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RE-USE NEWS
Volume Four
Fall 2007
A Newsletter from Home Resource
HOME RESOURCE LAUNCHES
DECONSTRUCTION SERVICES
By Lauren Varney
Home Resource has recently added to its quiver of
services the ability to deconstruct buildings. In February
Jay Schuette, a developer from Missoula, contacted us
about the potential deconstruction of the Georgetown
Lake Lodge and adjoining store. It felt like a huge project
to start out with but we quickly realized it could provide
the necessary catalyst to a vision that Matt and I had
wanted to explore since starting Home Resource.
The 22,000 square foot log lodge was large but of
relatively simple construction. The biggest challenge
would be the height, which at the peak exceeded 40 feet.
In July, after a few months of negotiations, we started the
project with four new employees and a shiny, slightly
used dump trailer we recently purchased. The first two
weeks were spent dismantling the Denton Point Store, a
2500-square-foot flat-roofed structure with a unique
A-framed second story that held an apartment. After
warming up on the smaller structure we then tore into the
lodge with fervor and voracity.
One of the big questions going into this project was how
to get the roof rafters down from their lofty perch. These
weren’t your average rafters either; they were 40 foot logs
that averaged 16 inches in diameter. Did I mention they
were 40 feet off the ground? This is where heavy
equipment becomes necessary—and kinda fun. We rented
an extend-a-boom forklift from H&E Equipment of
Missoula, which has a reach of 45 feet and can lift up to
10,000 lbs. Thus we were able to lower the logs from the
peak one at a time with much care but with speed and
efficiency.
Another big challenge would be getting rid of all the
materials we salvaged. We certainly couldn’t haul them all
back to Missoula, and if we did, where would we put it
all? (Have you seen the yard recently?) The solution was
to run ads in the local papers and sell as much as we could
to the people in the area. It worked beautifully—with
probably over 90% of the materials finding new homes
within a dozen miles of the site. It also gave us a chance to
make friends with many locals and to essentially build
good will in the neighborhood.
Overall this project was a huge success and has been a
great way to allow Home Resource to begin its long
awaited deconstruction services. We’d like to thank the
developers, Jay Schuette and Jon Giulianni, for their
sustainable vision. Also, for the long days at work and
long nights in tents, huge thanks to the decon crew: Jim
Willit, Martin Fahrney, Greg Stewart, Erin Barnes, Jack
Rowan, Abe Coley, and Scott Colpitz.
A spectacular view of Montana’s “big sky” opened up after the new Deconstruction
Crew removed the roof from Georgetown Lake Lodge in August.
EMBODIED ENERGY - A PRIMER
By Lucas Dupuis
You’ve probably noticed a growing interest in the idea of
sustainability in popular culture over the past few years.
Important issues such as global warming and carbon
footprints, as well as a general acknowledgement that our
planet’s resources are finite have helped to impart the idea
that people’s lifestyles do have a lasting effect on the
planet, and on future generations. As sustainable lifestyles
become more mainstream, the question of how to measure
sustainability becomes a key issue. With everyone from
Wal Mart to General Motors claiming to be “Green”, how
is the average consumer expected to sort out genuinely
sustainable methods and materials from status quo
products branded as “green” through manipulative
marketing?
One answer lies in finding an effective way to quantify
sustainability. Think of it as a MPG rating for everything
we consume, from the food we eat to the buildings we live
in. While such a universal rating system may require years
of development by many experts, the good news is that the
basic premise for such a system exists, at least for
buildings, today. The concept of embodied energy
quantifies
the energy
that goes into
the construction and
lifecycle of
buildings. By
(406) 541-8300 • www.homeresource.org
Page 2
EMBODIED ENERGY (continued from page 1)
considering the embodied energy of raw materials and
systems, one can get a fairly clear idea of the
environmental impact of their home, office, and
community.
Generally defined, embodied energy in buildings can be
split into two categories: Initial and recurring.
