The Morris Habitat for Humanity ReStore was honored by the Morris County Municipal Utilities Authority (MUA) at its 26th Annual Recycling Awards Dinner this April.  The Restoring Our Habitat Award recognized ReStore’s efforts to promote ways to ReCycle, ReThink, and ReDo. The ReStore,located at 274 South Salem Street in Randolph, sells donated building supplies, appliances and furniture at huge savings off normal retail costs, with the proceeds used to support the Morris Habitat mission of providing decent and affordable housing in Morris County.

The award recognized the ReStore’s expanded outreach in helping to educate, encourage and promote recycling and reuse.  The store’s “Go Green, Save Green” event held every October not only offers additional savings on the already discounted merchandise but also includes vendors offering a wide array of green home options.  Other events enable participants to donate old cell phones, electronics, eyeglasses, clothing, inkjet and toner cartridges, and even blood!  Partnerships with local organizations such as College Hunks Hauling Junk and 1-800-Got-Junk ensure that reusable household items are dropped off at the ReStore rather than winding up in landfills. AsReStore director Rick Ostberg notes, “These partnerships have meant that approximately 48 truckloads per year, which equates to between 70 to 100 tons of merchandise, are sold at the ReStore rather than being treated as trash.”

Recently, the ReStore has begun to work with other nonprofit agencies to identify families in dire need and then help furnish their homes, at no charge, on “Give-Away Day.” As Erin Quinn, the ReStore’s retail operations manager, says, “We are thrilled at how much the ReStore’s operation has contributed to home builds.  To date the ReStore’s profits have built eight homes.”

The ReStore’s hours are Tuesday, 12–8, Wednesday and Friday, 10–6, Thursday, 10–8, and Saturday, 10–5.  Donation drop-offs can be made during store hours; for larger items, call 973-366-3358 to schedule a pick-up. Donations are tax-deductible.

For more information on the Morris Habitat ReStore, visit MorrisRestore.org.