Photos by Jeffrey V. Smith

inside resource: a recycling success
by Vivienne Palmer

In just nine years, ReSource has established itself as a Boulder institution. ReSource general manager Kurt Buss tells why it's so popular, where it's headed and how it benefits anyone who remodels or builds a home.

ReSource is a win-win-win deal. Folks with usable building materials can donate them to ReSource and claim a tax deduction. People working on a building project can purchase those materials at less than half of retail price. And the environment wins because these materials aren’t consuming landfill space.

Kurt Buss is ReSource’s deal maker and manager, as well as a passionate recycler. He earned an English degree, but got a job in construction and was amazed to learn how much waste the industry created. So when Buss built an addition to his home, he decided to use reclaimed materials from job sites.

After a back injury ended his construction career, Buss landed at EcoCycle in Boulder. When the manager position at ReSource (formerly ReSource 2000) opened up, he leapt at the opportunity. “That was eight years ago and I still look forward to going to work every day,” Buss says.

That’s partly because Boulder County is so eager to recycle. “Boulder people are very conscientious about the footprint they leave,” he says. “We have some of the lowest landfill fees in the country, yet people are willing to take their refuse to recycling areas.”

ReSource’s roots date to Earth Day 1996, when the board of directors consisted of an architect, an interior designer and a builder who stockpiled materials in their garages and held a sale on Earth Day. It was a hit, so they formed a nonprofit organization. Since then, ReSource has joined forces with its parent company, the Center for ReSource Conservation.

Recently, Buss took the time to answer a few questions about ReSource and its contribution to the community. Here are his responses.

Q: Describe ReSource’s mission and philosophy.
A: ReSource is a landfill diversion program that takes building materials from construction and demolition projects and provides them to the general public for reuse. Our primary clientele are do-it-yourself homeowners, but the number of small contractors, artists and small businesses is growing. The two-person-and-a-van contractor can take the time to pick out materials in order to save money.

Q: How does ReSource benefit the community and the environment?
A: Aside from landfill diversion, reusing building materials reduces demand on forest products and other natural resource extraction industries. Selling the materials at 30 to 50 percent of retail allows our customers to stretch their building budgets.

Q: What is the most common misconception about ReSource?
A: Many people think we’re part of the city or county and that we receive public funds to operate. We’re part of a local nonprofit company, the Center for ReSource Conservation, and operate on funds from sales and services. We’re very proud that we’re a stand-alone business that doesn’t require public subsidies.

Q: How should the public best use ReSource?
A: They can purchase quality materials at reduced prices, donate surplus reusable materials for green points or tax deductions, and avail themselves of our deconstruction services.

Q: Please describe a typical day at ReSource.
A: Customers arrive at 8 a.m. to purchase or donate materials and continue to do so throughout the day. Staff processes these materials (removes nails from lumber and similar tasks) and inventories them. We also pick up and deliver materials, and perform soft-strip deconstructions.

Q: Where do ReSource’s materials come from?
A: Deconstruction and remodeling jobs, public drop-off and business surplus, in that order.

Q: What types of materials can people typically find at ReSource?
A: Our biggest sellers are lumber, doors, windows and cabinets. But we also have landscape materials, hardware, tiles, lighting, home décor, masonry, solar panels, flooring and just about anything else that would come out of a house or business. We also have more interest in funky and unique design accents for the home and garden.

Q: What are some unusual items that people might find at ReSource?
A: We’ve had more antique items lately than ever before, from wood-fired cookstoves to furniture and lighting. We also have leftover items from Crossroads Mall, including a 15-foot stainless-steel statue. Old-growth and weathered wood, corrugated steel with a rusty patina, clay roof tiles, skylights, ornamental railings and all sorts of shabby-chic items come through regularly.

Q: Can people call to inquire about items or be placed on a wait list?
A: Yes. We might not be able to answer specific questions because inventory fluctuates daily, but we’re hoping to install a point-of-sale computerized inventory that could be placed on our website. We do take requests and try to call folks back if the item comes in, but we operate on the bird-in-hand principle, which means first come, first served.

Q: If people want a specific item for their home, how long could it take to find it at ReSource?
A: We keep a request book for items currently not in stock and know what materials will be coming in from upcoming deconstructions, so we try to help folks as best we can if we don’t have the item.

Q: What three tips do you suggest for people to optimize their ReSource experience?
A: First, take measurements and make a list. Second, give yourself time to find the materials. Third, keep an open mind.

Q: Does ReSource barter, trade or bargain, or does it charge set fees?
A: ReSource materials are priced at 30 to 50 percent of retail, depending upon their condition. The sales staff has the discretion to reduce the price for large-quantity purchases, nonprofits or to simply move inventory. However, we do not trade materials.

Q: What expectations should people have when they visit ReSource?
A: It’s best to maintain an active imagination. Our best customer experiences have been serendipitous.

Q: What would the public be surprised to discover that you carry?
A: Our biggest “new” product will be furniture we’ll manufacture out of reclaimed wood and other materials. Redwood Adirondack chairs from old decks and other items from reclaimed materials will be available this summer.

Q: What are some treasures you’ve seen pass through during your tenure?
A: Several tons of brand new Mexican travertine tile, ornate fireplace mantels, brand-new windows, door and cabinet packages, custom doghouses, antique woodworking tools, safes, petrified wood, Ludowicci roof tiles and corbels. We’ve even had a few ski gondolas from Vail.

But the best, in my opinion, was my wife, Kristin Shewfelt. I met her at the yard during my second week of work. She was environmental program director for McStain at the time and we invited her to attend a round-table workshop on construction waste. She came to the yard to see who we were and it was love at first sight for me.

Q: Is there a better time or season to visit for the best selection?
A: Generally, spring is the best season, because that’s when many people start their projects. Summer and fall are also busy, with things slowing down a bit in winter.

Q: Does stock vary by season?
A: It does. We receive more landscaping materials in the spring when people are redoing their yards. Fence panels show up after big windstorms. Generally speaking, though, our inventory grows more during new housing slumps, when remodeling or adding on takes precedent over new construction.

Q: What’s the best thing about ReSource and why should the community use it?
A: The primary reason is because we can help save you thousands of dollars on your building project. The fact that it’s a unique shopping experience that has environmental benefits certainly complements that.

Copyright 2005 Brock Publishing Company
homes@brockpub.com