Reuse Organization Profiles

Recycle Ann Arbor

Overview

Recycle Ann Arbor (RAA) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization mission driven to improve environmental quality through recycling, reuse and effective energy use. The Recycle Ann Arbor ReUse Center is a 20,000 square foot warehouse dedicated to preventing needless waste through reuse. The ReUse Center accepts donations from area homes, builders, remodelers, etc. and resells them at very reasonable prices.

History

The ReUse Center opened in the fall of 1996 at its current location in Ann Arbor, Michigan. The ReUse Center was originally only 10,000 square feet but quickly filled up with materials and was expanded to its current size. The expansion was accomplished by moving RAA's paper bailing operation to an alternate site. The ReUse Center originally accepted clothing, household items, and toys but has since altered its acceptance policy to accept the items listed below.

Operations

Five full-time, paid staff members, as well as several full-time volunteers staff the ReUse Center. The ReUse Center has a front end loader to aid in the loading and unloading of heavy items. A delivery service is available for a fee and collections are compiled to build up a quantity, and then carried out every other week. Collections are provided through the use of rental moving trucks. Items in the ReUse Center have set pricing, but customers are free to negotiate for a lower price. All donations to the ReUse Center are tax deductible. The ReUse Center occasionally visits buildings to be demolished or remodeled to extract reusable items (strip outs).

Materials Accepted

The ReUse Center specializes in building materials such as solid core doors, windows, flooring materials, plumbing fixtures and equipment, lumber, electrical work including light fixtures, and hardware. Also accepted and sold are books, furniture, electronics, newer computers, appliances (small & large), and sports/exercise equipment.

Source of Materials

The majority of the items donated from the reuse center are donations from area residents and do-it-yourselfers. Additionally, area builders, remodelers, and landlords regularly bring materials for donation. As previously mentioned, the ReUse Center occasionally chooses sites for strip outs of materials.

Collection Service

Collection appointments are taken over a span of two weeks and provided at the end of that period, usually in one concentrated day. Annually, RAA holds a "Second Chance Week" during which staff and volunteers visit a large number of area homes for a free collection. The last Second Chance Week visited over 570 homes during the week and collected an estimated 1044.83 cubic yards of material.

Geographic Service Area

Washtenaw County, Michigan

Drop-Off Hours

Monday-Friday: 10:00 a.m.-5:45 p.m. and Saturday: 9:00 a.m.-4:45 p.m.

Days/Hours of Operation

The ReUse Center is open Monday-Friday: 10:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m. and Saturday: 9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.

Contact Information

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Last updated: November 01, 2007