Today there are a wide range of recycled building materials available. These materials reduce landfills, are affordable, can be found locally, and will spark artistic creativity in building projects.
Items as simple as empty glass bottles, metal cans, wooden pallets, cardboard, and dirt filled tires have been used to create livable buildings. Reclaimed hardwood can be turned into tabletops, desks, or headboards. A simple outdoor deck can be built from reused wooden pallets and plywood. Old license plates can serve as roofing material. A supple floor can be assembled with wine corks. Abandoned blue jeans and denim can be treated with fire retardant and installed as effective insulation. Items as strange and unique as silos, ships, airplanes, train cars, and shipping containers have been repurposed as dwellings.
Some businesses take old building materials and reconstruct them into “new” materials. Recycled content carpet, recycled wood/plastic composite lumber, recycled concrete, recycled paint, and recycled plastics are all examples of post-consumer waste building materials.
Recycled building materials can be found at reclamation centers, non-profit re-sellers, for free or cheap in online or print classified ads, thrift stores, garage sales, and even lining the street on trash pick-up days. Keep your eyes and ears open for recycled building materials around your town.