It's not exactly Home Depot, but a new store opens today in Hilo selling building materials, tools and large appliances at a discount.

The difference is that merchandise in the new store is used or recycled, and the warehouse is considerably smaller than Home Depot. Also, shopping at Laulima Hana Resale Store benefits a local nonprofit and reduces waste going into the landfill.

The Arc of Hilo, a 54-year-old Big Island nonprofit, is opening the store with inventory that includes 33 toilets, 1,200 gallons of paint, a table saw and building materials, from floor tiles to roof tiles.

The home-improvement store with used merchandise is part of a trend on the Mainland and in Hawai'i, where a handful of similar operations exist, including Habitat ReStores in Kona and on Maui operated by local affiliates of the nonprofit Habitat for Humanity.

"It's a trend that's beginning to increase in Hawai'i," said Tim Mauldin, Laulima Hana project manager. "The time is right for it to be in Hilo."

Nonprofits that recycle and resell building materials typically accept donations from contractors and property owners, who can claim tax deductions for their contributions. Consumers get used materials at a fraction of the cost of comparable new items. And the environment benefits from reduced waste being taken to the landfill.

On the Big Island, Hilo's landfill is expected to reach full capacity and close in about four years.

Government officials are wrestling with options that include opening a new landfill in Hilo, trucking trash across the island to the Pu'uanahulu landfill, or shipping waste off island by barge for disposal elsewhere.

Mike Gleason, Arc president and CEO, said reselling building materials is an opportunity to serve various needs in the community, including providing vocational training and employment for people with disabilities served by other Arc programs.

Arc was established in 1954 and is involved in a variety of enterprises, which include providing vocational training and job assistance for people with disabilities, operating the state's beverage recycling program on the Big Island and owning three low-income apartment buildings.

The nonprofit obtained a $200,000 grant from the federal Environmental Protection Agency through the Hawaii Island Economic Development Board to start up Laulima Hana.

Arc leased an 18,000-square-foot building that was the longtime home of Miko Meat, which produced Portuguese sausage, hot dogs and other food items. The store at 230 Kekuanaoa St. is 4,500 square feet, with the rest of the building used by the nonprofit and leased to other tenants.

Store hours of operation are 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday, and 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Saturdays.

Donations are accepted Monday through Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.

So far, Laulima Hana has received donations from residents and businesses, including Hawaii Planing Mill, Isemoto Contracting Co. and ICI Paints. The 33 toilets priced at $50 each are from the luxury Mauna Kea Beach Hotel, which is closed for repairs and renovations.

Mauldin said the store will accept a wide variety of building materials, including lumber at least six feet long with few or no nails, and plywood and sheetrock at least 4 feet by 4 feet. Large appliances that are less than five years old and are in good condition also are welcome, as are working tools.

For a more complete list of items acceptable for donations call 808-935-3884 or visit the store.