Sustainability
Environmental responsibility isn't just part of our business - it is our business.
Let's Build Something Sustainable Together
Whether you need reclaimed beams for a renovation or want to sell salvaged lumber, our team is ready to help. Fill out the form and we'll respond within 24 hours.
“Every board we reclaim is a step toward a greener Los Angeles.”
— Rafael Cortez, Founder
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Our Environmental Impact
Real numbers from real operations. Here's what our reclamation efforts have achieved since we opened our doors.
Board Feet Reclaimed
Trees Preserved
CO2 Emissions Avoided
Waste Diverted from Landfills
Carbon Footprint: The Full Picture
Choosing reclaimed lumber over new lumber has a profound impact on carbon emissions. Here's a detailed breakdown of how the carbon math works when you choose reclaimed.
↑New Lumber Carbon Cost
Every piece of newly harvested lumber carries a significant carbon burden from harvesting through delivery. The following estimates are per 1,000 board feet.
↓Reclaimed Lumber Carbon Cost
Reclaimed lumber avoids nearly all of the carbon costs of new lumber. The only emissions come from the minimal processing needed to repurpose the wood.
Net Carbon Benefit
For every 1,000 board feet of reclaimed lumber you choose over new:
That's equivalent to driving 1,280 fewer miles in a typical passenger car, or the carbon sequestered by 14 mature trees over an entire year.
Waste Diversion: Year by Year
Every year we grow, more lumber stays out of landfills. Here's our track record of diverting construction waste into productive, beautiful building materials.
Total Tons Diverted
Total Board Feet Reclaimed
Avg. Year-over-Year Growth
Our Sustainability Pillars
Circular Economy
We keep wood in productive use for as long as possible. Our buy-back programs, recycling services, and reclamation processes ensure lumber circulates rather than accumulates in landfills. We accept old lumber from demolition sites, renovation projects, and individuals, giving it new life through careful processing and resale.
Carbon Reduction
Every piece of reclaimed lumber avoids the carbon emissions of harvesting, transporting, and milling new wood. Plus, the carbon already stored in the wood stays locked away instead of being released. Mature trees store an average of 48 lbs of CO2 per year — by reducing the demand for new harvesting, we help keep forests standing and sequestering carbon.
Green Operations
Our facility runs on solar power. Our delivery fleet uses biodiesel and hybrid vehicles. Even our office uses recycled paper and zero-waste practices. We have invested in energy-efficient equipment across our milling shop and use a closed-loop water recycling system to minimize consumption during processing.
Community & Education
We partner with schools, nonprofits, and community organizations to educate about sustainable building practices and provide affordable materials for housing projects. Through workshops, yard tours, and material donations, we aim to make sustainability accessible to everyone in the Los Angeles area.
Impact Comparisons: Reclaimed vs. New
To put our impact in perspective, here's how choosing reclaimed lumber compares to buying new lumber for a typical residential project using 2,000 board feet.
Trees Preserved
Reclaimed
8 mature trees stay standing
New Lumber
8 trees harvested and processed
Each preserved tree continues to absorb CO2 and provide habitat for decades.
CO2 Emissions
Reclaimed
Net negative: -660 lbs CO2
New Lumber
1,600 lbs CO2 produced
Total swing of 2,260 lbs CO2 — like taking a car off the road for 3 months.
Water Usage
Reclaimed
~200 gallons
New Lumber
~10,800 gallons
Over 10,000 gallons saved — enough to fill a residential swimming pool.
Landfill Waste
Reclaimed
5,000 lbs diverted from landfill
New Lumber
Processing waste: ~800 lbs to landfill
2.5 tons of material given new life instead of rotting in a landfill.
Energy Consumed
Reclaimed
~1.2 million BTU
New Lumber
~8.5 million BTU
Over 85% less energy consumed in processing and preparation.
Old-Growth Quality
Reclaimed
Dense, tight-grained old-growth wood
New Lumber
Fast-growth plantation wood
Reclaimed wood often comes from timber 80-150+ years old, offering superior density and character.
Certifications & Standards
We hold ourselves to the highest standards. Our operations are verified by leading environmental and industry certifications.
LEED Material Supplier
U.S. Green Building Council
Our reclaimed lumber qualifies for LEED credits in multiple categories including Materials & Resources (MR) and Regional Priority credits. We provide all documentation needed for your LEED project submissions.
FSC Certified Reclaimed
Forest Stewardship Council
Our reclaimed lumber operation carries FSC certification for reclaimed wood products. This ensures chain-of-custody tracking and confirms the wood has been responsibly sourced from post-consumer or post-industrial sources.
CalRecycle Certified
California Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery
We are a certified waste diversion facility with the state of California, recognized for our contribution to meeting the state's ambitious 75% recycling goal through construction and demolition debris recovery.
NAHB Green Certified
National Association of Home Builders
Our products meet NAHB Green Building Standard requirements for residential construction. Builders using our materials can earn points toward green building certification for their projects.
