Looking for Reuse Materials for Your Project?

PlanetReuse's network allows those that want to incorporate reuse materials on their project to rely on a central set of tools.  Simply fill out our Material Request form to tell us what type of materials you're looking for and we'll connect you to options locally or nationally, based off your timeline and project goals.  LEED and LBC projects will benefit from our extensive database of materials and partners to meet your projects certification standards.

Donations Fuel the Reuse Economy

In our last newsletter we featured our FREE national reclaimed material donation coordination forms.  Material donations are a foundational component of the reuse economy and through our network of non-profit and for profit reuse centers, we make it easy on all parties.  Regardless of the size of your project, commercial or residential, material donations are easy to request and painless to coordinate thanks to our experienced partners, like Habitat for Humanity International.

Material donations can save you money on dumpster and landfill fees, while offering an extended lifespan and re-commerce opportunities for the materials that would have otherwise just gone to waste.

Do you have materials that could be donated or just want to learn more?  Click here to see how easy it really is.

Inspiration Index: Windows

Have you ever heard somebody say, "you make a better door than a window"? (so rude, we know.) Well, these windows make better tables, mirrors, garden sheds and shelves. Repurposing these paned glass beauties is great for your wallet and even better for the environment! 

Read on for a wild walk through the wonderful world of windows. Then put your project pants on, hike up your tool belt and break out a little elbow grease. Make sure your watch is on, because it's time to get DIYing. 

For even more ideas, follow us on Pinterest for a plethora of perfectly pleasant projects.  

This rustic window is the perfect backdrop for a romantic mantle
Books + window = perfect coffee table
Replace the glass in an old window for a chic mirror
Eat your heart out, Anthropologie! Love this dreamy DIY

Easily create a faux stained glass window with a bit of paint
One resourceful couple made a stunning country retreat completely out of windows!
Let the light shine with this Do it Yourself greenhouse
This mirror lived a previous life as a window. Fantastic!

Use a window as the perfect canvas for your artistic creation!

U-S-A! D-I-Y! Let your flag fly with this patriotic project

Remind everyone of bathroom protocol with this great sign

A reused window becomes a tray with this chevron-styled DIY project

Inspiration Index: Let there be light (fixtures)

We've all seen them: sad, dusty, slightly dingy light fixtures. Often missing parts, covered in a thin layer of grime, these once brilliant luminaries seem lackluster and limp. Should we just toss them? Pass them by at our local reuse center or thrift shop? Sigh and think of their former glory days with nostalgia?

Of course not! A quick cleaning, some slight modifications and POW, these light fixtures are good as new (better, some might say!). SHAZAM, a chandelier is repurposed into an earthy planter. WHAM, a pendant light is upcycled into a hip terrarium. ZONKS, a ceiling light is transformed into a tranquil bird feeder. Holy reuse, batman! 

Check out these great reuse ideas, then dust off a light fixture and make it something awesome. For more inspiration, follow us on Pinterest. We're super pinners. 

Remove the bulb and electric parts. Fill with succulents and sand. Enjoy.
Easily turn a ceiling light into a tranquil bird feeder.
Paint the glass panes of a light fixture for an Anthropologie knockoff mirror.
A glass paneled light makes the perfect hanging planter.
Bring Jurassic Park to your desktop with this luscious terrarium.

Give your pots a hand (or 10!) with help from a chandelier.
A pendant light makes a gorgeous, inexpensive terrarium.

Follow PlanetReuse Marketplace's board Bright ideas for upcycled lighting on Pinterest.

Out With The Old and In With the Old!

Happy 2014! As we start another year, we resolve to be more responsible, more mindful, more aware. We aim to make our impact on the earth a little less negative and the impact on our community a little more positive.  

Sounds serious, huh? Well, it doesn't have to be! We can do little things that have far reaching, happy consequences for our wallet, the planet and our style.  Read on, fellow reusers, for our list of ideas to make this our best year yet! 

2014 resolutions:

Bring your own bags. Not just to the grocery store but anywhere that you might be needing to stash your stuff. 

Before you buy new, think reuse. Could you find that item second hand? Or use reclaimed or reused materials to make it? We live in a "purchase, use, toss" society, where our tastes change with the season. Let the landfill breathe a little easier by avoiding those big box stores. Plus, the feeling one gets from making something with their own hands is priceless.

When throwing away, look closely at what you're tossing. Could that mason jar be a new pinterest-worthy project? Is there a nonprofit organization that would love those old clothes? How about a reuse center that would gladly take your gently used furniture or appliances?

Give your old stuff a second life by donating it to someone in need. 

Rehabbing? Think Reclaimed.  
Reclaimed building materials not only cut down on the cost of a rehab job, they add to the charm and history of your home. 

Tell your family's story through salvaged barn wood, repurposed brick or upcycled windows. Reclaimed materials can add a look that's vintage, rustic or cozy, and will make your house a place you'll truly call home. 

'Tis the Season for Reuse!

Christmas is nine days away...officially right around the corner. If you're like us, and the holiday season snuck up on you a bit this year, you may be searching for some really great last minute #DIYs. We've rounded up a bunch of projects that will get you in the holiday mood. Most importantly, they all reuse, repurpose or upcycle items in the process...something that's sure to get you on the "nice" list.

Warning: if you're a grinch, this post may cause your heart to grow three times in size.

