It doesn’t matter what season it is; it seems like the list of home improvement projects never gets any shorter. No matter what project you’re thinking of tackling next, one thing is for sure: you’re in for a lot of research and calculations. Not many people have the luxury of just calling constructors and giving them free rein over their property with no issues about the cost of such services. The rest of us are on a constant lookout for ways to save money and repurpose old materials and items. Here are some eco-friendly materials you can reuse:
Reclaim old bricks
Buying new bricks seems like a sensible move: you’ll get neat new material. You won’t have to worry about different sizes and shades of bricks when you start building something in your yard. However, there is absolutely nothing stopping you from reusing some old bricks in a new project. If you have to tear down something (like an old garden bed), try to keep the bricks whole and save them for something new. Building fire and barbecue pits out of old bricks will save you loads of money. You will end up with a nice little pit that certainly has character, thanks to old building materials being used. In addition, you can also use the bricks to lay new walkways or patio areas for your home.
Recycle roof shingles
If you’re planning on replacing your old roof in the future, we have some good news. Old roof shingles can easily be recycled, and even if you’re planning on getting copper roofing instead, there are ways to profit from your old roof. Replacing an old roof means that there will be tons of scrap shingles on your hands that you probably won’t know what to do with. Hired contractors can sometimes recycle those for you, but we advise you to double check in advance. If that’s not an option for you, reach out to your nearby recycle park and see if they would be willing to accept them. The good thing about old shingles is that they are often used to make new ones. Also for the production of pothole patch asphalt as well as asphalt pavements.
Reprocess carpets
For a lot of homeowners, removing old carpets is one of the most important things to do when renovating their homes. More and more people opt to keep their floors exposed or just use simple throw rugs in strategic places. Hardwood floors are rising in popularity again, and for a good reason: they are easier to clean and look good in pretty much any home. But, what to do with those old carpets you no longer need around the house? Some countries go so far as to offer some type of carpet recycling programs for people who want to get rid of carpets, but what if that’s not an option where you live? Reach out to recycling centers. See if they can take them or simply sell them online to earn some extra cash.
Reuse drywall
Drywall is amazing for keeping the warmth inside your house. It’s made of gypsum placed between two sheets of paper. Interior construction and home renovation would be virtually impossible without it. Luckily, drywall is incredibly easy to reuse and recycle. Builders can plug openings in the wall with scraps of drywall and workers can use bits to support wet concrete. The biggest surprise is that drywall can help fertilize plants because it contains boron, a known plant nutrient.
Repurpose wood
Scrap wood might seem like a useless thing to have around the house, but it’s exactly the opposite. It can really come in handy to have them around, especially if you have a fireplace. Scraps of wood are perfect for starting fires in the fireplace or the fire pit outside and can even be used to build or repair furniture. Not to mention that you can repurpose virtually any plank into a shelf. It doesn’t matter where the wood came from: old furniture, old fences, garden beds, or even rotten patio. If you’re planning a bonfire in the yard, you’re in for a treat, and you can build raised garden beds with just a few nails and planks too. If you’re only looking to get rid of your old wood, it’s important that you remove the nails, paint, and any screws that might be left and drop it off at a recycling center.
Almost a third of all the waste in landfills happens to come from different home renovation projects. Not only is it way more expensive to buy new building materials than it is to repurpose old ones. It’s also huge damage to the environment. Starting from the foundation all the way to the roof of your house, you can easily repurpose, reuse, and recycle building materials. When you have a big renovation project coming along, it’s best to do some prep work and research first so that you can see if there is anything you already own that you could use.
