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Interview Highlights: |
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Pittsburgh's only non-profit retailer of reusable building materials. |
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They are a non-profit so that means all the materials that people choose not to throw away are eligible for a tax deduction by donating them to Construction Junction. |
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The object is to prevent people from throwing everything into a landfill. |
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People who choose not to throw things away and make them available at a very reasonable cost to their neighbors is a very positive things to do. |
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Doors are one of their biggest selling items. |
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This first quarter sales are 30% greater than last year. |
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Everyone on the staff is getting paid and getting benefits. |
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They pick up materials from construction sites, homeowners, etc. |
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It is so satisfying to have a job where people thank you for being here. |
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They cover all of their operating expenses thru the sale of materials. |
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Once in awhile they go to foundations to seek grants for capital investments. |
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Construction Junction has attracted others organizations to recycle items. |
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Free Ride is a non-profit that takes donated bikes and gives them to those in need while teaching them how to fix-up the bike. |
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Creative Reuse Pittsburgh works with companies that have discards from the manufacturing process and uses the material as art supplies for schools. |
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If you are thinking about starting a venture like this be sure to talk to as many people who are running one now and ask a lot of questions. |
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You can find organizations like this by contacting: |
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Building Materials Reuse Association. |
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Investigate your local contactors to see what they are currently doing with material like this. |
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They are working on having an on-the-ground component as well as a policy and advocacy arm. |
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They have 2 companies in the building that are for-profit companies that recycles home appliances and another that recycles computers. There is a charge for recycling these items responsibly. |
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Describes itself as Pittsburgh's only non-profit retailer of reusable building materials. Deconstruction, materials for sale ($50 for a $250 Murray Feiss chandelier), recycling (collected musical instruments for Pay It Forward charity in Feb.), training, public education events. |
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