing. Meanwhile, don't throw it away! Look for “Waste Not, Want Not” in the Coastal Journal.