The ReUse People - FEBRUARY 2005 NEWSLETTER

A Green Tint Settles over Hollywood (And More Smog It's Not!) By Ted Reiff

On Friday, February 4, I gave a presentation at a UCLA conference on sustainability in the movie industry. The audience included individuals directly and indirectly involved in movie-making (location managers, independent producers, construction managers, studio environmental managers and the like). Also present were professionals in the recycling/reuse business - - employees of the California Integrated Waste Management Board, other recycling agencies and The ReUse People.

Lorenz Schilling, TRP Southern California Regional Manager, and I were amazed to learn what studio-recycling managers think is leading-edge recycling (waste paper?). They'll put Jiminy Cricket's name on studio-produced promos touting their modest recycling efforts, yet the waste generated by trashing elaborate short-lived movie sets is borderline insanity. In my presentation, I joked that sustainability in the movie industry equates to the number of remakes per year - witness "The Manchurian Candidate," "Fun with Dick and Jane," "Alfie," "Ocean's Eleven" and "The Stepford Wives."

Frankly, though, I see a real glimmer of hope. Speakers Ed Begley and Rosario Marin both referred to TRP and its efforts to correct wastefulness in large-set construction.

My talk highlighted TRP's salvaging of the "Matrix Reloaded" and "Matrix Revolution" sets here in Alameda. That information certainly opened some eyes. The real question is: will the producers get out from behind their desks and manage the problem, or will they continue to delegate the issue of set disposal to their minions and account clerks? After all, deconstruction/demolition amounts to only 5 percent of the total cost of set construction.

Though encouraged by the conference turnout of 100-plus people, I'm not ready to bet our bottom 2x4 that Hollywood is finally getting it.

New Inventory

Last week we received 180 brand new Milgard windows. Talk about beautiful. These dual-pane white vinyl designs were mis-ordered for a job, so the distributor donated them to TRP. They include a variety of sizes and styles.

Special of the Month

Cabinets are our featured item this month. Furnish an entire kitchen, or select individual designs for garage storage or other special functions. Bring a copy of this e-letter with you and receive 10 percent off our already low cabinet prices through March 10, 2005.

Friends of TRP

Join Friends of TRP at either the Oak ($25 annually) or the Mahogany ($100 annually) level. In addition to helping TRP achieve its mission, you'll receive discounts on used building materials, be entered in our quarterly drawing for a $100 gift certificate, and other benefits.

Click here to access the TRP membership form. Print the form and mail it to TRP with your donation. Thank you!

Remember, as a Friend of TRP you receive two discounts - the discount on the special of the month plus you don't pay sales tax.

Deconstruction Update

The Alameda ReUse Bazaar we will receive:

• Materials from a 3,000 sq-ft house with exterior redwood siding and interior redwood paneling throughout all but two rooms
• All materials from a 4,000 sq-ft ranch home from the Lindenwood area of Atherton
• All materials from a 5,700 sq-ft custom ranch home in Atherton with all vertical redwood siding

In Los Angeles, the Habitat Home Improvement Store and Silver Lake Yards will receive:

• The contents of a 1960's La Jolla ranch-style home will be heading to L.A. on Friday, February 11. It's vintage, wood-framed multi-light hopper and casement windows will go to Silver Lake Yards. The balance of the materials will go to Habitat's South Bay Home Improvement Store.

Location and Contact Information

TRP ReUse Bazaar
2100 Ferry Point, #150
Alameda, CA 94501
(510) 522-2722; toll-free 888-588-9490
Hours: Mon through Fri 10:00 to 6:00; Sat and Sun 10:00 to 4:00

Please visit our partnering warehouses in the greater Los Angeles area:

Habitat Home Improvement Store
17700 S. Figueroa (corner of 182nd), Gardena/Carson CA 90248
(310)-323-5665
Hours: Tuesday through Saturday 9:00 a.m. to 6: 00 p.m.

Silver Lake Yards
1086 Manzanita Street
Silver Lake, CA 90026
(323) 667-2875
Hours: Friday, Saturday & Sunday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. by appointment
Directions: Manzanita Street crosses Sunset Boulevard in Silver Lake. Go south 1 short block and turn right just before Santa Monica Boulevard.