Starting a Reuse Center in the Capital District - A Public Information Forum

Program Type:

Other

Age Group:

Adults
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Event Details

A group of individuals, from various local organizations and municipalities, have come together to propose the creation of a Capital District Reuse Center.  We would like to hold a series of Public Information Forums around the Capital Region where we can present our vision for the Reuse Center and get feedback from the community and stakeholders.  (This would be the first Forum.)

Modeled after Finger Lakes ReUse, a non-profit in Ithaca, NY, the proposed Capital District Community ReUse Center would be a “destination,” not just a store.  We envision:
➢ Ease of access: potentially open 7 days/week and on a public transit line
➢ Free curbside pick up schedule of donated items
➢ Offering useable materials from construction, rehab, and demolition sites.
➢ Electronics recycling
➢ Supplies for artists and artisans
➢ Partnering with social service organizations to provide gift cards to families in need 
➢ Repair Café on site to fix beloved, broken items and keep out of the landfill
➢ Food scraps collection for composting on site
➢ Workforce development opportunities: offering job training in retail, repairing, computer technology, deconstruction/ green construction, offering pathways out of poverty

The Finger Lakes ReUse Center has been very successful.  We are grateful to its founder and CEO, Diane Cohen, for agreeing to mentor us through this process:
o Since its inception in 2017, Finger Lakes Reuse has helped over 1800 households and provided nearly $350,000 in ReUse retail items.  This is in addition to running a ReUse Skills and Employment Training (ReSET) program which has created over 80 active fair wage employment opportunities as of 2020, and continues to add positions as it grows.
o Annually diverts from the waste stream hundreds of tons of materials related to construction, computers, electronics, appliances, household goods, sporting equipment, textiles, furniture, books, media and more.
 
For more information contact info@zerowastecd.org