AUGUST 13, 2009 ISSUE
Don’t Throw It Away!
Habitat ReStore Opens Reclamation Center at Landfill
Watauga County Habitat for Humanity recently opened a new permanent structure at the entrance to the Watauga County Landfill that will serve as a reclamation center for goods that can be recycled rather than thrown away. The service—which began in December 2007—has already saved more than 58 tons of materials from being landfilled.
Last month, Watauga County Habitat for Humanity unveiled a new permanent structure at the entrance to the Watauga County Landfill that will serve as a reclamation center for goods that can be recycled rather than thrown away. The new center is the latest advancement in a project that began in December 2007 and, to date, has saved more than 58 tons of material that would otherwise be salvaged.
“This is a very important service because our landfill doesn’t receive materials anymore—it’s all shipped to Johnson City, [Tenn.]. It’s kind of like a go-between station because we can’t sustain anymore landfilling in Watauga County,” said Tony Caito, executive director of Watauga County Habitat for Humanity. “It’s even more important that we, in comparison to other surrounding counties, recycle as much as possible.”
The newly constructed building, which is roughly 8-by-12 feet, was built with the Habitat ReStore philosophy of using recycled materials that would have otherwise been landfilled. More than 50 percent of the building materials used include recycled windows, doors, roofing and siding.
Staff of the Watauga County Landfill leveled a pad for the building, and Grace Lutheran Church Troutman Family Foundation funded the project.
Since the opening of the Habitat ReStore Reclamation Center two years ago, more than 58 tons of material have been salvaged and kept out of the landfill. Contractors and homeowners are welcome to drop off appliances, furniture, lumber, hardware, plumbing, electrical, flooring, tools and household items with the Habitat ReStore Reclamation Center staff, for a tax write-off, saving the cost of the landfill fee and keeping waste out of the landfill. These items are refurbished and sold to the public at deeply discounted prices, benefiting the mission of Watauga County Habitat for Humanity in providing affordable housing for local families in need.
The center features an attendant on duty that helps sort items that can be recyeled. If an attendant is not on duty, materials are not allowed to be left at the center.
“[This program] is part of closing a loop and reusing stuff that would have otherwise gone in [the Watauga County Landfill],” said Lisa Doty, Watauga County recycling director, who is charged with reducing the amount of waste collected at the landfill while increasing the amount of recycled goods produced in the region. “This fits into my plan perfectly. [The program] has got a great environmental component to it as well, in addition to supporting the ReStore.”
The Habitat ReStore Reclamation Center is open Monday through Saturday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. The Habitat for Humanity ReStore is located at 2447 Old Highway 421 South in the old Norris Furniture building and is open Monday through Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. For donation, customer and volunteering questions, call 828-268-9696.
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