Reuse Explorations Guide Innovative Programs and Strategies Written by Athena Lee Bradley and Mary Ann Remolador Northeast Recycling Council, Inc. (NERC) With funding from the Rural Utility Services, United States Department of Agriculture NERC is an equal opportunity provider and employer. August 2016 Acknowledgements The Northeast Recycling Council, Inc. (NERC) is a nonprofit organization that conducts projects in the eleven Northeast states, as well as around the country. Its mission is to promote sustainable materials management by supporting traditional and innovative solid waste best practices, focusing on waste prevention, toxics reduction, reuse, recycling and organics recovery. NERC received a grant from the United States Department of Agriculture, Rural Utility Services for “Innovative Strategies & Best Management Practices for Implementing Reuse Programs in Rural Communities in New York State & the St. Regis Mohawk Nation.” Through the project NERC provided webinars, trainings, resources, and technical assistance. The following individuals and organizations provided invaluable and generous assistance in the development and implementation of the project. NERC would like to extend its appreciation to and acknowledge the following people who worked with NERC on reuse: • Jan M. Oatman, Regional Recycling Coordinator, Development Authority of the North Country • St. Lawrence County Reuse Partnership: John Tenbusch, St. Lawrence County Environmental Management Council; Larry Legault, Operations/Recycling Manager, St. Lawrence County Solid Waste Operations; Chelle Lindahl, Co-Coordinator, Local Living Venture; and, Jennifer Lauzon, New York Department of Environmental Conservation, Region 6 • Larry Thompson, Recycling Coordinator, Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe (Akwesasne) • Catherine (Katie) Liendecker & others with Lyons Falls, New York and Lyons Falls Alive • MaryEllen Etienne, The Reuse Institute • Diane Cohen, Executive Director, Finger Lakes ReUse, Inc. • Forest Finds Thrift Shop • Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection • Department of Public Works, Northampton, Massachusetts • Lynn Rubinstein, Executive Director and Robert Kropp, Office Manager/Bookkeeper, NERC for their input and editing of this guide • Those who responded to NERC’s initial inquiry seeking examples of reuse programs in action • United States Department of Agriculture, Rural Utilities Services, without whose support and funding this guide and NERC’s reuse project would not have been possible. This material is based upon work supported under a grant from the Utilities Programs, United States Department of Agriculture. Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are solely the responsibility of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official view of the Utilities Programs. No program, business, or product endorsements or warranties are intended by inclusion in this document. References are for example purposes only. TABLE OF CONTENTS EXPLORING THE GUIDE ........................................................................................................................ 1 DISCOVER REUSE ................................................................................................................................. 1 Something for Everyone! ................................................................................................................. 1 Discovering the Benefits of Reuse ................................................................................................... 2 A Path to Sustainability ................................................................................................................ 2 Environmental Benefits ................................................................................................................ 3 Economic and Social Benefits ...................................................................................................... 3 Reuse—It’s Within Reach ................................................................................................................ 5 Exploring Reuse Metrics .................................................................................................................. 6 THE REUSE JOURNEY STARTS HERE ..................................................................................................... 6 Nuts and Bolts .............................................................................................................................. 7 Taking the Lead ............................................................................................................................ 8 Basic Steps ................................................................................................................................... 9 REUSE PROGRAMS ABOUND ............................................................................................................. 10 Adaptive Reuse .............................................................................................................................. 10 Adaptive Reuse Benefits ............................................................................................................ 11 Exploring Building Adaption?..................................................................................................... 11 Building Materials Reuse ............................................................................................................... 13 College “Move out Days” ............................................................................................................... 16 Getting Started .......................................................................................................................... 16 Creative Reuse ............................................................................................................................... 21 Community Reuse Directories ....................................................................................................... 25 Corporate Reuse ............................................................................................................................ 26 Durables and Refillables ................................................................................................................ 27 Food Recovery ............................................................................................................................... 29 Food Donation ........................................................................................................................... 29 Farm Gleaning ........................................................................................................................... 29 Food to Animals ......................................................................................................................... 30 Materials Exchanges ...................................................................................................................... 32 Refurbish/Reconditioning .............................................................................................................. 34 Remanufacturing ........................................................................................................................... 35 Repair ............................................................................................................................................. 37 Repair Cafés ............................................................................................................................... 37 Fixit Clinics .................................................................................................................................. 38 Reuse Sheds ................................................................................................................................... 41 Getting Started .......................................................................................................................... 41 Secondhand Markets ..................................................................................................................... 45 Sharing Economy ........................................................................................................................... 48 Textile Recovery ............................................................................................................................. 51 Existing Textiles Collection Infrastructure.................................................................................. 51 Textile Reuse and Recycling Markets ......................................................................................... 52 Tool Lending Library ...................................................................................................................... 57 Reuse Events—Fast, Flexible, Affordable .......................................................................................... 59 Reuse Event Planning in Easy Steps ............................................................................................... 59 Initial Planning ........................................................................................................................... 59 Type of Event ............................................................................................................................. 60 Budget and Funding ..................................................................................................................