Craftsmen are resourceful, ingenious, and determined. Where other people see a giant pile of junk, these crafty pros see opportunity and possibility. While you’re diligent about what gets tossed at home, the job site is different. The sheer volume and variety of “junk” make it look more like a disorganized home improvement store than a trash bin. If you can get the green light from your employer, here are some ideas for repurposing job site junk for home projects.
Masonry debris for a backyard paradise.
Pieces of brick, cinderblock, and other bits of masonry are perfect for building a backyard paradise. You can lay them on the ground to create a unique walkway or stack them up to build comfortable seating and natural barriers. If you get enough, you might even be able to erect an outdoor fireplace. If you’re struggling to get enough of the same material, you might have to go for a hodge-podge look or fill in the gaps with your own masonry pieces.
Insulation materials for improved energy efficiency.
Insulation is notoriously difficult to measure accurately to the square foot. Instead of running shy, most companies prefer to err on the safe side. That means plenty of additional insulation for DIY-minded craftsmen. It’s probably not enough for a whole house but perfect for small projects such as improving an attic, adding a small garage, or building a shed. The added energy efficiency is a welcomed bonus!
Leftover wood scraps for furniture.
Let’s face it. Lumber’s not cheap. Some of the best wood craftsmen have ever handled is at work where budgets far outpace those for at-home projects. However, you might be able to get your hands on these premium planks at the end of a job. Broken pieces and scraps have your name written all over them. Anything extra might require a formal request from the boss. These prime pieces can be used for all sorts of furniture.
Sawdust for random applications.
Sawdust falls like snow on lumber-heavy construction projects. You won’t have to fight off many contenders for this job site tossaway. That’s because most people don’t know how much it can be used for such as:
- Wood filler
- Garden mulch
- Spill absorber
- Homemade fire starter
- Pest deterrent
- Snow traction
The easiest way to source sawdust is to open up the shop vacuum after cleanup. Picking it up by hand would probably go down as one of the weird things on the construction site.
Packaging materials as tool storage or protection.
Here’s another project byproduct without much competition. Every raw material or tool sourced for the job site will have some packaging material. Whether it’s plastic, packing peanuts, styrofoam, or bubble wrap, these would-be pieces of trash have some potential. You can use durable plastic to fashion custom tool organizers. Large boxes could become garage organizers. Big plastic covers offer reliable moisture protection for more sensitive pieces of equipment.
Plumbing pieces for irrigation or hangers.
Piping and plumbing fixtures aren’t only handy for at-home repairs (although they’re fantastic for that). These leftovers can also be repurposed for a number of DIY projects such as custom towel racks, industrial-style shelves, and garden irrigation systems. Most plumbing leftovers are fairly short, so you might have to buy connections or jerry-rig a solution to prevent leaks when running water through them.
Wooden pallets for pretty much anything.
There’s no limit to the awesome things you can do with a wooden pallet. Need some durable outdoor furniture? No problem! What about a mid-century custom headboard? Check. You can even treat the wood and use it as flooring! If you’re building something nice, make sure you get your hands on pallets that haven’t been too beat up through years of wear and tear. If you’re stuck with busted specimens, you can always use them as cheap storage.
Looking for a job can sometimes feel like fighting over scraps…unless you work with Madden Industrial Craftsmen. Our team has decades of experience getting talented craftsmen gigs with leading industrial, manufacturing, and construction leaders. If you’re interested in landing a rewarding, well-compensated position, check out our job search for immediate openings in your local area.
