Raise a Hand for Reuse
by Phoebe Schenker
This year for the holidays my sister got me a pair of gardening gloves. She bought them used, and they have a Union Pacific logo on them. They’re so soft and well made and I love thinking about their history on the railroads while I tackle the #%$!* dandelions. They fill me with joy. I’ve been thinking a lot about the joy of reuse, along with the hard work, over these last six months with Reuse Alliance. The joy of receiving something used can’t begin to compare with the joy of finding a new home for 85+ toys at a Toy Swap or repairing a prized laminator (and 69 other objects) at a Repair Fair. Or the countless faces lighting up when we connect people to reuse resources. It’s so therapeutic. Way better than whatever dopamine you get from buying something on the internet, trust me. I want everyone to experience reuse therapy, but we can’t do it without you…
In 2024 we have big plans to grow our local Reuse + Repair Programs, to expand our Reuse Resources, and to launch our first Reuse Awareness Campaign being designed by the talented students at CCA tbd* this spring. We will continue to convene reuse practitioners locally and nationwide (look for more on this soon!), and to work behind the scenes on reuse research and policy initiatives.
It will take many hands to shift our world towards reuse, to create a place that values our resources and uses them wisely and over and over until they wear out completely. You can’t get a lot for $5 these days, but you can make a monthly contribution to Reuse Alliance and make a big difference. If each person who receives Reuse News could commit that much we could fund all our initiatives for the year. Or, if you can, give $100 before the end of the year and receive the tax benefits and a tiny taste of the joy of reuse. You can even dedicate your gift to that hard to shop for family member…
Thank you to everyone who has donated time and resources to Reuse Alliance in 2023. Thank you to the board, to the volunteers, to our partners, and supporters. I’m so grateful to be doing this impactful work, and especially for each of you and all you’ve contributed… We’re making the world a better, more joyful place, and I couldn’t do it without you.
May your holidays be filled with the joy of reuse.
Phoebe
(Phoebe Schenker is the Executive Director of Reuse Alliance)
Gifts wrapped in fabric from our holiday gift wrapping fundraisers.
Upcoming Reuse Events
January 10 : Lamp Repair Workshop
Want to learn new skills in the new year? Join us at the Sonoma Valley Regional Library on January 10th from 6-7:30pm for a lamp repair workshop. Bring your own lamp, or practice on one of ours.
January 16 : Reuse Roundtable Q1
We will be gathering local reuse practitioners in Santa Rosa for the first roundtable of 2024 focussed on research. Click the link below for more details and to register.
March 12 : Re-X Before Recycling Prize
US Department of Energy’s Advanced Materials and Manufacturing Technologies Office (AMMT0) is offering a new prize (with large cash rewards and technical assistance) for reimagining ways to reuse, repair, refurbish, remanufacture or repurpose goods. The first deadline is 03/12/24.
Reuse in the News
A new study (including some great graphics) from the Ellen MacArthur Foundation shows that reusable packaging can offer significant environmental benefits, and — once scaled — can compete with the economics of single-use packaging.
MERP needs a new home! Read about it here.
We had such fun teaching people to wrap gifts in fabric this holiday season. See how the NYTimes covers the trend here. You know it’s main stream when BHG is in on it.
Reuse to Amuse
First King Charles’ visited the Repair Shop, now he’s Repurposed Curtains I’ll be watching for Resale and Refill in 2024...
Technically it’s upcycling, but for sure it’s 100% Simone Giertz…
Why do we wrap presents anyway? Finally, some answers.
