Non-profit issues call for donations from city's builders.

A non-profit re-use warehouse in Astoria, Queens, has an open call to builders, developers, owners and other real estate interests involved in emptying out buildings on their way to conversion into coops and condos. Instead of trashing building materials and fixtures that could be recycled, donate them instead to Build It Green! NYC at 3-17 26th Avenue at 4th Street, Astoria (www.bignyc.org).

By doing so, donors can take a tax deduction, because Build It Green! NYC is non-profit, while also saving on haulage and dumping fees.

Build It Green! NYC is dedicated to preserving the environment and the operation saves perfectly reusable materials from construction sites. It recycles these materials and sells them in mint condition to homeowners, building owners, renovators, decorators and do-it-yourselfer at discount.

For sale at Build It Green! NYC are cabinets and shelving, appliances such as dishwashers and refrigerators, plumbing and lighting fixtures, trim, tile, doors and window frames, carpeting. Also sold at greatly marked-down prices are surplus materials donated by manufacturers, including many gallons of house paint. High-end items that have moved in and out of the warehouse recently include a huge Sub-Zero refrigerator, tall mahogany doors and a marble fireplace and mantle.

Justin Green, the warehouse manager, explained how money made goes to environmental education programs for schoolchildren sponsored by Build It Green! NYC's parent, Community Environmental Center, a Long Island City organization which promotes "green" building technology.

The 17,500 s/f Build It Green! NYC warehouse is open Tuesday through Saturday. For easy-to-follow directions and other details, go to www.bignyc.org, or phone [phone].

"Homeowners, businesses and building owners have saved more than $300,000 in the past year by shopping at Build It Green! NYC," says Mr. Green. "One building owner saved over $1,000 on paint alone purchased from us. Not only do our customers get to save money but they help the planet by keeping these building materials out of landfills."