Second Use & Richlite: Bringing Sustainability Back to the Sound
- Ciana
- Jul 2
- 2 min read
Coming from humble beginnings and being a part of the South Puget Sound community for over 80 years, Richlite has always felt that giving back isn’t just a nice gesture, it’s part of our mission. That includes partnering with organizations that share our commitment to sustainability and supporting the local ecosystem we call home.
A Local Connection: Second Use Building Materials
After decades of being based in the Tacoma area, we recently connected with another South Tacoma staple: Second Use. Since 1994, Second Use has been serving the Washington community by reclaiming and reselling building materials, making it easier for local DIYers and design-savvy homeowners to source unique, one-of-a-kind pieces with character and history.
Whether you're hunting for that perfect vintage fixture or sustainable lumber for a new project, Second Use is the kind of place that feels like it’s built by and for the community.
“Our materials come from and are used in the local region. The company itself is locally grown. The owners are employees, and the employees together shape the future of the business.” – Second Use Website
They envision a future where salvage and reuse are standard in every construction project, a process that’s intuitive, accessible, and even fun.
“We salvage materials and their stories, from the community, to the community.”
Our Partnership: Richlite + Second Use
When we learned more about Second Use’s mission to keep useful materials in circulation and honor the stories behind them, we knew we had to get involved. At Richlite, our manufacturing process occasionally produces sheets that don’t meet our aesthetic standards – maybe the color is slightly off, or there’s a surface imperfection. These quirks don’t impact performance, but they do give each sheet a unique personality.
Rather than discard them, we saw an opportunity to give these materials new life. Working with the Second Use team, we now offer these character-rich sheets at a highly attainable price point. They're available for same-day pickup at Second Use's Tacoma warehouse, making it easier than ever for individuals to bring sustainable, design-forward materials into their homes or businesses.
Bonus: Many of these sheets can be lightly refinished and oiled to enhance their natural appearance, giving them a polished, classic Richlite look.
How to Buy Reclaimed Richlite Sheets
You can browse available reclaimed Richlite sheets by visiting Second Use’s Tacoma location, or check online inventory across all Second Use locations by searching “Richlite".
Looking Ahead
This partnership is just the beginning. We hope to expand the variety of sizes and colorways available to the South Sound community, continuing our mission to support sustainable living with surfaces that are durable, design-driven, and environmentally conscious.
