Did you know that Community Forklift has successfully completed Co-op America's screening process for socially and environmentally responsible green businesses? We are now in their National Green Pages™ directory!
What We Do
The problem: When producing new building materials, serious environmental damage is caused by harvesting, mining, and transportation across continents. Then, we fill our landfills and incinerators with the old stuff – construction and demolition debris makes up OVER HALF of our nation’s solid waste! Contractors and manufacturers need to clear out leftovers and excess inventory, and have to throw away brand new items. During renovations, homeowners often have to toss out perfectly good things, like gently-used cabinets or appliances.
The solution: Building material reuse is an alternative that just makes sense! Donors can avoid dumping fees, and earn tax deductions. Part of our inventory comes from deconstruction, in which a building is carefully taken apart by skilled laborers instead of demolished. This creates jobs, and can cost less than traditional demolition. Instead of paying dumping fees, property owners earn tax deductions. Construction careers are created through job training in deconstruction. The materials can be sold cheaply, so homeowners and small businesses can afford repairs – making neighborhoods cleaner and safer. We are also a resource for nonprofits, churches, and temples that fix up homes for the elderly or disadvantaged. Schools, artists, and theatre groups can buy low-cost art materials or props. Renovators can find antique trim to preserve historic buildings. Local governments receive less debris at landfills and incinerators, saving money and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Everyone benefits from less waste and a cleaner environment!
Our Goals
Community Forklift aims to:
- Lift up communities by making repairs and renovation more affordable for everyone in the community - homeowners, small businesses, charitable groups, etc.
- Reduce construction industry waste, keep reusable materials out of the landfill, and reduce the mining and harvesting of dwindling natural resources.
- Promote environmentally-friendly building materials and methods
- Develop career opportunities for nearby residents.
Our products
Surplus materials are new, sometimes still in the original packaging. Homeowners, contractors, or manufacturers donate them due to changes in project plans, excess materials, ordering mistakes, minor flaws, or discontinued brands.
Salvaged materials have been used, and still have useful life left in them. Most of our salvaged items come from remodeling projects. Many also come from Deconstruction Services, a company that takes buildings apart carefully rather than bulldozing them. Deconstruction is a growing industry that creates jobs and conserves natural resources, and it can cost the same or less than traditional demolition. Our inventory changes every day, but we usually have cabinets, radiators, lumber, trim, flooring, plumbing fixtures, paint, glass, doors, windows, lighting, appliances, HVAC, landscaping materials, and more!
New Green Materials are environmentally friendly items. We carry Nature Neutral products, including recycled cotton insulation, low VOC and low odor paints and sealants, and sustainably harvested lumber. They contain significantly fewer toxins and cause less pollution, so they better for your health and our world.
By donating to Community Forklift, you avoid dumping fees AND receive a tax deduction!
Building material donations can be made during store hours up until half an hour before we close. Call 301-985-5180 to find out what we’re currently accepting, or click HERE for more details.
Donating financial support or volunteer time are greatly appreciated as well. Please call 301-985-5180, or email Ruthie@CommunityForklift.com for more information.
Your donations will support:
- Material reuse and waste reduction
- Community revitalization
- Public education about green building
- Sustainable development activities
- Small business incubation & job creation
- Preservation of historic materials
Call: 301-985-5180. To leave information about possible material donations: use extension 2
Email: To send us information and pictures of your possible donations use: donations@communityforklift.com,
for everything else use: info@communityforklift.com.
Visit: 4671 Tanglewood Drive, Edmonston, MD 20781
Directions: 5 minutes from DC in Prince George's County
Hours: Wednesday noon - 7pm, and Thursday through Saturday 9am - 5pm
Copyright © 2005-2009 Community Forklift