To learn more, we attached trackers to a few pieces of construction waste to learn their fate. One was attached to a light fixture that had been donated, but broke in transport. We placed it in our construction waste dumpster and followed its journey.

The fixture traveled 160+ miles to the Dunn Landfill in Rensselaer, New York, which is adjacent to a public school. The Rensselaer Environmental Coalition reports that neighbors, including children on the school’s campus, suffer from exposure to PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, or “forever chemicals”) as well as odors, dust, noise, and diesel fumes. They are lobbying for the state to deny the facility’s permit renewal.

There are no active landfills in Massachusetts, so construction waste is either incinerated or shipped out of state, where it becomes a bane for another community. Ramping up reuse is one way to keep material out of the landfill and direct it back into the circular economy, where it can enrich a community rather than turning into an environmental burden. 

BBR: When taking in donated paint, what is the drop-off process like, and do you ever reject paint?

KP: We accept all latex paint in any condition. However, we do not accept oil-based paints because we're unable to recycle them.

BBR: What is the main source of paint donations?

KP: About 80% of our donations come from residential sources. We do get some from painters and companies, but most of it is household paint.

BBR: What is your process for inspecting the paint to determine usability?

KP: Every paint can is opened and inspected. Our staff, some of whom have been with us for nearly 20 years, cut open the cans and use a trowel to scrape and inspect the paint. They check the paint's condition and smell. Usable liquid paint is sorted by color into corresponding drums, while solid or unusable paint is placed into separate drums. These unusable paints are sent to our facility in Oklahoma, where they are processed and used as an alternative daily cover in landfills.

BBR: How is Amazon able to keep the pricing affordable despite the long and complicated process of recycling the paint? 

KP: We've been doing this for a long time, and our team has a lot of experience. This helps us accurately assess and select the right colors. We’ve developed a strong team that knows how to manage the process effectively. When we make the paint, it starts in a 500-gallon tank where we mix and adjust colors. We use a filtration system with 800-, 400-, and 100-micron filters to ensure the paint is smooth and suitable for use. Once the paint is ready, it’s transferred into cans manually. While our methods are low-tech, this hands-on approach helps us maintain quality and keep prices affordable.

BBR: Your website claims that Amazon Select Paint meets the same specifications as high quality virgin paint sold by the nation’s leading manufacturers. What are those specifications?

KP: First, we test viscosity. Then there’s color. We mix paint according to specific recipes and use a spectrophotometer to ensure color accuracy. We adjust the color by adding complementary hues until we achieve the desired result. The paint undergoes filtration to remove impurities before it’s packaged. Despite being low-tech, our process ensures that the paint meets high-quality standards.

BBR: What types of containers are the newly recycled paints packaged in?

KP: We use 100% recycled plastic containers. The cans made from recycled black plastic and plastic handles are lighter and easier to handle. We also recycle all the containers from the donated paint we receive.

BBR: Do you find that people doubt the quality of the paint because it is recycled?

KP: Yes, it can be a challenge. Some people are concerned that recycled paint won’t match their desired color or quality. However, our paint is a third of the price of new paint and is of premium quality. It’s often a great option for those who are open to classic colors.

BBR: What are some of the biggest challenges with the paint recycling process?

KP: One challenge is that people often hold onto paint longer than they need to, and it becomes unusable. About 40% of the paint we receive cannot be recycled into new paint. It’s a challenge to manage this waste, but we encourage people to bring in their old paint sooner rather than later.

BBR: I read that non-recyclable paints are made into other products, including a product for graffiti abatement.

KP: Yes, some of our paint is used for graffiti abatement by cities like Minneapolis. Basic paints are mixed with other materials for waterproofing basements or other applications. We also supply large quantities of basic paint to various customers for different uses.

BBR: With the name Amazon, many people must assume an association with the online retailer. How does that impact your business?

KP: Yes, our name sometimes leads to confusion with Amazon the retailer. We get frequent calls intended for Amazon. Our company was named after a parrot owned by the founder, Lorraine Segala, which was named Amazon.

BBR: Do you have a favorite paint color? 

KP: My favorite color is Oak Moss, a subtle greenish-gray that blends beautifully with the surroundings.

BBR: What are your most popular colors?

KP: White and Desert Beige are our most popular colors, as they are versatile and widely used.

Interview by Joy Shen

Amazon paint can be used for interior or exterior applications on drywall, wood, stucco, or masonry. Its low-sheen finish (between a flat and an eggshell) is washable and scrubbable.

