Tags
conservation, diy, do it yourself, reclaimed wood, recycling, rethinking obsolescence, small rants
Reclaimed wood is big business these days. A simple Google search turns up millions of shopping results and billions of pictures, ideas, and Pinterest boards or Instagram photos. Reclaimed wood can go for prices from $7 to $25 per square foot, and it’s being sold by big companies. In comparison, new wood can be sold for prices as low as $3 per square foot.
I’m serious.
That’s roughly equivalent trying to collect royalties on an expired copyright and making someone pay for the same service twice. It’s shady, it’s borderline unethical, and it’s really, really annoying.
In short, they are making people pay for a used item, and not even for charity. For profit. Am I the only one who sees something wrong with this?
Kitschy post-consumer culture puts reclaimed wood in demand. But, again, this is reclaimed wood. It’s already been used and paid for once. Sure, I’m all for reusing lumber and saving forests! But selling it for more than new?
Why make people pay more to be environmentally friendly?
I’d much rather go out and get my own. I’ll work for it, thank you very much. It’s my time and I’ll spend it how I like. After all, I’ve got more time than money.
Rant over.
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