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. Our inventory changes every day, but we usually have cabinets, tools, hardware, radiators, lumber, trim, flooring, plumbing fixtures, paint, doors, windows, lighting, appliances, HVAC, landscaping materials, and more!

Architectural Salvage and Specialty Items To satisfy the demand for more valuable, unusual items, we also have products from consignment partners. This includes antique light fixtures, vintage décor, ironware, primitives, and more in our Salvage Arts department; raw-edge hardwood planks from Treincarnation; handcrafted granite tables, radiator shelves, and other items from Rox Produx, and reconditioned appliances from Alco Repair.

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

Store Phone: 301-985-5180 *** Donations Phone: 301-832-0781 *** Fax: 301-985-5182
Email: To inquire about donating materials, please fill out the form on our donations page.
To send us pictures of materials you would like to donate, use: Donations(at)CommunityForklift(dot)com
For media inquiries, please use: Ruthie(at)CommunityForklift(dot)com
For everything else use: Info(at)CommunityForklift(dot)com
Visit: 4671 Tanglewood Drive, Edmonston, MD 20781  
Directions: 5 minutes from DC in Prince George's County
Hours: Tuesday: noon-6pm; Wednesday, Thursday, & Friday: 10am - 6pm; Saturday & Sunday 9am - 6pm
Copyright © 2005-2013 Community Forklift