The latest climate report from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), states that “Global warming is dangerously close to spiraling out of control” and humans are “unequivocally” to blame. Of necessity, society must drastically change our consumption and disposal habits. The Green Mission Inc., and our sister company Probity Appraisal Group work, in our corner of the world, to assist with a much-needed paradigm shift from shiny-and-new to gorgeous-and-pre-owned. 1
Construction waste is slated to reach 2.2 billion tons globally by 2025. Annually, 40% of national waste is estimated to be from Construction & Demolition (C&D), with 600 million tons created in 2018, charting a 342% increase from 1990 to 2018.2 These trends are expected to increase as society has not yet curbed our national appetite for consuming, demolishing and dumping. Serious steps need to be taken, in every avenue of our lives, to change this trajectory.
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We Have Too Much Junk
It seems that new storage facilities are popping up everywhere, with a current estimate of 52,000 facilities nation-wide, double the number from two decades ago. Additionally, our homes have increased in size approximately 23% during the same timeframe according to the Harvard Joint Center for Housing Studies.4 We have too much junk. In the age of instant click-and-buy, we are amassing more things than ever before. With the ease of ordering coupled with the cheap prices, almost every house you pass will have a delivery box or two by the front door. Colleges have seen packages increase 325% over the past decade. We need to integrate a new mind-set into our daily and professional lives when it comes to amassing property.
Renovations, Remodeling and New Construction
Incorporating classic pieces into modern projects brings vintage flare to contemporary design, with significant cost savings. Many pre-owned materials and property are of higher quality than the cheaper pieces on the primary retail market. High-end appliance manufacturers create pieces made to last decades unlike the built-in obsolescence of lower-valued brands. Homeowners can often purchase a gently used appliance manufactured by high-end retailers Miele, Wolf, or Viking for less than the new price of a lower-quality brand. The same goes for furnishings. Purchasing a mid-century modern style mahogany desk for a few hundred dollars brings a stylish piece to a home or office that was built to last. With solid interior secondary wood and sturdy joinery, these pieces can endure much longer than the cardboard-like interiors of newer desks, that might cost 3 times more than a classic piece.
Integrate Pre-owned within Various Settings
When furnishing an apartment, dorm, or new home, check out the secondary market first. Thrift and antique stores, online secondary retailers like eBay, nonprofit salvage shops, and other secondary retail market conduits can often provide everything needed for a new space in every category: kitchen supplies, storage containers, linens, drapery, appliances, cabinetry, and furnishings, to name a few.
Moving onto larger projects, new construction can incorporate classic architecturally salvaged building materials and elements into new construction including lumber, doors, windows, bathroom vanities, and lighting. With raw materials, especially lumber, currently at exponentially high prices, this could save tens of thousands on projects. Lumber prices are currently up 288% and the demand is directly resulting in increased deforestation. 5
When furnishing either a home or corporate office, always start on the secondary retail market. Pieces like authentic Herman Miller chairs, solid walnut partner’s desks, Art Deco styled credenzas and other high-quality and fashionable pieces can create a stylish contemporary office space for a fraction of the price.
Donate Do Not Dump!
When completing a home renovation or remodel, always consider donating rather than dumping. Donating to an organization creates recirculation of materials and property making a dent in landfill usage. Not only does this aid the circular economy but substantial savings are enjoyed when transportation and dump tipping fees are avoided. Additionally, many organizations will retrieve the donated materials and property for low or no-cost to the owner.
These donations can be recirculated through the secondary retail market, bringing gorgeous pieces to new owners at affordable prices. Additionally, many organizations support missions ranging from workforce development, drug treatment programs, and special needs adult support services. Organizations can use funds from selling the property to support expansive missions including animal welfare, early childhood education, college scholarships and a host of other worthy endeavors.
Tax Deductions for Donations
Donating property to a qualified 501(c)(3) or governmental entity allows the donor to deduct the IRS defined Fair Market Value. If the donation exceeds $5,000, the IRS requires an IRS defined Qualified Appraisal by a Qualified Appraiser. Donating and being done can often beat selling property when the selling time, fees, and potential non-sales or lower priced sales are evaluated and considered. The value of a donation is dependent upon a taxpayer’s effective (average) tax rate as well as the state’s effective tax rate, for the majority of states allowing deductions for non-cash charitable contributions. Additionally, the taxpayer must itemize deductions with limitations applying at different rates for individuals and corporations.6 Both The Green Mission Inc. and Probity Appraisal Group provide the requisite IRS appraisals, the former for deconstructed building materials and property and the latter for fine art, furnishings, antiques and other personal property.
Donate!
Consider donation even without a tax deduction. This provides additional donation routes to for-profit conduits of sale on the secondary retail market as well as nonprofits. The key to curbing these catastrophic climate and societal trends is to start making the paradigm shift now and in every part of our personal and professional life.
Reach out to our team for more information on donating materials and other property to charity as well as the appraisal process.
Reference Links:
1 https://www.ipcc.ch/report/ar6/wg1/
3 https://www.codegreenhouston.org/construction-and-demolition
6 Individuals and pass-through entities can deduct 50% of their Adjusted Gross Income in non-cash charitable contributions with a 5-year carryforward. Corporations can deduct 10% of their net income (with specific add-backs) with the same 5-year carryforward.
