I don’t know about you, but for me, summer means at least one major household project. Last year I gutted the bathroom. This year it’s time to re-roof. While these projects can be an opportunity to add personal touches to your home, it is also an important time to deepen a commitment to reducing, reusing and recycling.

Did you know that 22 percent of Oregon’s waste is from construction and demolition? It’s one of our fastest growing waste streams. Master Recyclers can help stop this growth by integrating information about construction waste reduction into your presentations, tabling events and conversations with neighbors.

Here are some tips and resources to get you started:

Reduce

Think simple. A room does not need to be ornate to be beautiful
Think small. More square feet requires more materials
Design using standard sizes so that less material has to be cut away
Consider sustainable materials that are durable and recyclable and will be easy to deconstruct Use classic designs that will be popular for years
Take care of structures so they last longer
Buy materials (wood, fasteners, screws, etc.) in bulk

Reuse

Buy used materials from places like The Rebuilding Center, Habitat for Humanity ReStores or Rejuvenation
Use Metro’s Recycled Paint
Deconstruct existing structures so that you can reuse the materials or bring them somewhere that can reuse them.
Furnish from resale stores.