The initial embodied energy in buildings represents
the non-renewable energy consumed in the
acquisition of raw materials, their processing,
manufacturing, transportation to site, and
construction. This initial embodied energy has two
components: Direct energy - the energy used to
transport building products to the site, and then to
construct the building; and Indirect energy - the
energy used to acquire, process, and manufacture the
building materials, including any transportation
related to these activities.
The recurring embodied energy in buildings
represents the non-renewable energy consumed to
maintain, repair, restore, refurbish or replace
materials, components or systems during the life of
the building.1.
While a complex analysis of building materials and
techniques is required to establish the embodied energy
in a building, the concepts are quite simple.
• The less energy required to produce a building
component from a raw material, the less the
embodied energy. For example, there is far less
energy embodied in lumber than in aluminum
because harvesting trees requires less energy than
mining and smelting metals.
• Locally produced materials generally have lower
embodied energy than those shipped long distances
to their final installation.
• Recycled content and highly recyclable materials
should be favored, for each re-use of the material
conserves the energy required to produce new
materials.
• Durable, energy efficient materials and techniques
should be favored, even if the trade off is higher
initial embodied energy. The energy saved
throughout the material’s lifecycle can more than
make up for the initial investment.
Home Resource, by nature, has many low embodied
energy building materials to offer. According to one
international industrial research organization, “The reuse
of building materials commonly saves about 95% of
embodied energy which would otherwise be wasted.”2.
However, when considering such items as doors,
windows, and insulation, choose carefully as these items
are often upgraded to a more efficient option when
buildings are remodeled. Installing an old, inefficient
window may save you a few dollars up front, but
ultimately cost more money and resources in the long run
due to energy losses. On the other hand, if you already
have historic, wood framed windows in place and in good
condition, you may conserve a lot of embodied energy (as
well as money and historic integrity,) and attain insulation
values comparable to new double-paned windows, simply
by adding quality storm windows. We’ll take a closer look
at such issues in the next issue of Re-Use News.
1. Canadianarchitect.com
2. www.cmmt.csiro.au/brochures/tech/embodied/
index.cfm
VOLUNTEER SPOTLIGHT:
KRISTY JOHNSTON
By Bob Whitney
Over the years Home Resource
has had a number of volunteers
who have done great things for
our growing organization.
Without the help of such
generous people Home
Resource would not be where it
is today, flourishing in its
efforts to divert tons of
materials annually from our
local landfill. Home Resource
would like to recognize and
thank one particularly hard
working and dedicated
volunteer who stepped up to a
monumental task on limited
notice, and was able to
organize Home Resource’s 3rd
annual Spontaneous Construction
with amazing success.
Kristy Johnston has been a
member of the Home Resource
family from the very beginning,
starting out as a devout customer.
An avid and skilled do-ityourselfer, Kristy saw the benefit
of the organization early on and
was soon volunteering on a
weekly basis. She provides Home
Resource with a wealth of
knowledge, experience and
contacts and her efforts and
contributions are greatly
appreciated.
Spontaneous Construction went
off this year without a hitch thanks
The infectious smile of
Kristy Johnston
to all our volunteers, who were
organized and led by the tenacious
Kristy Johnston. We cannot thank
Kristy enough for her
contributions and friendship; she
is an invaluable part of our
organization. We look forward to
hearing about her travels upon her
return from a trip China and wish
her the best with the opening of
her and husband Paul Miller’s new
chiropractic clinic, Health Wise
(which has been remodeled almost
exclusively from Home Resource
materials). So once again, thank
you Kristy Johnston—Godmother
of Home Resource!
Page 3
SPONTANEOUS CONSTRUCTION TAKES TO THE STREETS
By Matt Hisel
This year our annual event, Spontaneous Construction, took a major leap forward with the support of 36 sponsors, dozens of
in-kind contributions and an army of volunteers. We took over the street and transformed it into a re-use carnival. In
addition to the official “SponCon Contest”—in which teams compete for prizes by building the best art and furniture
they can in five hours—we created four more activities utilizing our overflowing
inventory: the Paint-a-Door Tent , Caster Car Derby, Community Growth Sculpture
and the Kid’s Creation Station.
