Reuse is simply the act of finding a second (or third, or tenth or hundredth) use for a product to prolong its life. Reuse is an important step after you’ve already reduced, but before you are ready to recycle.Reuse is a process that many of us already implement in our everyday lives without realizing it. Any time you buy or sell a product second-hand, such as from SEVCA, Craigslist, or eBay you are providing an additional use for this product, while at the same time, not requiring another one to be created.
The important thing to consider when you want to reuse is that “creativity is king” in the process. The creativity also provides the opportunity to be thrifty, by reusing what you already have for new, innovative purposes.
“Sewing Peace”
In 2016, Dan Farrar, transfer station operator at the Springfield Transfer Station, accepted unwanted, working sewing machines for “Sewing Peace,” an initiative of Pedals for Progress. The year’s (2021) total was 70 machines, which were shipped to partnering organizations in Sierra Leone and Guatemala. If you have a useable machine to donate, please bring it to the Ludlow or Springfield transfer stations. Read more about the Foundation on the Pedals for Progress website. Read more…
Paint
“Be paint wise; buy the right size.”
Materials Exchanges
Materials exchanges facilitate the reuse of materials and save them from becoming waste. They do this by acting like a broker or bulletin board, helping businesses or people that have unwanted materials connect with others who could use that same material. Here is a list of some exchanges:
Reuse Marketplace
A free service whose goal is to minimize waste by fostering the exchange of reusable commercial resources.
Click here for more information.
Freecycle
A national web-based exchange.
http://www.freecycle.org
Building Materials
Vermont Salvage Exchange
Used interior and exterior building materials bought and sold. Great stuff for your renovation project.
Gates Street (behind former Mascoma Bank next to railroad tracks)
White River Junction, VT
(802) 295-7616
COVER
A used building material and household goods redistribution center. Accepting tax-deductible donations of new and lightly used building materials from area contractors, businesses, and individuals and offering them at low-cost to the community.
158 S. Main Street
White River Junction, VT
(802) 296-7241
Deconstruction Works
Specializing in the salvage and reuse (green demolition) of houses, outbuildings, and commercial interiors in Vermont and New Hampshire.
ReSOURCE
“ReSOURCE’s mission is to meet community and individual needs through (1) education and job skills training, (2) environmental stewardship, and (3) economic opportunities.” ReSOURCE has stores in Barre, Burlington, Hyde Park, and Williston. Click here for their addresses and hours of operation.
Annual Reuse Sales
Plan ahead and make donations to these events.
Ford-Sayer Winter Sports Sale
In early November. Equipment and clothing. Sponsored by the Ford-Sayer Ski Council.
Hanover High School Gym
41 Lebanon Street
Hanover, NH
(603) 643-2226 or (802) 649-1678
Glad Rags Sale
4th Saturday in April and October. 9:00 to 3:00. Better used clothing.
Masonic Hall
Pleasant St (Route 4)(in front of the Health Center)
Woodstock, VT
(802) 457-2864
Youth-In-Action Toys and Togs
In Spring. Children’s toys and clothing (donations appreciated year-round).
St. Paul’s Church
Taft Flat
Wilder, VT
(603) 643-4313
Furniture and Housewares
Allard’s Discount Warehouse
New, used, and factory second and furniture.
12 Prospect St. (call for directions)
White River Junction, VT
(802) 295-5678
Clothing and Housewares
The Community Closet Thrift Store
Clothing and housewares available at very inexpensive prices. All income returns to the community via donations to:
- The Community Christmas Fund of Immanuel Episcopal Church
- Greater Falls United Network
- Parks Place
- Our Place, and
- Other local organizations.
The Community Closet is located in the basement of the Immanuel Episcopal Church at 20 Church Street in Bellows Falls. The Closet’s parking lot is accessed via the driveway directly across from the Bellows Falls United Church (the first driveway east of the Bellows Falls Middle School).
Thrift Store hours are 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m., Wednesdays and Saturdays 802-463-3100
SEVCA Good Buy Stores
Books, household goods, curtains, furniture, handbags, shoes, boots, belts, stuffed animals, bedding, and clothing for men, women, and children. “One person’s trash is another’s treasure.” Whatever we can’t sell in our stores, we try to recycle. Donated items need to be in plastic bags. Shoes should be in a separate bag and tied together if possible.
SEVCA is a 501(c)3 non-profit human services agency. Proceeds from recycling fund the agency’s programs, which include weatherization, family services, crisis fuel, Head Start, