Every day is Earth Day at discount center
By Ivy Ferghuson
April 19, 2009
MUNCIE -- When staff at the Greater Muncie Habitat for Humanity wanted to host their first Earth Day celebration, they didn't have to look far from their own efforts to find the perfect spot.
The Home Discount Center, the "business" arm of the local Habitat, has been the perfect symbol of the organization's green efforts, selling new or slightly used donated home-repair supplies for a fraction of the retail price.
As such, it was the best place to hold the Earth Day Marketplace, a celebration of not only green activities, but also of local vendors selling earth-friendly products.
"We really, number one, just want to celebrate Earth Day together, but then also we want to let folks know that what we're doing is good for the environment and also good for Habitat," said Lindsey Arthur, executive director of the local housing non-profit. "We just wanted to say thanks to the community and do something good for the world."
They also hope to spread the word about the discount center. Since it opened a little over two years ago, the center has saved 250 tons of material from going to the landfill. Instead of dumping old cabinets, lamps or other household items after refurbishing a kitchen or living rooms, local residents have been giving these items to the center to sell to the community.
Habitat then uses the funds to offset costs of building homes in Muncie. In 2009, they hope to build two complete houses in the city with the revenue from the store.
Vendors from the area were also on hand to spread the word about the discount center as well as their own products. But the environment and the need to take steps towards a greener lifestyle were definitely their focus for the day.
Just ask Brook Linton, a Muncie-based furniture builder who creates home items from reclaimed barn wood.
"It took a hundred years to grow this wood and so many people just turn around and burn it," he said. "I just feel like it's so much better to make something from it than to torch it."
Sellers of homemade soaps as well as members of the White River Ruggers group, who sometimes use recycled wool to "hook" rugs, were also part of the Marketplace.
Representatives from the Smart Living Project, a local organization that gives residents tangible and simple ways to become more environmentally conscious, were also on hand. They were pleased with the turnout and the interest in Earth Day.
"This is a really good store and people need to know more about
it," said Lina Gordy from the Smart Living Project. "They understand
that what they do is really sustainable and I'm glad they chose to combine
the Earth Day celebration with the promotion of their store. We were
just excited to be a part of this today."
