How to Find Recycled Building Materials

You may be able to find salvage wooden doors.

Not everyone lives in a climate where recycled building materials such as palm fronds and bamboo are available to construct a thatch-roofed shelter on the beach. Look for alternatives and think unconventionally in terms of building supplies. Each region of the country may have its own particular resources. You can find homes built with recycled building materials such as straw bales, used rubber tires and even empty beer bottles.

Instructions

1. Select a home design based on the recycled building materials available to you in your area of the country. If you live in a rural area, you are likely to find old barn wood in abundance, for instance. Convert a shipping container into living quarters if you live near a port and have access to these. Note that you can find these recycled building materials and adaptable recyclables by keeping your eyes, ears and mind open to the surroundings.

2. Check online for the closest Habitat for Humanity ReStore to find bargains on recycled building materials. The inventory available for sale in these stores is from local renovation or remodeling jobs as well as new, overstocked or wrong order items donated by local contractors.

3. Read local newspaper classifieds and Craigslist under the sections marked Free. Look for recycled building materials available at no cost provided you haul the salvaged materials away.

4. Build an underground or earth-sheltered home. Use the earth under your feet, which is the ultimate in sustainable building materials. Locate a reputable builder in your locale who specializes in this type of construction.

Tips & Warnings

• Offer to help a neighbor or family member who may be planning a remodeling job in exchange for salvageable items.

• Finding recycled building materials is usually cost effective, but the process of preparing these materials for reuse can be time consuming.

References

• The University of Michigan College of Architecture and Urban Planning: Qualities, Use, and Examples of Sustainable Building Materials

Resources

• Habitat for Humanity: ReStore Resale Outlets
• Ashwani Vasishth, California State University Northridge: Recycling Building Materials: Working Bibliography