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Habitat ReStore diverts 12.5 tons
from landfill
In December 2007, Watauga County partnered with Habitat
for Humanity’s ReStore to provide an outlet for recycling
and reusing construction and building materials that previously
were headed to the landfill.
More than 12 tons of materials have been
diverted from the landfill since the program began operation
on Dec. 17.
“This partnership benefits Watauga County, the ReStore
and our customers,” county manager Rocky Nelson said. “Customers
don’t pay a tipping fee for the items they donate to the
ReStore, and they receive tax deductions. The county doesn’t
have to pay a disposal fee to transfer the items to the landfill,
and the ReStore is getting valuable materials to provide back
to the community to support Habitat for Humanity.”
The ReStore’s landfill site is located right before the
scale house when entering the Watauga County Transfer Station,
and a ReStore employee assists customers with identification
of materials in their load that can be donated to the ReStore.
It is open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
“Approximately 30 percent of the waste going into the transfer
station is from construction sites and currently there is not
anywhere to recycle most building materials in this area,”
county recycling coordinator Lisa Doty said. “This program
helps to continue the loop of reducing, reusing and recycling.”
Items accepted at the ReStore’s landfill site include building
materials, lumber, plumbing, hardware, windows, doors, shower
stalls, gently used furniture, cabinets, vanities, etc. Any
treated or non-treated lumber should be at least six feet long,
with or without nails.
“We are excited about the support for this program from
the county and the community. This program is helping to decrease
the waste stream, while helping to build new Habitat for Humanity
homes in the community,” said Stephen Lee, who staffs the
station full-time. “This is a wonderful opportunity to
give back to the community, and we are always looking for volunteers
to help out.”
The ReStore is a division of Watauga County Habitat for Humanity.
All donations are tax deductible. All materials are taken to
the ReStore of Boone, located at 711 George Wilson Road, and
are available to the public for below market value prices.
For more information on the ReStore, call (828) 268-9696 or
go to www.restoreboone.com. To volunteer, e-mail construction@wataugahabitat.org.
For more information on waste reduction and recycling in Watauga
County, call Lisa Doty at (828) 265-4852 or go to www.wataugacounty.org.
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