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Share creative ideas for reducing, reusing or recycling with features reporter Lisa Pemberton at 360-704-6871 or lpemberton@theolympian.com.
LIVING COLUMNS
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Help stock shelves of Habitat ReStore
Whether it's a kitchen update or a bathroom remodel, do-it-yourselfers often end up with spare building materials. That's where South Puget Sound Habitat for Humanity's ReStore comes in.
The organization reuses and resells functional building materials to help raise money for the construction of Habitat for Humanity homes in Thurston County. Its 5,500-square-foot store in downtown Olympia is stocked with everything from vintage, one-of-a-kind items to new and surplus materials.
To keep its shelves stocked, ReStore accepts many new and used building supply donations from homeowners, stores, contractors and other businesses.
"Last year, we diverted over 150 tons of materials from the landfill," ReStore manager Ray Zeitler said. "Everything that we have donated to our store was going to be wasted and sent to the dump; we were able to give these items a new home."
The program's list of accepted items varies because of storage supply and demand for certain products. If you would like to donate an item, call ahead to make sure it's wanted. But in general, the types of items the organization accepts include:
n Appliances such as washers and dryers that are less than 5 years old
n Cabinets that have all of their doors and drawers
n Carpet that's new and at least 10 feet by 10 feet
n Doors (except hollow, shower or bi-fold doors, unless they are new)
n Flooring that's wood, vinyl or ceramic, and large enough to cover 10 feet by 10 feet
n Hardware that's not rusted or incomplete
n Light fixtures (except fluorescent lights, unless they are new)
n Lumber, plywood, OSB, drywall, pr trim that's at least 4 feet in length (at least along one side) with few or no nails
n Latex paint that's less than 3 years old and in unopened cans
n PVC or metal pipe that's at least 4 feet in length
n Sinks that are stainless steel or cast iron without rust or chips (fiberglass utility tubs are OK, and only new porcelain sinks will be accepted)
n Tile that will cover 6 feet by 6 feet, and doesn't have grout attached.
n Toilets that are low-flush, cleaned, working and without cracks
n Roofing material and gutters
n Hand and power tools that are in good, working condition
n Vanities that are clean and in good condition
n Windows that aren't broken or fogged (aluminum and incomplete windows will not be accepted)
ReStore is at 210 Thurston Ave. N.E., Olympia. For more information or to inquire about donating an item, call 360-753-1575 or go to www.spshabitat.org.
Send ideas for reducing, reusing o r recycling to features@theolympian.com.
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