Western New York's Largest Supplier of Reclaimed & Surplus Building Material

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A Community of Doers, Part I – Are you a bicycle entrepreneur?

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So, a month or two ago, we posted about our vision for an artisan center on the East Side of Buffalo.  Well we’re excited that our vision is beginning to take shape…we have lots of ideas and lots of hopes for our humble little warehouse located at 298 Northampton Street. Over the next few weeks, we’re gonna share with you some ideas we’ve had about “dream tenants” . . . entrepreneurs, artists, artisans . . . who provide a service to the community and/or are interested in a community art space.  The focus is really on creating and doing. So … Read more

People ask us . . . Why Do You Do What You Do?

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From our About page: Question: People ask us . . . Why Do You Do What You Do? (WDYDWYD?) Answer 1: Jobs! We’re committed to creating local and green jobs for the Buffalo community. More importantly, we feel these jobs should leverage the waste in our society to create opportunity. We’re interested in a critical analysis of our economy to identify wasteful business practices that damage our communities and our environment, and opportunities that exist for new ventures. We’re determined to find solutions and to implement alternatives that put people to work. Answer 2: Innovation! As we look at the … Read more

Action Hoodies!

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We’ve finally admitted…it’s getting cold.  Working outside all day or in a cold warehouse, we admit that the ReUse Action t-shirts simply do not cut it anymore.  We need something WARM and COZY! Voila!  Our desire for warm clothes has been heard.  Say hello to the the super-cool ReUse Action HOODIES!  Doesn’t it just look so fabulous on our friend Nora?  Email Michael@reuseaction.com to put in a request for a hoodie today!  $15/sweatshirt, please specify size (Medium fits most small to medium size gals, so men…order L or XL…)  

The waterfront story continues…

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As the summer ends and winter approaches, we finished the final touches on the waterfront food kiosk “Clinton’s Dish.”  We boarded her up for the season, installing beautiful storm shutters that were made in the Rusted Grain woodshop at Action HQ!  Like the siding, our materials for the storms were locally sourced: yellow pine flooring that was salvaged by the Green Demo Team during a green demolition project taking place in South Buffalo.  The aged boards were refaced and stained, becoming an awesome addition to the local flavor of Buffalo’s newest waterfront building.  Speaking of flavor…can’t wait ’til they come … Read more

Find of the Week: Sept 29th

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As usual, the Green Demo Team brought in some pretty neat stuff this past week.  The crew is working on a barn deconstruction in Lockport and all voted that the old wagon that was salvaged was by far the best find.  The barn doors were awesome, the antique hooks beautiful, but the wagon surpasses all because it is so simply built, yet elegant and strong.  Thought we’d share it with our readers to enjoy!    

Buy online!

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The Green Demo crew brings more and more reclaimed materials into Action HQ everyday.  The question becomes, what will we do with it? Do we reuse it as is? Can we salvage the good parts?  Or better yet, lets get our creative juices flowing and make new items from old stuff! We are now selling our creations online.  Included in every purchase is a short introduction to the woodworker or artist who made the piece along with a story of where the material used came from.  Below are some first examples, but keep your eyes peeled and check the website … Read more

Selling @ Roswell Market!

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We are now selling goods made in our woodshop at the Roswell farmer’s market.  Wednesdays 11-2pm, in the park off of Oak St.  It’s a small market, but with so much diversity of goods!  Come check us out and chat with us about our green demo services and our fully stocked woodshop.

Workshop: making wooden bottle openers

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Kids are reading less, people use e-books more, and libraries are scrambling for what to do about it.  One common solution is to close libraries and get rid of books (sound familiar Buffalo?).   Instead, one library in British Columbia is changing the way we think about libraries; they have a collection of “living books,” local experts, who have volunteered to share their knowledge on specific subjects.  Want to know about the history of the circus? Want to learn a certain painting technique?  “Check out” a living expert that will meet with you to discuss your topic of interest!  Libraries remain … Read more

Women in the trades

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Working in an industry where females comprise only 3% of the workforce can be rough, especially in a blue-collar town like Buffalo.  I see behavior and overhear conversations everyday that show me society’s stereotypical female and male roles are very much alive and kicking. Yelled from below while reroofing my aunt’s porch: “All women crew?  Where’s your man to do that?” From a foreman on another crew: “A girl in charge today?  You’re too pretty to get dirty!  You should be in a nice office somewhere, not here supervising dirty boys! This is 2011.  And yet, as a woman in … Read more

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