Q. & A. Finding Used Materials in New York
by TreeHugger on 05.16.05
Q. I've searched a bunch for this, but haven't been able to find any source of used lumber in new york (I'm looking for structural wood for shelves). Buying "new" feels sort of horrific. Any pointers? Jeff
A. Hi Jeff. If you are not in a hurry for your lumber, then there is one quick answer! New York’s Wa$te Match. It’s a web based dating agency basically. But instead of folk decreeing: I’m tall dark and handsome, like ice skating and soy lattes - they say: I have “ a 3 story 40' x 60' barn and 2 story 20' x 40' barn. 80+ years old, all hard wood, handhewn beams. Free.” Conversely if you are looking for specific materials you log in a ‘wanted’ description. The Wa$te Match Materials Exchange lists “unwanted items available at industrial and commercial firms, nonprofits, schools, even households.” This includes building materials, computers, food, transport goods, furniture, textiles, office and art suppliers. “Out of your dumpster - onto your bottomline.” is their motto. 15,000 ton of material worth $2.3M USD saved from landfill is their proof. Other cities and states have similar programs. ::Wa$te Match [by WM]
Part time environment home biz listed on eBay
Hello everyone. I see at least two different "green businesses for sale" on Ebay, for less than $20.
Here descriptions and the ebay listing refernce numbers below:
HELP THE ENVIRONMENT + Earn £200+ per week PT Item number: 7514372445
EARN EXTRA INCOME, NOVEL EARTH-SAVING RECYCLING INFO Item number: 5581995412
Earn $$$ while you help reduce landfill waste. Not a huge money-maker, but you'll feel good about actually being involved in an newly-discovered Sustainable Economy/Community action. You can do this part-time.
You are bidding on a concise, printed Guide for recycling, and selling, products that have previously not been recycled without having to be ground-up into pellets, or shredded. The market is unlimited, huge. There is a big shortage of used materials. Someone (you?) is needed to cover every city!
In addition, you'll make interesting new friends, and people will recognize you as a pioneer in a new field of recycling, and eventually, you may be so popular that you'll even get nominated for an award, or even offered a job! You can also do this on a bicycle, so that you're really a cycling recycler.
This is so unique that I'm quite sure NO ONE ELSE is doing this in your community. There are 600 cities worldwide with populations of over 1 million, and if you are in one of these 600 cities, this will be worthwhile to do.
This is for someone who wants to make a difference, and..
.. lives/works downtown, or in an 'urban' suburb; or, who travels all over, anyway
.. has at 2 hours a week to spare, walking or biking,
.. would like to earn $50-$200/month.
Other investment required: Less than $50, one time only, for setup supplies. A bicycle or scooter might also be handy, although you will be carrying less than 7 kilos at all times.
Thanks for reading this!