Reuse stories
A Community Storytelling Series
Real Projects. Real People. Real Impact.
Every reclaimed material has a story.
At the ReBuilding Center, salvaged lumber, doors, hardware, and fixtures find new life in homes, art, classrooms, and community projects across Portland. Reuse Stories highlights the people who make that transformation possible.
Through before-and-after photos and short project stories, we showcase how customers, students, volunteers, and makers turn reclaimed materials into something new while keeping valuable resources in circulation.
Share Your Reuse Story
Built something using materials from the ReBuilding Center? We’d love to see it.
Submit your project with:
• before and after photos
• a short description of your project
• materials you found at the ReBuilding Center
Your story may be featured on our website, social media, or in our newsletter.
Check out our ReUse Gallery!
Built with salvaged materials from ReBuilding Center, Second World is a volunteer-led kiosk that transforms reuse into community. What might have been waste instead became a shared neighborhood space—proof that creativity, care, and reclaimed materials can come together to build connection and belonging.
Through years of thoughtful renovation using materials from ReBuilding Center, this community member has turned salvaged fixtures into a restored home—showing how reuse, creativity, and care come together to make spaces that are both sustainable and lived-in with love.
After years of taking classes at ReBuilding Center, this community member built this from scratch—powered by new skills, a great instructor, and a community that believes in sharing tools, knowledge, and possibility.
Why It Matters
Choosing reclaimed materials helps:
• keep usable materials out of the landfill
• reduce demand for new resource extraction
• lower the carbon impact of building and renovation
• make materials more affordable and accessible
• strengthen Portland’s circular economy
Every project featured here shows how small actions can create meaningful environmental impact.
Keep It in Circulation
Every reused material helps build a more sustainable and creative Portland.
Thank you for being part of the reuse movement.