By using Amazon recycled content paint, you are helping to protect the environment by saving the resources that would be used to make new paint. The energy used to make and transport the paint, as well as the minerals, chemicals, and pigments needed to make new paint, are all saved when you choose recycled paint instead of virgin paint. You are also preventing that paint material from ending up in a landfill or, worse, down a drain. Using recycled content paint saves resources, saves energy, reduces pollution, and reduces landfill waste.

Use of Amazon Select Paint qualifies for LEED credits because the paint contains more than 80% post-consumer content material. Amazon Select Paint is also Green Seal certified. It is manufactured in the United States (Minnesota and Oklahoma) and is not affiliated with the online retail giant.  

From 5:00 to 6:30 p.m., women contractors, carpenters, plumbers, electricians, painters, and others who work in the building trades will gather to meet their peers and exchange views and experiences. The conversation will focus on mentoring: people who mentored you, becoming a mentor for others, and qualities of a good mentoring relationship.

The event is free; preregistration is not required. Snacks and soft drinks will be provided. The gathering will be at the Reuse Center at Boston Building Resources, 100 Terrace Street, Roxbury Crossing, near the Orange Line T and Southwest Corridor bike path. On- and off-street parking is available.

If you have visited the Reuse Center at BBR since its 2021 renovation, you’ve experienced heat pumps in action. Two large rooftop units heat and cool the building, powered by a 114-panel solar array.

How they work

Air-source heat pumps use electricity to power a compressor that transfers heat using the refrigeration cycle. In winter, it transfers heat indoors; in summer, it transfers heat outdoors—like an air conditioner that also works in reverse. Heated or cooled air can be distributed through your home’s existing ductwork (if you have a forced hot air system), or you can opt for a ductless system.

It’s not exactly intuitive that a heat pump would be able to glean enough heat from the outdoor air when temperatures are in the single digits. But as long as the refrigerant is colder than the air, heat will always move from warmer to colder material. Compressing and decompressing the refrigerant raises and lowers its temperature so it will absorb heat from the warmer space and release it into the colder environment. Refrigerant in a heat pump can be cooled as low as 30 below zero—well below even the coldest temperatures in New England—so it can move heat even on winter days.

Who is a good candidate?

Homes that make the strongest candidates for heat pumps are those that have any one of these factors: currently heat with oil, propane, or electric resistance; want to add air conditioning; have hot or cold spots; need more control over temperatures in individual rooms; furnace or AC system is more than 12 years old; or have rooftop solar panels, according to the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center.

Rebates and incentives

Another good reason to consider heat pumps? Rebates and incentives are substantial right now. Mass Save offers rebates of up to $10,000 per home, and up to $16,000 for income-qualified households. The interest-free HEAT loan can be tapped to finance the project, up to $50,000. Federal incentives include tax credits of 30% of project cost (up to $2,000 per year) and rebates of up to $8,000. A Mass Save energy assessment is a prerequisite for qualifying for these incentives.

As a general estimate, before rebates, you might expect to pay between $3,500 and $5,200 for every indoor unit installed with a ductless system, and somewhere between $12,000 and $22,000 for a ducted system, according to online marketplace EnergySage.

Installation process

A heat pump system includes indoor and outdoor components, which are connected by lines carrying the refrigerant. The system will be connected to the home’s main electrical service panel. If you have an older electrical system or have no room to add breakers, upgrades will be needed prior to heat pump installation.

How to get started

To qualify for rebates and incentives, schedule an energy assessment with Mass Save (www.MassSave.com).

Zero Energy Certification from ILFI allows projects to demonstrate that the building is truly operating as claimed, harnessing energy from renewable sources to produce net annual energy demand. Through a third-party audit of actual performance data, Zero Energy certified projects are proven to be highly efficient buildings that rely only on clean energy, without on-site combustion of fossil fuels.  

BBR’s 8,800-square-foot building became zero carbon after a transformational renovation project, completed in 2021. Changes included the installation of an all-electric HVAC system, major building envelope upgrades, and a 114-panel, 46-kilowatt rooftop solar array. The renovation team included Black River Architects; Landmark Structures, general contractor; Deep Energy Group, energy consultant; Next Phase Studios, sustainability consultant; Wozny/Barbar & Associates, MEP engineers; Sanjay Kaul, structural engineer; and Sunbug Solar, PV design and installation. 

