An interview with Steve Feldman from Green Demolitions, “Recycling Luxury for Recovery.”

By Jeanine Behr Getz

Photography by ChiChi Ubiña

Green Demolitions was started by a man who had a quest to support and grow addiction recovery programs that inspired his own recovery and a “demolition in progress” sign that sparked the self funding, internationally lauded, green business model.

FCL: What is Green Demolitions?
SF: Green Demolitions is a self-sustaining donation program recycling luxury kitchens, demolitions, and commercial surplus. Proceeds benefit Recovery Unlimited, the operating name of a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization supporting a highly effective addiction recovery program established in 1964. Donations support our charitable work sustaining and expanding the 77-acre meeting and retreat center from which All Addicts Anonymous outreach programs are operated.

FCL: How is Green Demolitions Green?
SF: Green Demolitions is green three ways:

1. Financial gain - everybody saves money- donors (instant tax deduction, free professional insured removal and pick up), consumers (prices are 50-90% off list prices) , and industry professionals (great resource)
2. Protection of the environment - landfill waste reduction, energy costs savings, and forestry preservation
3. Self-supporting charity - We don’t do any fundraising. 35% of our employees are recovered addicts or family members of recovered addicts. Over the last 6 years GD has funded $1.5 million for outreach programs of All Addicts Anonymous (AAA)  

FCL: What types of outreach programs does Green Demolitions support?
SF: GD supports a 77 acre retreat and meeting center in the Catskills, that is free of charge to stay at and it provides an effective, unspoiled, and beautiful location to do the work of the Program. It supports resources for addicts worldwide – books, websites, newsletters, and electronic media, and a traditional music group and dance troupe, Basket Landing performing for schools, prisons, and youth programs.

FCL: How can I buy a kitchen / décor / luxury items?
SF: To buy, visit our web site Green Demolitions or call us. We employ 43 full time employees, we have warehouses in CT, NJ and PA. Our inventory is always turning over. We have shipped kitchens to 29 states. We have a new section that is on fire – the luxury bargain hunters club!

FCL: What can our readers donate?
SF: We make it easy for donors, industry professionals and consumers to work with us. We accept kitchens, bathroom fixtures, home décor plus. On our web site there is a donation link for homeowners and industry professionals. Another bonus is that Green Demolitions does all the doing. We do EVERYTHING from scheduling your project, removing and/or picking up your items, and handling all the tax paperwork. ALL FREE!

FCL: Do you collaborate with other charities?
SF: Yes, we work with many charities. A few are, Audubon, Greenwich Land Trust, and Near & FarAid. We like to be invited to green expos and fairs. We look forward to working with many more.

FCL: How can our readers support your philanthropy efforts?
SF: Talk about us! Share what we are doing, how and why we are doing it with your friends, family, social networks. Share our link, write an article about us or feature us in a news story. And RECYCLE before you throw out!