By SkySite Property staff

In an effort to divert deconstruction materials from landfills, the Environmental Protection Agency awarded nonprofit group The Reuse People of America a $50,000 grant. The group used that money to open a building materials retail warehouse in Los Angeles.

The group hopes to divert and reuse 1,500 tons of demolition materials in the warehouse’s first two years. It has a team that deconstructs buildings with a special method to salvage every piece possible. The group is able to save about 80 percent of the finished lumber and materials used.

“Shifting from demolition and disposal to deconstruction and reuse provides substantial climate change benefits,” said Wayne Nastri, the EPA's administrator for the Pacific Southwest. “By reusing 30 tons of building materials from just one home, you can reduce greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to taking five cars off the road for a year. From home remodeling to major demolition, each of us has an opportunity to reduce our climate change impact by reusing and recycling building materials.”

Who benefits?

• Everyone, through a cleaner environment

• Homeowners, who receive tax deductions for donated houses and building materials

• Builders and contractors, through better service to clients

• Local governments, by increasing the life of existing landfills