What We Do & How We Do It
Stardust is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. We operate two reuse centers for home improvement which sell gently-used, salvaged, and surplus building materials at affordable prices. Additionally, we provide deconstruction services that salvage building materials, divert waste from landfills, and support sustainability in the community.
We have full-time deconstruction crews operating five days a week, salvaging building materials for reuse from residential and commercial renovations. Our deconstruction crews leave no stone unturned, resulting in the removal of all usable building materials from a job site safely and efficiently. In doing so, these items continue to provide a useful function, rather than taking up landfill space.
Step 1
- Give Us Your Donations
- Your Tax Deductible donation helps support programs and services dedicated to reducing waste.
Step 2
- We’ll Deconstruct If Needed
- Every year, our skilled deconstruction crew diverts more than 650 tons of usable material from landfills.
Step 3
- Shop Donated Items In Store
- Shop gently-used items at more than 50% to 80% off the regular retail price, sales tax free!
Step 4
- Support a Good Cause
- Annually, Stardust diverts 5 million pounds of reusable building materials from landfills.
Founded in 1997, Stardust was created when local philanthropist and co-founder Jerry Bisgrove was about to undertake a complete home remodeling project.
The first step of the remodeling process was to remove everything from the home, essentially gutting the structure in preparation for a rebuild. The weekend before demolition was scheduled to begin, Jerry and his wife told a friend to take whatever she wanted from the house. When Jerry and his wife returned to inspect the property, they were surprised to discover the usable material from the house was gone, including cabinets, plumbing fixtures, lighting, electrical supplies, and flooring. They asked their friend what she did with everything. She said she used some of the materials to remodel her own home, sold items to friends and relatives, and gave materials to those in need. It is from these humble beginnings that Stardust was born.
At Stardust we are committed to helping everyone do their best work. Our promise is to champion diversity, build an inclusive culture and product, and do our part to create a more equitable world. We can’t promise we’ll always get it right, but we’ll always put people first.
Our Commitment to Sustainability
At Stardust, we believe that deconstruction and reuse policies and practices can drive economic growth and prosperity, while avoiding unnecessary waste. When reusing building materials becomes a standard practice, it will create new opportunities for entrepreneurs and the workforce as well as improve our quality of life.
In 2014, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) conducted a study on construction and demolition debris and found that, in a single year, an estimated 534 million tons of construction and demolition debris were generated in the United States—that’s more than twice the amount of generated municipal solid waste. To address this massive environmental issue, our advocacy task force develops key strategies to spread awareness about the importance of building material reuse, informing public policy and public opinion.
We look forward to the work ahead to create a more sustainable Arizona through community and legislative advocacy.
