Everytime I watch this show I am bothered by the images of building materials that are being thrown out. For example, in one episode a woman is shown tossing a perfectly good sink out of the window, only for it to shatter in the dumpster. That sink was still good and could have been used. Our town has a Habitat for Humanity thrift store that takes excess or used building supplies and recycles them. That is something that TLC could promote!

I totally agree with you. I am apalled how much is destroyed that could have been reused. I renovated a derelict house myself with my son's help and we recycled what we could and gave away the rest to people in a recycling group. It's a sad symptom of our society to have judgmental young yuppie types waste so much just because they think it's "old". I like watching the show for its results but it could use a major attitude overhaul, including some of the people and sometimes Doug.

I just sat down to comment about last evening's show and see that I am not the only one who is appalled by the waste of materials. Specifically in last night's episode there were perfectly good kitchen cabinets that the homwowner broke to bits with a sledge hammer, after Doug painted a bullseye on the doors. I can understand if something is no longer usable but tossing stuff out seems to be the norm. I renovated a kitchen recently and donated everything to Habitat to Humanity. They even came and picked it up. What a gold star that would be for both Doug and the Moving Up crew if they would do the same.

This particular issue was addressed in posts many times in the past.Some Home Owners/Participants even gave replies on this subject.I think often some people DO donate,or recyle as they make changes.
It may not be 'on film' but you can't assume these people are wasteful, lack the concern for the environment, or the needs of organizations as those mentioned.
It IS their home, and if something may be infit/unsafe to reuse they have the intelligence and judgement to make these choices.A sink? may seem fine, but there are times when mold,or on older homes even a cabinet may be older than it appears. Lead content in older paints are very much a hazard, so before you diss, or accuse these people of ' being wasteful', you may need to realize the risks are not always obvious or visible.
I commend you for your concerns.I do think the participants ,(In my opinion) have not been wasteful, and do have a social consious re: reuse of safe building materials.

This program highlights a great deal of waste of materials - cabinets, appliances, wood flooring, bathroom cabinetry, ceiling fixtures/fans,etc. The new homeowners take great pleasure using a huge sledge hammer to destroy things that the old homeowner had just described as "new" or custom made. The issue is not mold or rot. It's simply change. And if that is not real, simply a tv portrayal, then the editing needs work. As more and more of us live in apartments, (moves triggered by the state of the economy or foreclosure), it's sickening to see such mass destruction. My kitchen cabinets are made of pressed wood, with wood grain paper over it. Biodegradable all right. They are biodegrading as they hang on the walls. And my countertop is some sort of fake "butcher block". The bathroom undersink counters are made of the same pressed wood and the counter tops are painted. I would happily accept any of the cast-offs BEFORE they are smashed. Also your homeowners are rude and malicious when the see the work of the new owners. What's that all about? I thought you were supposed to "let go" at closing.

Amen!!