If you live in or near Pittsburgh, you have access to an amazing nonprofit organization that promotes conservation through the reuse of building materials.
Construction Junction’s mission is to keep usable building materials out of the landfill and provide them to the community at a reasonable price. The group is Pittsburgh’s first nonprofit building material reuse retailer specializing in used and surplus building materials.
A peek at Construction Junction’s
current offerings confirms the nonprofit is living up to the task. For example, it has a drafting table for $250, a 1950s Filco freezer for $75 and a 14-piece kitchen set for $600 (at press time).
An environmentally friendly alternative to demolition or renovation is building deconstruction.
According to the
Building Materials Reuse Association, “Deconstruction is the practice of disassembling a building in such a way that the materials (joists, flooring, siding, fixtures, and more) can be reused for new construction. Deconstruction is a cost competitive alternative to conventional building demolition.”
Construction Junction goes to jobsites and removes items that that it will sell at its retail store, including cabinets, doors with jambs, windows, trim and casement work and hardwood flooring. More extensive removal of slate, framing lumber, rafters and floor joists may be possible if the project timeline permits.
At the completion of the job, Construction Junction provides an itemized receipt for material. This can be used for tax purposes and/or potential LEED certification.
Donations of leftover materials can also be made to Construction Junction. Materials accepted include lumber, windows, doors, cabinets, hardware and other materials.
If all that doesn’t sound fantastic, there is more:
Pittsburgh Center for Creative Reuse
The second-floor and third-floor loft area of Construction Junction houses the
Pittsburgh Center for Creative Reuse Pittsburgh (PCCR). Like Construction Junction, PCCR keeps reusable materials out of landfills and sells them at a great price. In 2011, PCCR received more than $50,000 in donated materials, diverted more than 12 tons of waste from landfills and provided dozens of creative reuse programs for organizations ranging from the Penn Hills Library to the Three Rivers Arts Festival.
E-waste recycling
Construction Junction collaborates with
eLoop llc to offer free electronic waste recycling for items dropped off by residential customers during business hours.
City recycling drop-off
A recycling drop-off station managed by the City of Pittsburgh is conveniently located in Construction Junction’s parking lot. Drop-offs are available during business hours only.
For more information about Construction Junction and the other materials the group accepts for reuse and recycling, visit constructionjunction.org. Construction Junction is located at 214 N. Lexington St. in Pittsburgh. Hours: Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
