For over two decades, advocates of “deconstruction” and material reuse have touted the environmental and economic benefits of salvaging building components. Yet the secondary market for used building materials and furnishings has remained stubbornly underdeveloped, with low demand and low value relative to new goods. Today, however, a new factor is emerging that could tip the scales: escalating U.S. tariffs on a wide range of imported goods. As trade barriers drive up the cost of new building materials, appliances, and household items, the enormous price gap between new and used goods presents a timely opportunity to finally make reuse mainstream. But seizing this moment will require overcoming long-standing supply chain challenges through unprecedented coordination between nonprofits and for-profit firms.