A zero-energy building is a natural extension of BBR’s environmental mission: keeping reusable building materials out of the waste stream and making them available to local homeowners to repair, maintain, and improve their houses. The Reuse Center is Mission Hill’s first and only zero-energy building. It houses a retail operation providing affordable used and surplus building materials to 2,000 local residents per year. The award will be presented at the Living Future 23 conference in Washington, DC, May 3-5. 

Visitors can take part in a free perennial divide and plant swap from 11:00-2:00, organized by The Trustees of Reservations. Share your favorite perennials, as well as any seedlings, and take home new ones for this year’s garden. Trustees volunteers will help divide and share plants.  

Starting at noon, the Mighty Silverbacks will perform live music, with upbeat tunes from the 1960s to 2010. Two years ago, they played at the ribbon cutting celebration for the renovated Reuse Center building.  

A limited-edition Earth Day T-shirt will be available for sale, designed by local artist Michael John Alivixi Guadarrama.  

Customers who spend more than $20 on April 22 will receive a free BBR pocket screwdriver with four different bits. This can include membership payments and/or purchases of materials from either the Co-op or the Reuse Center. 

Environmental sustainability is a core value at BBR:

• The Reuse Center at BBR takes in donations of building materials, eliminating the environmental impact of needless waste and making materials available at affordable prices to low- and moderate-income homeowners.

• Two years ago, the Reuse Center building was remodeled to a zero-carbon standard, with all the power needed to operate the building generated by a rooftop solar array. It is Mission Hill’s only zero-carbon building.

• The Co-op at BBR carries rain barrels, home compost bins, and products to help people conserve energy and live sustainably.  

Kord first became a member of BBR in 2005 when purchasing supplies needed to restore his home’s historic windows. He worked most recently as Business Director for the deCordova Sculpture Park and Museum, where he provided leadership for overall museum operations, including all aspects of the visitor experience. This included educational and public programming, a café and store, and facility maintenance and improvements on a 30-acre campus. His background also includes financial management, finding markets for surplus materials, and fundraising.

Kord will serve as President of BBR’s consumer cooperative, which sells new building materials such as cabinetry, windows, and doors, as well as Executive Director of the nonprofit reuse center, which takes in donations of high-quality reusable building materials and sells them at a fraction of their fair market value, mainly to lower-income community residents. BBR’s co-op and reuse center provide more than 1,500 members with not only materials, but also knowledge and resources for maintaining, repairing, and improving one’s home.

“Knowledge about repairing one’s home is not only empowering, but also builds economic resilience,” Kord said. “Housing, food, financial, and climate security are all intimately intertwined, and BBR is uniquely positioned to engage and educate on these topics. I am incredibly excited by the opportunity to serve and by all that is ahead for Boston Building Resources.”

Kord succeeds Matthew St. Onge, who is retiring after nearly 30 years at the helm of the organization. Matthew will remain on staff for an interim period in order to assure a smooth leadership transition. Kord’s appointment was finalized by a vote at the October 25 Board of Directors meeting.

Stay tuned for information about upcoming opportunities to meet and get to know Kord and to wish Matthew well.

Creating an ADU adds a separate living space without going through the zoning review process that would otherwise be needed with a full change of occupancy. “We’re mostly seeing people do them in the basement,” said Tom O’Donnell, plans examiner for the city’s Inspectional Services Department (ISD) and annual meeting panelist. “The zoning code allows for it without having to go to the Zoning Board of Appeal. It’s considered an as-of-right use if you stay within the existing footprint and volume of the house.” That means no dormers or other changes to the exterior.  

The ADU can be a way for a homeowner to have family members live close by, or can simply provide an income stream from rent. Both of these benefits help long-term residents who want to “age in place” and increase the overall number of housing units.  

To help residents create ADUs, the Mayor’s Office of Housing has a financial incentive: up to $50,000 in the form of a 0% interest deferred loan for owner-occupied properties. “Deferred means there are no monthly payments. It is income-based,” said Anita Christon, program manager for the HomeWorks and ADU Programs. The City of Boston is only paid back when the homeowner sells the property, transfers the title, or converts the property to condominiums. (Condos are not eligible for the ADU program.) 

While an ADU does not have to go through zoning review, there are no compromises when it comes to safety. Fire suppression sprinklers must be installed in the new ADU (but not the existing units), there must be two means of egress, and each bedroom must have an emergency egress window. Firefighters and their equipment must have enough space to access the ADU; this is a primary concern for structures located behind other structures, such as a shed or garage. (Guidelines for ADUs in separate structures such as carriage houses are still being developed.) 

