<p>ReSource St. Louis recently launched its newly renovated materials exchange website &ndash; <a href="http://www.resourcestlouis.org">www.resourcestlouis.org</a> &ndash; offering architects, engineers, general contractors, facility professionals and others with a means to exchange construction and demolition materials, such as carpet, lumber, fixtures, and tile. <br /><br /><img alt="Resource St. Louis" class="image-left" height="303" src="/images/uploads/resource-st-louis.jpg" style="float: left;" width="266" />ReSource St. Louis is the region&rsquo;s only materials exchange website &ndash; a free, online tool focused primarily on commercial construction and demolition waste.&nbsp; Its dynamic database platform features quick posting of materials, automatic notification when materials match a user's request, and tracking of the total tonnage of materials diverted over time. Diverting materials from local landfills addresses both economic and environmental concerns for the both providers and recipients of materials.<br /><br />Since launching in 2006, everything from gently used carpet to office furniture and overstock lighting has found new homes through the online though the site. This winter, a grant from the St. Louis/Jefferson County Solid Waste District, the website has been revitalized to make it easier to navigate and use.<br /><br />More than 6,000 items were posted on the ReSource St. Louis Materials Exchange in 2008, including used bleachers, kitchen cabinets and landscaping pavers.</p>
<p>Feedback from the site includes:<br /><br />"As a new small business owner, it was a huge find!... I saved approximately $3,500 on flooring. I even put carpet in areas that I had planned to put laminate because there was so much available." ( fitness center owner)<br /><br />"It keeps all that out of the landfill, $2,000 worth of furniture.... Whenever I see a good idea like that, I take every opportunity I can to promote it." (sustainability consultant)<br /><br />&ldquo;If we had to go out and buy all this furniture we have, it would have cost us so much money.... (The Materials Exchange) is a great opportunity for start-ups." (homebuilder)<br /><br />According to Buildings.com: <br />&bull; In the U.S., total building-related construction and demolition waste is estimated to be 135.5 million tons a year &ndash; that&rsquo;s 30% of the total waste stream! <br />&bull; The average new construction project yields 3.9 pounds of waste per square foot. <br />&bull; The average building demolition yields 155 pounds of waste per square foot. <br />&bull; Three of the largest waste compounds on most job sites &ndash; cardboard, wood and drywall together make up 75% of construction waste &ndash; are fully recyclable.</p>