The growing concern for the environment has led to many changes in certain industries. Pollution and waste are being lessened. Generally people would like to be as ecofriendly as they can. So by recycling and reusing materials this is done.

Recycling is not a new thing. It has been promoted for years. In the housing industry, using reclaimed wood constructions is a way of reusing old material. Old lumber and steel from buildings that have closed down and have been demolished can be saved and given a new use.

More and more people are more conscious of their own impact on their community and the world as a whole. There is more interest in renewable sources. No one wants to add to the growing pile of trash in the worlds landfills. This branch of the building industry is gaining popularity not just for those interested in antiques and restoration.

Some sources of lumber are old factories, old warehouses, and ships. Many of the buildings fifty years ago were made of sturdy material. Sadly, that type of lumber has become quite rare nowadays. Safety standards must be followed when sourcing for usable pieces. If it will be used in the main structure of the new building, a thorough check must be done to see if the lumber is strong enough. Metals and nails should be taken out and anything that contains lead will not be safe for use. If the piece will be mainly decorative, a structural test is not necessary.

Old water heaters and furnaces are some things that cant be used. Old lighting fixtures can be rewired and upgraded but there are some electric devices that are just not compatible in our current times. There is probably not as much use for older electronics because they do become obsolete and outdated.

A reason for the growing fad of reusing old construction supplies is that many think it will cost less. They do not factor in the labor for deconstruction. It also takes time for prepping and restoring for the salvaged items to become reusable.

Another thing is you might think you are saving the environment by repurposing used items but you have to think about the labor costs and where it is from. If you are flying in items from across the world, that is not as economic as buying new material locally. Choose from nearby places when you want to search things you can use. Also you must take note that it isnt easy to locate usable lumber. It might be hard to find several pieces that are the same so patience is needed.

To do something like this would require so much planning. All the labor may cost a lot. In some cases old materials cost even more that new ones. There are many things to consider as well like following the planning codes and safety guidelines.

Being an advocate for the world is not just a fad anymore. It is not only the hippies who want to save Mother Earth by recycling. Its everyones job to each do their own part in making a contribution to lessening the pollution and slowing down global warming. Everyone can find a way to recycle and reuse so that there is less thrown out.