ZERO WASTE

photos by Alan Berner

THE ALTERNATIVE for these cabinets could have been a landfill.

These sturdy, fir units were pulled out of a 1930s Medina home that was going to be torn down. RE Store staff salvaged multiple gems for reuse and resale from the massive, 7,400-square-foot home, including more than 75 windows, 25 doors, original glass doorknobs, oak flooring and a claw-foot tub. Eight truckloads in all.

Four cabinets were saved, and all likely were original to the home. Whoever gets these beauties could strip the paint to expose the natural wood.

The RE Store typically takes on three to five home-deconstruction projects each year, with the goal of sending 1 percent of a structure's materials to the landfill. Roughly half of a home's materials are salvaged, and the other half gets recycled. Costs to go this route are generally higher than complete demolition, but homeowners or contractors can get tax deductions from donating the salvaged items. The deconstruction process also offsets costs at the landfill.

The price to deconstruct a home varies based on location, types of materials, the time it takes and the crews' access in the home. If you're facing a building tear-down, consider contacting the RE Store for an estimate.

For sale: Two corner, triangular-shaped cabinets are going for $250 each. Two rectangular cabinets with doors are priced at $400 apiece.

Dimensions: The corner cabinets are about 8 ½ feet tall, 2 ½ feet wide and 2 feet deep. The rectangular cabinets are about 5 feet tall, 3 ½ feet wide and 1 ½ feet deep.

Find it: The Seattle RE Store is at 1440 N.W. 52nd St. Visit www.re-store.org or call the Seattle store at 206-297-9119 for more information about salvages and home deconstruction.

Michelle Ma is a Seattle-based freelance writer. Alan Berner is a Seattle Times staff photographer.