Yardstick Reindeer. Noel book decoration. Upcycled feather wreath.

Snow globe from log and glass jar. Reclaimed pallet Christmas sign.

Hollowed out log candleholders. Rustic box decoration.
A window and holiday greens. Cake tins silvery centerpiece.

A repurposed pallet tree. Use book pages to makeover ornaments.
Cabinet door stocking sign. Wine bottle Christmas tree. Pumpkin seed trees.

We knew we'd win him over. 

Repurpose fixtures & bulbs into brilliant holiday decor!

Tis the season...for reuse! The weather turned downright frigid and forced us inside in recent days, causing us to dream up DIY projects to fill our hours while we wait for Old Saint Nick. What better way to celebrate the holiday than making cheerful decorations? Especially if those Christmas-y creations reuse, repurpose or upcycle items in unexpected and awesome ways.  

Below is a roundup of delightful DIYs that reuse light fixtures, lanterns and burnt out lightbulbs. It's a torrent of terrific ways to trim your tree and add merriment to your mantle. 

Want even more ideas? Check out our Holiday board on Pinterest! 

Christmas lights give an outdoor lantern a twinkly, cheerful makeover.

Add ornaments to a repurposed lantern for a table top display.

Half of a pendant light serves as the backdrop for a winter scene.

Add holiday lights and red berries for a perfect christmas light fixture. 

Add some merriment to your mantle with multi-colored strand lights.

A wall sconce gets a second life as a christmas decoration.

Double the lanterns, double the Christmas fun! 

Create an enlightened tree out of light bulbs

Paint lights then dust with glitter for adorable ornaments.

a light bulb makes the perfect penguin body! Too cute!

Up, up and away with this hot air balloon ornament. 

Glue together painted bulbs for a funky, retro decoration

Fill old bulbs with confetti stars for a glimmering, glamorous ornament. 

Gobble Up These Thanksgiving Reuse DIYs

For me, Thanksgiving is a time to sit back and reflect on how lucky I am for a plethora of blessings, everything from the ordinary (that girl at the cafe gave me an extra cookie!) to the huge (job, house, family). Celebrating the changing season with a big meal surrounded by loved ones puts me in a permanent good mood (and a prolonged food coma), and in the weeks leading up to the big day, you'll find me crafting holiday decorations.

Below I've rounded up several awesome DIY projects that reuse, repurpose and upcycle everyday materials into terribly terrific Turkey Day treats. Because, for us at PlanetReuse, being thankful means using what you've got and stopping to appreciate all the little things along the way.

Gobble Gobble!

wine bottles + paint = a DIY we're thankful for!

Reclaimed wood makes for a great FALL sign

Be ready to rake in the compliments with this DIY project

Repurposed burlap is used to make a cozy, autumnal pillow

This sweet sign is made from upcycled art & chalkboard paint

Put everyone in their place with these wine cork namecards.

These turkey decorations are made with acorns and feathers and are adorable!

Need a pie server? This one is made with a wine glass and a plate. Genius!

A log and candles combine to make a rustic centerpiece

Set sail for Holiday style with this charming namecard DIY

Want even more great DIY ideas? Get on over to Pinterest and follow us! 

Write on: Delightful Desks Made From EcoFriendly Materials

A good desk can make all the difference. It's a catalyst for creativity, a push towards productivity, a gentle nudge in the direction of neatness. We've rounded up a collection of DIY desks that use reclaimed building materials in really beautiful, unexpected ways. These desks aren't just functional (which they are), they're also a surprise in stylish sustainability. Lumber, pipes and bolts never looked so good! 

So grab a couple power tools, carve out a few hours of time and get your build on. Whether you're using to read, write, craft or create, you'll have a piece of furniture that's sure to be on your (very short) list of favorites. 

Pipes give this desk a sturdy, industrial look. 

This funky, functional desk makes use of upcycled organizers. 

This table, made with repurposed machine legs is "sew" cute!

Hairpin legs + reclaimed wood = fantastic

Salvaged corbels make for a very "game of thrones" vibe. I dig it. 

Book lover? Prove it with a geek chic table desk. 

Old doors make the perfect tabletop for a new desk. 

Like the bat cave, but for crafters. This hidden desk is so awesome. 

Book cases do double duty in this smart desk DIY.

Our nerd hearts are rejoicing over this novel-stacked desk. 

Reclaimed materials give this desk a wonderful, farm feel.

By: Sarah Rendo

Last Minute Halloween DIYs that Reuse, Recycle and Repurpose

Happy Halloween! We're so excited to celebrate with trick-or-treating, an afternoon party and lots (we mean LOTS) of tiny candy bars. If, like us, you tend to wait until the very last minute to make those holiday decorations, fear not! We've rounded up a handful of scarily smart Halloween-themed DIYs that aren't only spookily stylish but also reuse items you have around your house!

Recycled glass bottles are the basis of this bloodsucking decor. 

The kids will love this: upcycle TP rolls into fun monsters!

Need a quick costume? Make this Lego Man from 2 cardboard boxes! Awesome! 

This adorable haunted house is made from several repurposed shoeboxes.

Reuse toilet paper rolls as candy holder "poppers"

Show trick-or-treaters the way with tin can luminaries. 

Leftover wood becomes chic halloween decorations.

Who needs pumpkins when you have milk jugs and christmas lights? Love it!