ReUse Center, Minneapolis, MN

The first of the stories I shot in the Twin Cities ran a little while ago. It was an Environment story about stores that sell salvaged and donated building materials, like the Re-Use Center in Minneapolis. My two favorite photos weren't chosen for print or web, so I decided to post them here.

You should also read Matt Shaer's article and see the photos that ran online.



This is Jamie Heipel, the executive director of the Green Institute. This portrait ran in print and online. He says Re-Use Center has kept 41,000 tons of waste out of landfills. Cool guy, huh?


Above is builder Jason Decheine, who was at the Re-Use Center buying a door for a renovation client. Jeremy Maxwell-Parish, the employee in red, helped him choose a door that he could modify to fit the opening.



Jeremy and Jason proceeded to dig through a corrugated box of assorted metal items until they found a this complete doorknob to fit the door. In the end, the builder paid $25. Customizing a door for the space would have cost over $250 otherwise, and this Victorian-style door that they estimated is from the 20's or 30's would have just gone to a landfill. The donor gets a tax deduction, everyone leaves happy!