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NANAIMO, B.C. — Light House’s Building Material Exchange (BMEx) program and Habitat for Humanity Mid-Vancouver Island have launched the inaugural “Don’t Dump it, Donate it” Building Material Drive, calling on the Mid-Vancouver Island construction industry to donate surplus and salvaged building materials to the Habitat ReStore instead of sending them to landfill.

The six-week initiative is more than just a donation drive, it’s a friendly industry-wide challenge that invites companies across Mid-Vancouver Island to compete, collaborate and demonstrate their leadership in building material reuse, a release reads.

Donor businesses will receive recognition throughout the campaign.

The winning business, which is the organization donating the largest volume of reusable building materials during the collection drive, will be announced at the annual ReStore Summer Social on Sept. 7. 

The Canadian Home Builders’ Association Vancouver Island (CHBAVI) supports the initiative and is calling on its membership network to participate in the inaugural collection drive. 

“Builders play an important role in shaping the communities where we live and work,” says Kerriann Coady, CEO with the CHBAVI, in a statement. “The Building Material Drive is a chance for our industry to take that impact one step further by keeping valuable materials in use and supporting a cause that benefits our entire region. We’re challenging our members to get involved, rally their teams, donate every week and show what the construction sector can achieve when we come together over the next six weeks. Contributing CHBAVI members will be celebrated and recognized.”

B Gallant Homes Ltd., a CHBA-VI member, has been regularly donating surplus and salvaged building materials from its residential projects to Habitat ReStore.

“As residential contractors, we see firsthand the impact that quality materials have on creating a home,” says John Peace, operations manager and partner of B Gallant Homes LTD. “Partnering with Habitat for Humanity allows us to extend that into the wider Vancouver Island community. Donating these materials isn’t just about reducing jobsite waste, it’s about structural sustainability and helping neighbours build a solid foundation for the future.” 

Donated materials will be accepted at Habitat ReStore locations in Nanaimo and Duncan, while free pickup is available for qualifying donations from jobsites and warehouses across the region.

Habitat for Humanity will provide charitable tax receipts for donated materials as well.

The release notes, since launching in 2024, BMEx has engaged more than 600 companies in the Regional District of Nanaimo alone.  

“When people think about construction waste, they often picture damaged materials headed for the bin. In reality, some of these materials are perfectly usable surplus products: old warehouse stock, cancelled orders, leftover materials from completed projects, or quality materials carefully salvaged during renovation and deconstruction,” says Ava Campbell, circular impact lead at Light House. “This campaign creates an easy pathway for those materials to stay in use.” 

Since 1991, Habitat ReStores have diverted more than 1 billion pounds of reusable materials from landfill, with proceeds from donated materials helping fund Habitat for Humanity’s affordable homebuilding projects across Mid-Vancouver Island. 

“Every donation to Habitat ReStore has a direct impact on our ability to build affordable housing in Mid-Vancouver Island,” says Sarah Bramley, interim executive director of Habitat for Humanity Mid-Vancouver Island. “When contractors donate surplus building materials, they’re doing far more than clearing a warehouse or jobsite. Those materials are given a second life through our ReStores, and the proceeds from every sale help fund affordable homeownership opportunities for local families.”

More information on accepted materials, scheduling a pickup or participating in the campaign can be