South Coast AQMD Compliant
South Coast Air Quality Management District
Our milling and processing operations meet all South Coast AQMD air quality standards. We use dust collection systems and low-VOC finishes to minimize air quality impact in the greater LA area.
LA Green Business
City of Los Angeles
Certified as an LA Green Business by the City of Los Angeles for our environmental practices, energy efficiency, water conservation, waste reduction, and community engagement efforts.
Environmental Partnerships
We believe in collective action. We proudly partner with these organizations to amplify our environmental impact beyond our own operations.
TreePeople
Community PartnerWe collaborate with TreePeople on urban forestry initiatives throughout Los Angeles. For every 5,000 board feet we reclaim, we fund the planting of 10 new trees in underserved LA neighborhoods through their programs. Since 2020, this partnership has resulted in over 350 new trees planted.
LA Conservation Corps
Training PartnerWe host young adults from the LA Conservation Corps for hands-on training in sustainable woodworking and deconstruction techniques. Participants gain certifications in safe lumber handling and sustainable building practices. Over 80 Corps members have trained at our facility.
Habitat for Humanity Los Angeles
Material DonorWe donate thousands of board feet of reclaimed lumber annually to Habitat for Humanity LA for their affordable housing construction projects. Our materials help keep construction costs down while adding character and durability to new homes for families in need.
Surfrider Foundation
Corporate SponsorAs a corporate sponsor of the Surfrider Foundation's LA chapter, we support their efforts to protect our coastline. Keeping construction waste out of landfills reduces runoff and pollution that eventually reaches our beaches and ocean.
UCLA Sustainability Innovation Lab
Research CollaboratorWe work with UCLA researchers studying the lifecycle environmental impact of reclaimed building materials. Our operations serve as a case study for circular economy research, and we implement findings from their studies into our processes.
South LA Building Healthy Communities
Community AllyWe support South LA Building Healthy Communities by providing affordable building materials for community improvement projects, contributing to neighborhood beautification efforts, and hosting educational workshops on sustainable renovation.
Sustainability Goals & Roadmap
We're always pushing forward. Here's our roadmap for deepening our environmental commitment over the coming years.
2025
In Progress- Achieve 1,000 tons of annual waste diversion
- Install additional solar capacity to achieve 100% renewable energy for facility operations
- Launch a customer take-back program for offcuts and unused lumber
- Transition 50% of delivery fleet to fully electric vehicles
2026
Planned- Reclaim 750,000 board feet in a single year
- Partner with 5 additional community organizations for material donation programs
- Achieve zero waste certification for our main facility
- Publish our first annual sustainability impact report
2027
Planned- Expand to a second reclamation facility in the greater LA area
- Achieve carbon-negative operations across all business activities
- Launch an apprenticeship program for sustainable deconstruction trades
- Divert a cumulative 10,000 tons of waste since founding
2030
Vision- Become the largest reclaimed lumber supplier on the West Coast
- Fully electric delivery fleet
- Fund the planting of 10,000 trees through partner organizations
- Establish a reclaimed lumber research and education center
Community Programs
Sustainability is not just about materials — it's about people. These programs connect our environmental mission with real community benefit.
Free Yard Tours
First Saturday of every month
Open tours of our reclamation facility. See how we process, grade, and prepare reclaimed lumber. Learn about species identification and the environmental benefits of reclaiming wood. Tours last approximately 45 minutes and are open to the public.
DIY Workshops
Monthly, check our schedule
Hands-on workshops where community members learn to build with reclaimed wood. Projects have included planter boxes, shelving, picture frames, and small furniture pieces. All materials and tools are provided. Workshops are offered at no cost.
Contractor Education Series
Quarterly
Multi-day sessions for builders and contractors covering sustainable deconstruction practices, LEED material requirements, proper handling of reclaimed materials, and how to incorporate salvaged wood into modern construction.
School Field Trips
By arrangement
We host field trips for K-12 schools, teaching students about sustainability, wood science, and circular economy principles in an engaging, hands-on environment. Students leave with a small reclaimed wood craft they build during the visit.
Material Donation Program
Ongoing
Nonprofits and community organizations can apply for donated reclaimed lumber for qualifying projects. We prioritize affordable housing, community gardens, neighborhood improvement projects, and educational institutions.
Artist Residency
Annual application cycle
Each year we select two local artists for a residency program where they create works using reclaimed lumber. Artists receive free materials, workspace in our facility, and a public exhibition at the end of the residency period.
The Reclaimed Lumber Lifecycle
Rescue
Salvage from demolition & renovation sites
Process
Denail, grade, mill, and prepare
Supply
Distribute to builders & consumers
Build
New construction & renovation projects
Repeat
End-of-life reclamation begins again
Calculate Your Eco Impact
See exactly how much you'll save by choosing reclaimed lumber for your next project. Our eco calculator lets you input your order size and instantly see the environmental benefits.
Try the Eco Calculator