About Joe Rettman:

Joe has been involved in the recycling and reuse industry since 2006. He currently manages operations for Deconstruction Management, Inc., a for-profit company based in Cleveland, where he manages projects, jobsites, relations with sub-contractors and construction managers, and is responsible for the resale, reuse and recycling of construction materials. Joe participated in the EPA 2009 Brownfields Sustainability Pilot Project for the City of Cleveland. He is a member of the NEO Chapter of USGBC, BOMA/Cleveland, Entrepreneurs for Sustainability, and SWANA (Solid Waste Association of North America).

Deconstruction Cleveland's Board of Advisors

About The ReUse People:

Since 1993, architects, contractors and building owners have relied on TRP to keep reusable and recyclable building materials out of overburdened landfills. By de-constructing (instead of demolishing) a building, TRP is able to salvage up to 80 percent of the materials and channel them back into the marketplace through donations and sales at its network of retail outlets. These services are among the first steps in the green building process. Furthermore, tax-deductible donations of reusable materials to TRP, a nonprofit 501(c)3 corporation, provide a faster payback and better return-on-investment than any other product or service offered by the green building industry. For more information on the company and its services, visit the TRP website at www.thereusepeople.org.

About Deconstruction

Deconstruction is the process by which a building’s reusable fixtures and framing are carefully removed and salvaged. The deconstruction process prepares the site for new construction or building renovation.

In a full deconstruction, the entire structure is carefully dismantled in the reverse order from which it was built. A qualified deconstruction contractor and crew of skilled workers salvage all reusable fixtures and framing lumber, leaving a clean site.

In a partial deconstruction the process is the same, but involves only those portions of the building being renovated or remodeled. For example, a kitchen remodel would remove cabinets, countertops, sinks, appliances and other fixtures targeted for replacement.

Fixtures are anything that is not part of the framing—doors, lighting, sinks, bathtubs, toilets, vanities, appliances, cabinets, windows, wood flooring, etc. Framing lumber includes rafters, wall studs, ceiling and floor joists. Wood siding, bricks and roof tiles are also salvaged.

Deconstruction is growing in popularity for several reasons:

• When reusable materials are donated to a qualified nonprofit such as The ReUse People, the donor receives a substantial tax deduction that may offset the cost of deconstruction.
• Used materials sell for cents on the dollar. This gives consumers a wider range of choices and helps them save money. Stores that sell salvaged building materials are similar to thrift stores.
• Deconstruction reduces the flow of materials clogging overburdened landfills and extends their life.
• Salvaged materials do not have to be replaced with newly manufactured materials, which saves energy.
• Deconstruction is labor intensive and requires trained workers, adding private sector jobs to the economy.

In 2007 the USEPA estimated that approximately 250,000 single-family residences are demolished and landfilled every year. Demolition waste represents up to 55 percent of the solid waste stream. Deconstruction and building-materials reuse can easily cut that number in half.

About the process

Here is all you need to do:

1. Receive an appraisal consultation: TRP will have independent, IRS qualified appraisers assist you in determining a preliminary value of your donation at no obligation to you. If you choose to move ahead with the project, the appraiser you hire will complete the full evaluation and all necessary documentation.

2. Get a free deconstruction bid: A TRP-Certified Deconstruction Contractor will submit a bid to carefully deconstruct your building to TRP specifications.

3. Donate: Email or fax the Donation Letter to TRP. This letter states you intend to make the donation (for IRS purposes) and identifies your appraiser and TRP-Certified Deconstruction Contractor. Note: your tax deduction cannot be processed without our receipt of this letter.