Turning something used into something new

Posted on 12/27/2017 by Greater Austin Chamber of Commerce

Austin Habitat for Humanity ReStore wins Greater Austin Business Award for environmental reuse efforts that build affordable communities in Central Texas

For more than 20 years, the Austin Habitat for Humanity ReStore has served the Austin community by helping fund the building of affordable homes for families and promoting environmentally friendly efforts throughout the region.

Originally the first of its kind in the United States, the store has diverted more than 21 million pounds of excessive waste from ever reaching Austin landfills since 1992. Due to their efforts, the Austin Habitat for Humanity ReStore won the Brookfield Environmental Friendly Award. The accolade – a category of the Greater Austin Business Awards program – recognizes businesses that demonstrate a commitment to environmentally sound practices.

“Since its opening in 1992, our ReStore is the epitome of a successful environmentally friendly practice in the region,” said Phyllis Snodgrass, CEO of Austin Habitat for Humanity. “Not only does the ReStore repurpose materials that would end up in our landfills but it also builds up our community. Every donation received for used materials helps Austin Habitat for Humanity build affordable homes in the region.”

The Austin Habitat for Humanity ReStore has saved local taxpayers more than $4,000 a year by recycling hazardous waste such as used paint, aerosols, and chemicals, instead of paying the city to have them burned off. The store also runs on less electricity—254 kilowatts of solar power—through panels on top of the roof.

The Austin Habitat for Humanity ReStore provides free monthly community workshops that teach residents to learn how to upcycle materials and how to grow their own food. The ReStore continually partners with local businesses, developers, contractors, and furniture stores to keep reusable items out of landfills.

For more information on the Austin Habitat for Humanity ReStore, visit their website here.


Pictured (left to right): Ellen Wood, Chair of the Greater Austin Chamber of Commerce; Justin Murrill, Senior Manager of Corporate Responsibility of AMD; Hal Roberts of Lettuce Networks; Yogesh Sharma of Lettuce Networks; Bob Gregory, Co-Owner, President, and CEO of Texas Disposal Systems; Phyllis Snodgrass, CEO of Austin Habitat for Humanity; Amanda Castroverde of TreeHouse; TreeHouse team; Rachel Podhorn of Treehouse; and Jessica King of Brookfield Residential.

Photo Credit: @AustinReStore


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