10 Ways to Reduce Waste During a Remodel

Audit your belongings before you demo and take photos of everything installed. A week or two before the demo is time to sell or donate items that are still in working order. Consider all kitchen appliances, toilets, sinks and shower fixtures, light fixtures and any furnishings that will not be reused in the remodeled space.

It may take some time to sell, but remember that are always people looking to repurpose used items, such as this vintage sink.

Pallets, styrofoam or large pieces of cardboard can be easily broken down and reused. If you don’t have a way to store these items, consider posting a curb alert in your neighborhood. Pallets are popular for upcycling and durable for any number of projects. Styrofoam and protective wrapping can be reused by others who need to ship items. Packing peanuts can be used to fill the bottom of big planters because they weigh a lot less than soil. Cardboard boxes can be reused whole, or flatten and reused in numerous ways.

Solid wood doors and glass-paned doors are often sought after by home enthusiasts looking to avoid the look of new construction. They’re built well, easily refinished and deserving of a second installation.

Create extra storage space in your garage, basement or workshop by salvaging cabinets from a kitchen remodel. Reconfigure cabinet pieces to create a custom hutch. Upcycle an old vanity into a freestanding sideboard. And don’t forget about the countertop, pieces of countertop can be reused creatively to make a laundry folding station or a planting and potting area outdoors.