Reused People

The ReUse People is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization dedicated to reducing the solid waste stream and changing the way the built environment is renewed. Since 1993, architects, contractors, building owners, and federal, state, and local governments have relied on us to keep reusable and recyclable building materials out of overburdened landfills. By promoting deconstruction over demolition, we aim to maximize the recovery and reuse of valuable building materials.

Our Story

The ReUse People got its start in April 1993 with a building-materials drive to aid flood victims in Tijuana, Mexico. Project Valle Verde, as it was known, demonstrated the need for used building materials and the potential impact of this need on overused and overcommitted landfills. Since then, we have evolved from Building Materials Distributors in San Diego to The ReUse People, a name that better reflects our mission and vision.

How We've Helped

To date, we have deconstructed over 4,000 houses and other buildings, acquiring and distributing their materials to salvage reusable materials. This has prevented vast amounts of building materials from ending up in landfills, totaling over 400,000 tons of waste diverted from landfills. Additionally, we have trained and certified over 500 unemployed, underemployed, and disadvantaged workers, as well as over 70 contractors who create needed construction jobs.

Our Services

As a leader in the building materials reuse industry, The ReUse People offers a range of services and products designed to promote sustainability and reduce waste.

• Building materials donation and deconstruction options: We provide options for building owners to donate their reusable materials and choose deconstruction over demolition.
• Building materials collection: We collect reusable materials from building sites, ensuring they are properly sorted and prepared for reuse.
• Building materials distribution: Our network of retail outlets distributes reclaimed building materials, including lumber, cabinets, toilets, sinks, doors, windows, appliances, and more at great prices.
• Project management: We offer project management services for deconstruction and building materials reuse projects.
• Training and consulting services: We provide training programs for those interested in preserving resources and diverting reusable materials from the solid waste stream.
• Reuse and recycling plans: We create customized plans to help businesses and organizations incorporate reuse and recycling practices in their operations.
• Promotion of deconstruction: We work to promote deconstruction as an environmentally friendly alternative to demolition, benefiting the building owner, the community, and local landfills.

Retail Sales

In addition to our services, we sell quality building materials, including lumber, cabinets, toilets, sinks, doors, windows, appliances, and more at great prices. By shopping at our retail outlets, customers can help the environment while finding great deals on reclaimed building materials and lumber.

Consulting & Training

Our training programs are designed to meet the needs of those interested in preserving resources and diverting reusable materials from the solid waste stream. We offer a variety of consulting and training services to help businesses and organizations adopt sustainable practices.

The ReUse People is dedicated to reducing the solid waste stream and changing the way the built environment is renewed. By promoting deconstruction and the reuse of building materials, we strive to create a more sustainable future for all.