System and Method for Reusing or Recycling Building Material

A method of reusing masonry units, the method comprising:

• receiving masonry units in a single file manner;
• inserting a predetermined number of the masonry units into a first slot of a collection bin in a single file manner;
• inserting a predetermined number of masonry units into a second slot of the collection bin in a single file manner, the first slot being adjacent to the second slot;
• raising a pallet to be at least generally level with the first and second slots;
• ejecting at least some of the masonry units from each slot in a single file manner onto the pallet, the masonry units being ejected to form an organized pattern on the pallet;
• and
• lowering the pallet once a desired number of masonry units are placed thereon.

A system for reusing one or more masonry units, the system comprising:

• a flatbed truck including at least one vertical lift, the lift being movable with respect to the flatbed truck from a lower, compact position to a higher, extended position;
• at least one collection bin including a first end, an opposing second end, and a longitudinal axis extending therebetween, a plurality of elongated slots extend along the longitudinal axis of the collection bin, the plurality of slots are arranged in rows and columns, each slot including an open first end and an opposing second end, the first end of each slot being sized and shaped to receive at least one masonry unit therein, the collection bin being placed on the flatbed truck, the first end of the collection bin being positioned proximate to the vertical lift, the lift being movable at least generally perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis of the collection bin;
• at least one push bar extending into an interior of the collection bin, the push bar being movable with respect to the collection bin in a direction that is at least generally parallel to the longitudinal axis;
• a conveyor extending from proximate to one or more masonry units to proximate to the first end of the collection bin, the conveyor being configured to supply at least one of the masonry units to the collection bin;
• and
• a separating machine positioned proximate to a first end of the conveyor, the separating machine including a handle configured to actuate a blade to remove at least one of debris and grout from at least one of the masonry units.