According to Tom Riessner, executive director of Urban Repurpose, urban centres like Metro Vancouver throw away or burn hundreds of thousands of tonnes of deconstruction materials each year due to the costs associated with collection and processing, or because there isn’t anywhere to take them for reuse.
Urban Repurpose, temporarily located at 493 Mountain Hwy. in North Vancouver, collects and sorts unwanted items that are easy to resell so they may help fund the processing of hard-to-reuse materials. The operation is set up in a building that will eventually be re-developed. The not-for-profit enterprise is on the hunt for a permanent location of 10,000 to 20,000 square feet, preferably on the North Shore.
The business is working to build a sustainable operation that helps the community keep deconstructed materials in the loop and out of the landfill. Revenue generated from selling easy-to-reuse materials funds their operations, processing costs, and research and development for the creation of new products.
The volunteer-driven organization harvests new and used consumer products and construction waste materials through donation or collection. They process and return the products to the community for reuse, as is, or as raw materials to be used in the formation of new upcycled products.
They focus primarily on home decor, furniture, unique materials and new and used building supplies.
Mark Raagch, a volunteer who works closely with Riessner in the wood shop in the back of the warehouse, creates light fixtures from old box springs, helps fix broken furniture and assists people with their creative projects.
Urban Repurpose plans to have people work on their projects on-site so customers may learn upcycling techniques themselves. They offer free pickup on larger approved donations and require volunteers to help with a variety of duties in the store and warehouse. They’re open 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday. For more information visit repurposecanada.org or call 604-990-5576.
