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ReStore Joins Hennepin County's Salvage Crawl

Regina Eckes : May 1, 2025 8:15:00 AM

ReStore 2025

ReStore Joins Hennepin County's Salvage Crawl

May is National Home Improvement Month, and Hennepin County is hosting its third annual Salvage Crawl! This month-long event encourages people to buy used building materials for their home improvement projects instead of buying new. (You can also donate your leftover building materials and tools to ReStore.) After all, the greenest building material is the one that already exists. Visit ReStore and other participating salvage retailers from May 1 - 31, 2025, to be entered to win one of four prizes.

Why used building materials?

The cost of building materials continues to skyrocket and is a challenge for many builders, contractors, and DIYers. Buying used materials or materials left over from another person's project can have a positive impact on your wallet. But the savings is more than dollars and cents. Opting for used building materials reduces "embodies emissions"--the energy and natural resources required to manufacture and transport building materials. These emissions are responsible for about 13% of annual global carbon emissions.

ReStore is proud to participate in Hennepin County’s Salvage Crawl. Last year, our donors, shoppers, and volunteers kept 5.9 million pounds of materials out of landfills--that's 22 blue whales! New Brighton ReStore Manager Jan Hagerman often comments about the ripple effect our individual choices can have in the larger world. "It may not seem like a big deal, but something little you do can be huge for someone else," she says. "If you think, 'Well, I'm just one person…' Yes, you are! And you can make a difference only you can make."

Before and after images of a refurbished dresser.

Used materials also bring unique character and one-of-a-kind style to a project. Whether it’s a small DIY craft, a larger remodel, or an entirely new build, taking advantage of used materials can unlock a new level of creativity. Read how local DIY master Derek Miller uses ReStore for his projects. "I go to ReStore so often because I never know when something is going to show up that’s going to be my next project," he explains.

And because of his background with carpentry and construction, Derek has seen firsthand how much material can go to waste on constructions sites, or even when doing demo work on an old house. He says there is a lot of stuff that can be reused that people just don’t think about.

How to Participate in the Salvage Crawl

Enter Into a Drawing:

Visit one (or more!) of the participating salvage retailers listed below – the more retailers you visit between May 1 and May 31, the greater your chance of winning!
Scan to enter – Find Hennepin County’s Salvage Crawl poster near the checkout counter, scan the QR code, and enter your information for a chance to win.

Prizes:

$50 Visa gift card (10 available)
$150 Visa gift card to Furnish Office & Home (one available)
Mancala board made by Wood from the Hood (one available)
Guest pass to the MN Tool Library (two available)

What You'll Find at ReStore

Lumber section of ReStore.

ReStore is all about reuse, recycle, upcycle, and DIY. Our locations in Minneapolis and New Brighton have sections dedicated to tools and hardware, lumber, tile and flooring, doors and windows, paint, lawn and garden, furniture, appliances, home décor, and more. Visit ReStore if you're looking for specific tools or materials. We're also a great place to visit if you're looking for inspiration, because inventory changes all the time.

After you're done with your home improvement project, keep ReStore in mind for donating your leftover materials or items you might not need anymore. We're happy to give your items a second or third life to keep them out of landfills. We offer multiple donation options: you can drop off your items, schedule a free pickup, or schedule a priority pickup (for a fee).