Thanks to a barrage of radio advertising donated by Simmons Media radio stations
(The Trail 103.3, Fresh 104.5 and Jack FM,) the event drew around 350 participants
and partiers throughout the day, and raised over $6,000 for Home Resource’s
educational and charitable programs.
The funds will be allocated to two programs: Recycling In The Schools (RITS - see
article on page 4) and a developing program to provide free or low cost materials to
income qualified first time home buyers.
Twenty-seven teams and individuals (over 70 competitors total) worked feverishly
for five hours to create an amazing array of art, furniture, musical instruments, and—
theoretically—“wearable art”. Every year, the bar continues to rise, and this year
some pieces really blew us away. Among the most impressive creations were the
“Tackle Table” (Best of Show) by Mark McMillan and Ian Grob, and Becky
Douglas’s xylophone (Best Musical Instrument). Eighteen artists contributed over
thirty works to the silent auction, including beautiful furniture from reclaimed lumber
and steel. The live and silent auctions far exceeded our expectations. Our conservative
goal was $3,000 in auction sales, and actual sales were $4,675! This is a real tribute
to the beautiful work of everyone involved.
Based on this year’s success, we are already looking forward
Ian Grob
to SponCon 2008. You too can witness the fun and get inspired
(top) places
for next year by checking out the photo galleries at
sponcon.homeresource.org.
a giant fly
THANK YOU, SPONSORS!
EVENT SPONSORS:
The Good Food Store • Big Sky Brewing Company
The Trail 103.3 • Fresh FM • Jack FM
ACTIVITY SPONSORS
Missoula Federal Credit Union • Portico Real Estate
Burley’s Natural Home Supply • Zip Auto Service
AWARD SPONSORS
Construction Site Services • Betty’s Divine
Pat McCormick at Properties 2000
MacArthur Means and Wells Architects • Tuxbury Sound
Powder Coating of Montana • Kelly Tile by Design
Cynical and Jaded Software Entrepreneurs
Ten Spoon Winery • Bernice’s Bakery
SUPPORTERS
Loken Builders • Boyce Lumber • Mark Estep
GreenPath Properties • WestRidge Creative
Scariano Construction • Rocking M Design
Heritage Timber • Shaffer Law office
Sustainable Building Design • The Independent
Organic Imaging • Mountain West Bank • Flynn Insurance
Poteet Construction • Ace Hardware • Health Wise
tied from
electrical
wire in “The
Tackle
Table”—the
Best of
Show—
which he
built with
Mark
MacKinnon.
Becky Douglas (middle) plays
her new xylophone, which was
awarded Best Musical
Instrument.
Isabella Milch (left) and Winnie
Loha pose with their creation
“It came From Under The Bed”,
awarded Best Work by
Under-12-Year Olds.
Page 4
MISSOULA PASSES ENERGY RESOLUTION FOR NEW CITY BUILDINGS
By Ben Schmidt
After years of research, debates and discussions,
Missoula has finally taken a decisive step toward
conserving energy and reducing greenhouse gas
emissions. On July 2nd, 2007 the city adopted a
resolution that requires all new municipal buildings and
major remodels to undergo an energy analysis in the
planning stages.
For over a decade, the City of Missoula has worked on
energy and global warming issues. On June 17th, 1996
Missoula passed a resolution joining the international
Cities for Climate Protection Campaign. A Greenhouse
Gas Energy Efficiency Plan was adopted by Missoula on
May 10th, 2004. This plan called for the formation of a
community-based Greenhouse Gas Energy Conservation
Team. The Team was charged to advise the city council
and educate the community on greenhouse gas and
energy issues. Home Resource’s Co-Director Matt Hisel
has been with the Team since its formation in 2004.
