Construction and Demolition Repurpose Ideas

            Michigan State University is always updating and improving campus buildings and grounds. So what happens to the construction and demolition waste materials when these jobs are completed? Fortunately, MSU Sustainability strives to recapture value from waste materials through various recycling and reclamation efforts, even going as far as sorting out dumpster bins to divert materials from the landfill.

The Surplus Store and Recycling Center takes sole responsibility for sorting and processing these materials to ensure maximum landfill diversion rates. Materials are sorted in hopes that the Surplus Store will be able to find good homes for the items. If no repurpose possibility is found, we try recycling the items, or worst case scenario, we are able to at least condense the materials by 60% capacity, saving on transportation costs and landfill trip charges. 




Some people may ask, "What are we supposed to do with the construction and demolition materials, like scrap wood, offered at the Surplus Store?" To which we would answer that there is an abundance of projects for which these types of materials can be used.  For instance, scrap wood can be used to create pallet furniture, raised bed gardens, lawn art, and much more. Let your imagination run wild!



For more ideas on what to make using MSU Surplus Store’s construction and demolition materials, be sure to check out our Pinterest boards exhibiting a wide selection of crafts and DIY projects.

          

          

Make Your Halloween Green!

Halloween is quickly approaching and here at the MSU Surplus Store, we encourage you to have a green and safe Halloween!

DIY costumes:

Costumes will be one of a kind; you could even incorporate your favorite shows characters as your kid’s Halloween costumes. Making your own costumes can help you reuse materials, save money, and make memories with your kids.

Use what you already own:

Those reusable shopping bags, pillow cases, or baskets you have laying around are perfect to collect Halloween candy in during Trick-or-Treating. The $3 pumpkin bucket at the store might seem like a good idea, but why not save money and use your resources when you can?

Arrange a costume swap in your community:

Costume swaps allow fewer resources used to make new costumes. It also means less packaging, less transportation of the product and less waste! This once again can save money and allow items to be reused.

Use those fall items in your composting pile:

Throw those leaves in your compost pile! You can also use your whole pumpkin this Halloween. Save the seeds for roasting as a great snack, use the pulp in pies, soup, or other recipes, and when the holiday is over, use them in your compost!

After the holiday is over, donate your costume to the Surplus Store! Instead of letting it go to waste, let other people reuse those fairy wings or pirate costume. If not, save them to be reused next year, just don’t throw them away.