For the past two decades, reuse organization Stardust Building Supplies has asked Valley residents and the construction industry to rethink their waste and engage in sustainable building practices such as deconstruction and the reuse of reclaimed building materials.

For many, Stardust’s three Valley home improvement thrift stores in Mesa, North Phoenix and Glendale are a valuable resource for finding salvaged and gently-used building material for their DIY projects. Recent stock at the Mesa location included a stainless steel GE double wall oven for $400, sold new for more than $1,800; a set of 125 year old antique French doors for $900, originally purchased by the donors for $3,000; and complete kitchen cabinet sets for under $2,000.

For others, it’s an environment-friendly way to discard their excess or unwanted building materials such as tile, cabinets, light fixtures, appliances and other items. Stardust even offers a free deconstruction service that salvages the interior and exterior of homes prior to renovation. A green alternative to conventional demolition, deconstruction disassembles a home’s major components for reuse.

Since its founding in 1997, the organization has made a positive impact on the Phoenix Metro area by: diverting nearly 80 million pounds of usable building materials from the landfill; serving over 54,000 customers per year with affordable reclaimed items; , and providing nearly $21 million of household items to hundreds of nonprofit organizations through its Gifts In Kind program. This reach led to Stardust being awarded the Environmental Award by the EPA’s Pacific Southwest Region for their commitment to zero waste.

To celebrate these achievements, Stardust Building Supplies will host Salvage This! on Friday, April 28 at its Mesa warehouse with an evening of beer and wine tastings, appetizers, hands-on upcycling projects, silent auction, and a special presentation honoring local philanthropist and Stardust Founder, Jerry Bisgrove. The event is free and open to the public to attend.