In 2006 the Team began working on a resolution that
would help make new buildings and major remodels
more energy efficient. To convince the city council to
support this resolution, the Team pointed out that energy
efficient building techniques can pay for themselves and
save taxpayer money over time. This is an especially
important point for municipal buildings that will be in
use for decades and can look at long payback times. The
resolution calls for energy experts to recommend energy
conservation measures and estimate the cost savings of
those measures over 20 years. The hope is that decisions
about future buildings will be made on the basis of
long-term savings rather than only the immediate
up-front costs. Furthermore, because new technologies
and higher standards are constantly in development, the
resolution does not require a specific benchmark to be
met, such an Energy Star or LEED (Leadership in
Energy and Environmental Design) rating. The goal is to
continue pushing the envelope even after these standards
become commonplace.
Another critical component of the resolution is
education. The city will be required to disseminate
information about the energy analyses and measures
incorporated into new buildings via the city website,
press releases and signage in the new building.
Enforcement of the resolution should not be an issue,
since a growing industry of energy analysts and design
consultants will be competing to win contracts on all
new municipal buildings. Pressure from an informed
public is expected to be enough to ensure compliance.
The full text of the resolution can be viewed on our
website at www.homeresource.org/resolution.
MISSOULA PUBLIC SCHOOLS BEGIN RECYCLING
By Matt Hisel
Nineteen Missoula County Public Schools have received
funding from sponsors, put their bins in place, and begun
recycling aluminum, plastics, paper, cardboard, and more,
thanks to a new partnership between Missoula Valley
Recycling and Home Resource.
The RITS (Recycling In The Schools) Program was
initiated two years ago by Missoula Valley Recycling
(MVR) under the fiscal sponsorship of the Jeannette Rankin
Peace Center. Eight schools were funded last year, up from
four schools in the Spring of 2006.
Over the summer, Home Resource took over the fiscal
sponsorship role, and the efforts of MVR Owner Tom Ernst
and UM student Elias Harms raised enough money to fund
19 schools within MVR’s pickup range.
“This is a huge step toward bringing Missoula’s recycling
rates up to par with the rest of the country,” says Ernst.
“Getting good recycling habits started early is key.”
Nationally, about 30% of recyclable materials actually get
recycled. In Missoula, that figure is less than 20%, and it’s
even lower for the state of Montana. Recycling saves natural
resources, creates jobs, and reduces the energy used to
manufacture new products.
Home Resource and MVR agree that part of the problem
is the lack of community infrastructure, but the other part is
know-how. Like knowing what materials are recyclable,
how to sort them out and store them conveniently, and
where to get rid of them. For those with more money than
time, there’s MVR’s curbside pickup service. And for those
with more time than money, there are the drop-off centers.
In both cases, education is needed to know how to sort
materials and organize efficient household recycling
systems.
The RITS program costs $600 per school, and each school
is sponsored by a local business or in some cases concerned
individuals. For example, Hellgate High School is
sponsored by Rockin’ Rudy’s—a business across the street.
The business gets a small sign on the bins recognizing their
sponsorship. The funds cover the cost of the bins, regular
pickups, and educational seminars and materials.
Missoula Valley Recycling is a thirteen-year-old company
that currently provides curbside recycling pickup to 390
residences and 130 businesses. Owner Tom Ernst, a former
teacher, was motivated to buy the business in 2000 by his
passion for the environment. He started the RITS program
after seeing a lack of recycling in Missoula’s schools.
“What is the message kids get when they are encouraged
to recycle, and then the schools don’t do it?” asks Ernst.
“This is something we have to teach by example and learn
by doing. Now, thanks to these sponsors and the cooperation
of leaders in the schools, we can do that!”
More information about the program and sponsors can be
found at the MVR website:
www.missoulavalleyrecycling.com.
DEVELOPMENTS ON THE HOME RESOURCE BOARD AND STAFF
Big changes have taken place since we portrayed our board and staff members in our first newsletter. Our Board of Directors
now boasts twelve accomplished and incredibly generous, hard-working leaders. The launch of Deconstruction Services and
the resignation of store manager Jack Rowan precipitated major staff restructuring in August. We were very sorry to lose Jack,
who resigned to start his own native landscaping business. With Lauren now devoting nearly full time to Deconstruction, the
store was two guys short—yet it has taken three new positions to replace them! (See inset, below.)
