This page lists a few of my favorite links for salvage stores and recyclers, many with a gardening or textile component. If you would like to suggest a link, please email me!  

Aurora Glass
There was a small mountain of glass growing off I-5 near Portland, Oregon and it needed to go somewhere... St. Vincent de Paul took note, and from that the Aurora Glass Foundry was born. Aurora Glass has become an innovative resource for the community, recycling old windows and other waste glass. All profits aid the homeless and low-income through emergency services, housing, and job training.

Bedrock Industries
Another 100% recycled and handmade art glass company, this one in Seattle, Washington. They have a wonderful tradition of making heart shaped glass stones for lover's to skip across the waters of Puget Sound, every Valentine's Day from 3-7 PM at Godlen Gardens Park. They also use 100% recyclable materials for product packaging and shipping. Bedrock Industries is a for-profit company and operates several community-based programs including a bottle drive for the parents and students of a local elementary school. Earnings from the school drive have helped to pay for student field trips and other educational activities.

The Re-Store
Their booth at the Seattle Garden Show a few years back was one of my favorites. Their non-profit used building material stores in Bellingham and Ballard Washington are dedicated to preventing still useable building materials from going to waste. Their licensed and bonded deconstruction crews can salvage up to 80% of building materials for re-use and re-cycle. Other services include salvage and materials removal and garden salvage.

Second Use
Second Use Building Materials strives to divert reusable building materials from the landfill, thereby preserving resources and providing cost-effective supplies for Northwest.homeowners, contractors and artists. Their location in the South Seattle takes advantage of their proximity to local landfill, by raising awareness on waste and reuse. They also have a boutique area that includes many older lights, bath fixtures, hardware, and stained glass, which reflect the architectural history of Seattle and the region.

By the Yard Inc.
As seen at the Seattle Garden Show 2005, this virtually indestructible lawn furniture is made from recycled milk jugs! Their product requires no painting, does not need to be stored in the winter, is UV stabilized, ideal for desert and coastal climates, and comes in six colors. Their decking has been in use commercially for nearly 30 years. . The company is based out of Jordan Minnesota.

Green Roofs
A green roof system is an extension of the existing roof which involves a high quality water proofing and root repellant system, a drainage system, filter cloth, a lightweight growing medium and plants. It has been used in Northern Europe for several years and is slowly starting to introduce itself to the US as an eco-friendly architectural element. Green roof technologies not only provide the owners of buildings with a proven return on investment, but also represent opportunities for significant social, economic and environmental benefits, particularly in cities.

Green Huts - NEW
A blog out of the UK with a focus on improving the efficiency of buildings and maximizing their efficient use of energy, water and materials.

Seattle Garden Art Salvage Company
Located at 14706 Highway 99 North in Lynnwood Washington. Hours are 11 AM - 5 PM, closed Tuesday and Wednesday. No published phone or website, but the ad I picked up at a garden show lists fountains, containers, religious, statuary, bird baths, benches, Asian and a myriad of other thngs.

Envirohaul - NEW
The Green Place for Waste. Concerned about the footprint we leave on the planet, and believing that ethics in business will make the world a much better place, Envirohaul strives to set the standard for socially and environmentally responsible waste removal and disposal solutions. The company's founder, John Loyd, was recently featured in Seattle Metropolitan Magazine.

OurEarth.org
OurEarth.org, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) non-profit environmental organization based in Baltimore, MD. Their purpose is to raise awareness, educate the public, and ultimately make it easier for everyone to be environmentally responsible through their website which enables individuals, organizations, and communities from across the country to share environmental information and ideas.

Wholly Rags
Wholly Rags mission is "to piece together and rethread the fabric of our community, gathering the cloth of the past to conserve the culture of the future." They maintain the Taos New Mexico Community Free Box, where textiles are gathered for reuse in the form of donations to needy people and disaster victims in need of clothing. They also research new products from textile waste, including paper, insulation and construction materials.

PetSmart Charities
Mail in your empty inkjet cartridge or used cell phone, and PetSmart Charities receives a $2 -$15 per piece donation to suppors their homeless pet programs in the US. Visit your nearest PetSmart Store and look for their Charities recycling displayrack to pick up a free postage paid pre-addressed envelope, or contact me and I will send one to you. I also include an envelope with every hat order.

Eco Encore
Eco Encore raises funds for environmental organizations in the Pacific Northwest through the online resale of books, CDs, DVDs and software donated by individuals and academic institutions around the country, while increasing awareness of reuse as a vital practice for resource conservation and waste reduction.

Group Health Pharmacy Medication Disposal
Now you can dispose of your expired OTC and prescription medications in an environmentally friendly way through Group Health Cooperatives. This program is funded through government and private sources through the end of 2008. You may also call the Washington State Department of Ecology hotline (800-732-9253) for additional resources.

The National Recycling Coalition
The National Recycling Coalition is a membership organization dedicated to maximizing recycling. The NRC, through a cooperative agreement with the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) provides a searchable database of recyclers, reuse organizations, and municipal programs that accept electronic equipment.

Rechargeable Battery Recycling Corporation
The RBRC is sponsored by manufacturers of rechargeable batteries and the appliances that use them, including cordless power tools, cellular and cordless phones, laptop computers, camcorders, digital cameras, and remote control toys. RBRC recycles the following battery chemistries: Nickel Cadmium (Ni-Cd), Nickel Metal Hydride (Ni-MH), Lithium Ion (Li-ion) and Small Sealed Lead* (Pb). RBRC is dedicated to keeping rechargeable batteries and cell phones out of our nation’s solid waste stream and preserving natural resources. "If it's rechargeable, it's recyclable..."