Keep usable items out of the trash and obtain quality items without buying new with the Hennepin County Choose to Reuse site (http://www.hennepin.us/choosetoreuse). The website is a gathering space for Twin Cities green thinkers that will help you make sustainable choices for everyday living. Choosing to reuse helps us live sustainably by reducing waste, saving natural resources, conserving energy, preventing pollution, and saving money.
The main feature of the Choose to Reuse site is a tool that directs you to the best reuse businesses for your needs. Choose if you want to sell, donate, buy, repair, rent or care from a number of different item categories, such as clothing, electronics, furniture, games, and household items.
The site also features “Spotlight on Reuse” articles that explore in detail current topics in reuse. Additionally, the site lists upcoming events across the county to encourage reuse habits and community building. Lastly, the site allows you to submit reuse businesses that Choose to Reuse may have missed, as well as any reuse ideas and events that you have.
Finding the right reuse retailer for you
In Hennepin County there are over 600 local places to sell, donate, buy, repair, rent, and share items. With this many options it can be hard to determine which business is right for you. This is where the Choose to Reuse website comes in to help. At the Choose to Reuse homepage you enter in the item you have or want, your intended action, and your zip code. The Choose to Reuse site will then provide you with a list of all convenient locations for your reuse needs.
By providing a larger number of options and covering all reuse actions, the new website can help you find answers to a wide variety of reuse searches. The site can help you with common searches, such as where to buy quality used clothes near you. Or it can help with less common asks, such as, where you can resell your old gardening tools or where you can rent costumes and formalwear. The 28 item categories include common material such as household items, clothing and exercise equipment, as well as lesser common materials like medical equipment, vehicles and boats. Lastly, the site covers all 145 zip codes in Hennepin County, so you’ll be able to find information whether you live in Minneapolis or Independence.
Why is reusing so important?
There are benefits of reducing and reusing for our environment, in our communities and our homes.
The process of making new items uses natural resources and raw materials, which can harm the environment for future generations. Additionally, the process of making new items can also be a significant source of air and water pollution. So, by choosing to reuse, you’ll be conserving energy, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and preventing pollution. And by using products to their full extent, you prevent waste and keep usable good out of the trash. All of this makes choosing to reuse a great way to live sustainably.
Additionally, reuse retailers play an important role in supporting our communities. Buying new is expensive and often unnecessary for most people. Reuse retailers provide residents the option to save money while still getting quality items, instead, of buying new items at a much higher price. Also, reuse retailers provide a place for residents to resell or donate items they no longer want, which helps residents prevent waste and possibly make some money. All of these are important reasons to check out the new Choose to Reuse website and start taking action to reuse today.
Information for this story was provided by the Hennepin County Choose to Reuse program.
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