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Lucas Dupuis, Board President,
Owner of Sustainable Building Design, a local design
firm specializing in energy efficient and healthy
building design, Lucas donned a tool belt as a volunteer
in the earliest days of HR. We quickly recognized his
potential, recruited him onto the board , and after two
years, made him president.
Karen Johnson, Treasurer (not pictured)
CPA and Controller of Powder Coating of Montana and
Lifting Technologies LLC, Karen has brought
invaluable insight and oversight to HR’s finances.
Colleen Bache, Secretary
Vice President and Manager of the Fairway Branch of
Missoula Federal Credit Union. Colleen joined HR just
over a year ago and immediately agreed to serve as secretary, while also offering extensive financial expertise.
Lauren Varney, Co-Founder and Co-Director
After a bachelor’s degree in Environmental Studies and
untold years as a carpenter, Lauren brought knowledge
of both construction and deconstruction, not to mention
superior math skills, to the founding of HR.
Matt Hisel, Co-Founder and Co-Director
After untold years as an Environmental Studies grad
student, Matt brought non-profit management training,
not to mention superior verbosity, to the founding of
HR. (Yes indeed… verbosity!)
THE HOME RESOURCE STAFF
In August, Home Resource welcomed Josh Decker to
the position of Store Manager. You may remember him
as one of the most knowledgeable and friendly faces at
Ace Hardware. If you notice constant improvements in
organization and customer service, thank Josh.
Bob Whitney, our new Inventory Manager, now
handles the ordering and stocking of Good Wood and
other new green products. He also leads the staff toward
our earnest goal of giving every customer at least one
good chuckle every time they visit the store.
Dave Hutchins, newly dubbed the Facilities
Manager, has brought his creativity and experience as a
welder to bear on our constant needs for new racks and
shelving. He also repairs equipment and creates as much
order out of HR’s chaos as humanly possible.
Simon Detar and Mike Baker, two knowledgeable, friendly, fun-loving
yet hard-working guys, fill out the Home Resource line-up.
Amy Coseo, a Project
Manager with WestRidge
Creative, chairs HR’s
Advertising and Public
Relations Committee with
sharp attention to detail and
marketing acumen.
Pat McCormick, a residential
real estate agent with
Properties 2000, is fearlessly
guiding our quest for a new
home through the wilds of the
Missoula real estate market.
Heather McMilin is the
Housing Development
Director at homeWORD, a
non-profit developer of
affordable and sustainable
housing. Heather is applying
her development expertise to
our new location quest as well.
Ben Schmidt is the Air
Quality Specialist for the City
of Missoula and Chair of
Missoula’s Greenhouse Gas
and Energy Conservation
Team. He keeps us in line with
City ordinances.
Ryan Shaffer is an attorney in
private practice, specializing
in green business contract law
and environmental law.
Elizabeth Thompson, of
Watermark Studios, is a
building and landscape
designer focusing on uniquely
beautiful sustainable work.
She is a LEED (Leadership in
Energy and Environmental
Design) accredited
professional.
Anne Vander Meer, one of
our founding board members,
is the owner of AV Builders, a
design/build company
emphasizing affordable yet
high-quality housing.
PRSRT STD
US Postage Paid
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TREASURES NOW AT HOME RESOURCE
GRANITE REMNANTS
Home Resource has been lucky to receive an
amazing donation from Garden City Granite. Over
7,000 pounds of granite scraps and remnants are now
in our yard. A huge variety of colors, styles, origins,
and geologies are ready to be sorted through for your
perfect piece. Folks are using this material for
everything from coffee table tops to pet tombstones to
pastry boards. Our staff can’t wait to hear about your
ingenious use for these slabs of pure beauty.
The stone can be cut at home with a circular saw
equipped with a masonry blade, or call Garden City
Granite and have them add value to your special find
by cutting and shaping to your specifications.
Granite slabs are priced $8 per square foot for less
than 5 square feet and $12 per square foot for pieces
over 5 square feet. This is a steal compared to the
regular raw material retail price of $30 per square foot
before cutting and fitting. The remnant you need may
be walking out of our yard today, so come and get it!