Impact

A reputation for results

There’s a story behind our stores. See how Rebuilding Exchange makes a real-world difference for our people and communities.

Retail Stores and Deconstruction Services

Our retail stores and deconstruction services keep millions of pounds of reusable materials out of landfills.

In just one year, that could be saving:

  • Over 48,000 feet of lumber. That's over one and a half times the height of Mt Everest.
  • If you stack the 1746 doors we sold in the past year end to end they would be over 8 times taller than the Willis Tower.
  • The 4,000 light fixtures we saved from landfills last year would be enough to light both the Field Museum and the Art Institute.
  • With the 23,000 square feet of stone and tile we put back in to use last year you could cover the basketball courts of all 30 NBA teams.
Other environmental benefits includes
Reduces greenhouse

Reduces greenhouse gas emissions but not putting materials in landfills.

Saves Trees

Saves trees, water and the energy that comes from creating new materials.

Lessens pollution

Decreases air and water pollution from the manufacturing and transportation of new goods. Deconstruction emits fewer particulate pollution vs demolition that crushes materials.

Our two stores sell affordable building materials to 10,000 members of our community each year.

Education + Outreach Programs

We build home repair skills and provide creative activities that repurpose reclaimed materials. Our education and outreach programs help participants strengthen their ability to repair and reuse, keep stuff out of landfills, and have a whole lot of fun!

  • Offer 100 classes a year, ranging from woodworking, home repair, and creative reuse.
  • Engage 1,000 workshop attendees from our community, many of whom are meeting us for the first time.
Workforce Training Programs

Our workforce training programs provide transitional employment and pre-apprenticeship opportunities to support people on a path to a successful building trades career.

In the last year…

  • 89% were placed into building trades jobs.
  • Earning an average starting hourly wage of $18/hour upon graduation.
  • After 1 year, 85% were still gainfully employment and earning an average of $24/hour.

We are on track to serve 80 participants this year, a more than 200% increase than in the past. Much of this is thanks to our new pre-apprenticeship program, generously supported by the Illinois Works Pre-Apprenticeship Program.

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Rebuilding Exchange invests in our communities by reusing building materials, reducing construction waste, and training, supporting, and connecting people seeking careers in the building trades.
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