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Rebuilding Exchange Makes Furniture Out Of Trash

CHICAGO (CBS) -- Looking for a unique gift this holiday season? A Chicago company that makes furniture out of garbage may have the answer.

This trash is actually timber, and in the last four years the Rebuilding Exchange has diverted 7,000 tons of waste from landfills, according to Executive Director Elise Zelechowski.

She said 40 percent of what ends up in landfills is building material.

So, the non-profit has been turning those materials into coffee tables, shelves and other pieces.

LISTEN: WBBM Newsradio's Nancy Harty Reports

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Now Zelechowski said they're ready to expand, and are looking to donors for the capital. They've launched a month-long campaign to raise $40,000 through the Kickstarter website.

If the incentive of creating local jobs and keeping waste out of landfills isn't enough to move you, Zelechowski said donors will receive rewards - anything from a hand-crafted beer bottle opener to furniture.

The campaign runs through December 13th.

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