Panelist Cheryl Odom, an ISD plans examiner, stressed the importance of working with a professional architect or designer. “We encourage you to secure the services of design professionals,” she said. Monthly meetings held online through Boston Home Service Center allow homeowners to present their plans for review. “There are architects involved from the City of Boston. There are building plan reviewers involved. There are representatives from the fire department to see if your plans work. We go through the plans and try to give you suggestions,” she said. But, ultimately, the homeowner and the architect they hire will determine the final plan. 

BBR member Mark Kennedy, who is in the process of building an ADU in his Roxbury home, agrees. “You don’t want to do a project like this without going through exactly what they told you to do,” he said. “You want this kind of oversight, because, at the end of the day, you want a project that actually is going to be safe, that works, with high-quality construction and high-quality design.” 

After purchasing his home, Mark redid it completely in 1997. “I never did the basement. It was going to be my man cave, and I was going to get to it at some point in time.” Now that his mother is in her upper 80s, he is creating a ground-level ADU for her. “What we want for her is direct access from the street so there are no steps involved. She’s living on two stories now, and it’s painful to watch her grip railings as she’s walking up and down stairs several times a day.” Among the materials he bought from BBR’s Co-op are kitchen and bath cabinets, and from the Reuse Center he bought the sink, toilet, medicine cabinet, and more.  

The main difference between the ADU program and a change of occupancy to create another unit is zoning. The zoning review process is “additional time added to your project. As they say, time is money,” said Cheryl. “You would probably be looking at a legal change of occupancy, which would be registered at the tax assessor’s office as well. So if you have a two-family now, and you want a basement unit, you’d go to a legal three, which would require a sprinkler system throughout, not just that particular unit.” Parking would also be considered with a zoning review.  

The ADU program is a way to unlock the potential of existing spaces, and to do so safely, while bypassing the red tape of a full zoning review. “By having the ADUs, that allows the building inspector to see, just to take a look at what you have to do to make them safer, not only for you, but for the people who will be sleeping there at 2:00, 3:00, 4:00, 5:00 in the morning,” said Marc Joseph, Boston’s deputy building commissioner, who made an impromptu appearance at the annual meeting.  

Mark Kennedy agrees: “Inspectional services is there to make sure that your contractor is doing the right thing,” he said. “You want them on your side.” 

For more information, visit Boston.gov and search for “ADU.” 

ADU checklist 

• You own and live in the property 

• You are creating a new unit, not extending living space from an existing unit 

• Property is not in a flood zone 

• Average ceiling height must be 7’ 

• Utility shutoffs (water, gas, electric) must be commonly accessible without obstruction 

• Two emergency exits 

• Bedroom emergency egress windows 

• Sprinkler system in the ADU, heat detection in the other units 

• Hardwired smoke and CO2 alarms in all units 

• Entrance lighted and visible to emergency response personnel 

The announcement was made at BBR’s May 19 annual meeting by Board Chair Rick Ames, who noted that Eos Transition Partners has been selected by the board of directors to lead the effort to identify the organization’s next leader. The process of advertising the job and recruiting candidates will take several months.  

“Matthew has been an outstanding leader of Boston Building Resources for three decades, and has helped the organization to grow and thrive throughout periods of growth and through challenging times as well,” Rick said. “Completing the zero-carbon retrofit of the Reuse Center last year is a fitting capstone on a career throughout which Matthew has helped people from all walks of life to maintain and improve their homes while keeping the environment front and center.”  

If you know qualified candidates who would be interested in applying for the position of BBR president and executive director, please contact our search consultant, John Tarvin, at jtarvin@eostransitions.com. 

Many Boston Building Resources members who are remodeling their kitchens are making the switch from gas to electric cooking to reduce their use of fossil fuels. An induction range or cooktop is a newer electric-powered technology that makes an excellent choice for ease of cooking, health and safety, and energy efficiency.

Ease of cooking

You may have seen ads highlighting just how quickly water comes to a boil on an induction cooktop. That’s no joke. This blog post on the Green Building Advisor website extols the virtues of induction cooking. The author conducted an experiment: cooking eleven pounds of potatoes—half on an induction burner and half on a conventional electric burner. In the end, the potatoes on the induction stove were done before the pot on the conventional electric burner had even come to a boil. Talk about saving time!

Some induction stoves include a “bridge” element, which is ideal for those who, for example, love pancakes and want to use a griddle on their stove. It can also be used to make gravy in a long roasting pan rather than transferring it to a pot. So many possibilities.

