How do you save a LOT of Landfill Space??
February 7, 2008
By getting rid of all the construction material that is dumped there on a daily basis. Think about it… All of the used drywall, plywood, wood, sinks, cabinets, flooring, bathtubs, decks, and everything else that is torn out of houses.
Now, some of this stuff has had its day, but much of it is still perfectly fine. I live in Northern Virginia and I can’t tell you how many houses I see every day that are being torn down to build the McMansions. All of the stuff in the old house is trashed, and much of it could have been reused.
Enter COMMUNITY FORKLIFT. This group based out of Hyattsville allows builders to donate gently used materials and get a tax deductions. This accomplishes three goals. One, the material is reused. Two, the company does not pay the dumping fees. Three, the company can write off a donation. On the flip side, people who need these items but don’t need the newest and best (Think New Orleans, Tennessee this week after the tornados, or anyone who just needs the basics to live), can purchase these items at a heavy discount.
This is the type of creativity that we need in our world today. The new “tagline” or business model in green business nowadays is called The Three P’s. People, Planet, Profits and not just concentrating on the latter. This business is changing things simply by existing.
A lesson we could all learn…
greg
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The Daily Compost has a new look!
Thanks so much for mentioning Community Forklift, and spreading the gospel of reuse!
I also want to thank MOM’s for your generous support of Community Forklift. When we have events, y’all are quick to donate food to us. As a nonprofit operation with big enthusiasm but shallow pockets, we are incredibly grateful.
I love shopping at a grocery store that invests in our community and local organizations!
–Ruthie Mundell