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Material Exchanges – usually this is a referral or listing service that helps connect those with unwanted materials to those looking for the same type of material. Usually, exchanges serve as a contact point or broker and do not physically handle materials. Some examples of regional on-line material exchanges include Freecycle, Craigslist, and eBay. Consider buying goods that will have a long life; avoiding one-use items. Well made products usually can be fixed and repaired. There are professionals and artisans that will repair a number of goods including cars, appliances, shoes, leather goods, jewelry, lamps, books, and clothing. Look for them in the yellow pages or an on-line search engine. Donating and buying reusable goods not only helps protect the environment, it also helps your local economy.
The Beautiful Stuff Project New Paltz Reuse Center
Some of these exchanges limit their services to specific geographic areas or user groups. Additional listings can be found through U.S. EPA and the Northeast Recycling Council material exchange webpages.
Thrift stores like Goodwill Industries and Salvation Army accept donations of good usable furniture and household items and sell these goods at low cost. Books can also be donated to Better World Books.
In Connecticut, we have a thrift stores and consignment shops in many towns that are run by local organizations and private individuals. Try the yellow pages, on-line or in your telephone book under "thrift" and "consignment". Some on-line sources to give or receive used materials for free or low-cost include yahoo groups like Freecycle and ReUseIt Network (RIN) or on-line classifieds for free stuff or for selling goods include Craigslist and eBay. Business Equipment Business equipment, furniture and supplies are also often accepted by local thrift stores and consignment shops, including Goodwill Industries and Salvation Army. Some on-line sources to give or receive used materials for free or low-cost include yahoo groups like Freecycle and ReUseIt Network (RIN) or on-line classifieds for free stuff or for selling goods include Craigslist and eBay. Reuse stores are not just for non-profit organizations. Stores selling/buying/trading used sports equipment are on the rise, including Play it Again Sports found throughout the country including stores in CT. Another option is Replay Sports in Groton, CT. Some on-line sources to give or receive used materials for free or low-cost include yahoo groups like Freecycle and ReUseIt Network (RIN) or on-line classifieds for free stuff or for selling goods include Craigslist and eBay.
If you have a computer that is still in good working order, you may be able to donate it to a school, or to an organization that distributes computers to schools. Some organizations provide technology not only to schools, but will also provide equipment to non-profits and/or public agencies that provide services to the needy, the unemployed or the disabled. Each organization that promotes electronics reuse has very specific requirements regarding the equipment that they accept, so call first to find out if your used equipment is a good fit with that organization’s needs. If your computer is an older model that may not meet the needs of today’s school system, but still works well, you may want to consider donating it to a local nursery school where speed and issues such as internet access are not an important consideration. You may also want to contact other local charitable organizations such as Goodwill Industries or Salvation Army . For national computer reuse options visit the National Cristina Foundation. Don’t trash your e-waste! Learn more about electronic waste to ensure that you are disposing of your electronic devices properly. Thrift stores like Salvation Army and Goodwill Industries accept donations of good usable clothing and sell goods at low cost. In Connecticut, we have a thrift stores and consignment shops in many towns that are run by local organizations and private individuals. Try the yellow pages, on-line or in your telephone book under "thrift" and "consignment". Many communities with solid waste or recycling transfer stations have Swap Shops, a barn, shed or other building where residents may take or leave useable household items. Contact your local recycling coordinator to learn if you have a Swap Shop in your community. If not, encourage them to do so. It can become a hub for community activity! Swap Shops should be in a dedicated area, shed or building at the Transfer Station. Learn more by reading CET’s Swap Depot Starter Kit. NERC: Materials Exchanges in the Northeast – includes an extensive list of organizations and groups that handle a wide range of materials including food, art supplies, medical equipment and building materials. CT DEEP: A Guide to Local Building Material Reuse Centers pdf color brochure EPA: Reuse in New England – Materials Exchanges SWIX: Electronic Recycling Exchange NERC: Materials Exchange Marketing Plan NERC: State Surplus Property Fact Sheets & Contact Information CET: How to start a Swap Shop in your town EPA: Resource Guide for Donation Opportunities NERC: Environmental Benefits Calculator: Quantifying the Benefits of Waste Reduction and Recycling Recycler’s World: Information and Materials Exchange Directory ReDO: Reuse Development Organization East Bay Depot for Creative Reuse Top of Page | Reduce/Reuse/Recycle
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