Pancakes aside, the bottom line is that induction cooktops cook food more quickly and are quicker to adjust to temperature changes. The temperature is more precise than either traditional electric or gas stoves. The “magic” happens in the electromagnetic field below the glass cooktop surface. It transfers current directly to magnetic cookware, causing it to heat up. This is also why you may need to buy new pans when you add an induction stove to your kitchen. Induction will work with stainless steel and cast iron, but not with copper or aluminum.

Health and safety

Induction stoves are much safer than their gas counterparts for several reasons. Many people don’t realize it but turning on the exhaust fan every time you use a gas stove is imperative—not just when something has scorched on the stove. Richard Shaughnessy, Ph.D., director of research and manager of the indoor air program at the University of Tulsa in Oklahoma, states in this New York Times article, “Any time you’re cooking or searing something in a pan, you’re producing ultra-fine particles in the air that are not just particles, but coated with all sorts of other chemicals that you don’t want to be breathing.” In addition, nitrogen dioxide may be produced during the combustion process which is known to cause breathing issues, particularly in children.

In case it’s not obvious, gas stoves have open flames which can accidentally catch pot holders, aprons, kitchen towels, etc., on fire. Additionally, a very low gas flame can be blown out by a breeze coming through a nearby window, which may cause flammable natural gas to leak into the kitchen space. These are risks if you have children who “get into everything,” as well as for older residents who may have hand tremors or slower reflexes.

Induction stoves only heat items with iron particles in them. In other words, it can’t catch anything on fire, and induction burners aren’t as hot to the touch, even if you’ve just removed the pan. (Some of the heat does transfer from the pot to the element—just like it would if you placed a hot pan on a granite countertop—so it’s not completely cool to the touch as some people believe.)

Energy efficiency

From an energy efficiency standpoint, research shows that induction cooktops are 84% energy efficient, while gas cooktops are only 40% energy efficient. We’ve also read that induction is 10% more efficient than traditional electric. The trick is that heat isn’t lost as it is transferred from the heating element to the pan. You won’t feel waves of heat around the bottom of the pan as you do with a gas stove as the flame heats not only the pan, but also the air around it. All the heating energy goes right into the pan. The result is energy savings—and faster cooking times.

That’s enough blogging for now. Time to make some pancakes.

Because of the potential of ADUs to help mitigate Boston’s housing shortage, the City has incentives in place to help people create these additional units, including financing and assistance in navigating the permitting and approval process. This program will be the focus of a panel discussion at the May 19 annual meeting of Boston Building Resources.

The meeting is set for 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at BBR’s Reuse Center, 88 Terrace Street, Roxbury Crossing. Panelists include Anita Christon, Program Manager for HomeWorks and ADU Programs; Cheryl Odom and Thomas O’Donnell, Plans Examiners for the City’s Inspectional Services Department; and Mark Kennedy and Lena Brown, BBR members and homeowners who have participated in the City’s ADU program.

The public is welcome to attend the program. To register, please fill in this webform.

Friday, April 22, is Earth Day ’22! At Boston Building Resources, we’re celebrating all week long by offering $22 in “BBR Bucks” when you join or renew your membership in the store.

The Co-op at Boston Building Resources supports the environment with items such as rain barrels, home compost bins, and energy-saving supplies. The Reuse Center at BBR gives a second life to more than $2 million worth of used and surplus building materials each year that would otherwise be needlessly wasted, and operates in a zero carbon building powered by solar panels. That makes Earth Day one of our favorite holidays.

Stop by from April 19 through 23, become a member or renew your membership in person, and receive a $22 “BBR Bucks” coupon to spend on merchandise any time during 2022. Standard and Plus members will both receive BBR Bucks; Plus members still need to provide a copy of their tax return as proof of income to receive Plus Member pricing at the Reuse Center.

• You must join or renew in the store to receive BBR Bucks. Online renewals do not qualify.

• BBR Bucks may be used at either the Co-op or the Reuse Center. The full amount must be used completely in one in-store transaction. They can not be used for online purchases, and they must be used by December 31, 2022.

• BBR Bucks are good for merchandise paid in full. They are not valid for deposits, membership fees, pickup fees, workshops, or any other fees. BBR Bucks are not refundable.

• One per household, please.

If you have a current membership, you can still participate. Renew for an additional year during Earth Week and we will extend your current membership by 12 months.

The watercolor Earth painting used on our website is by Ukranian artist Elena Mozhvilo via Unsplash.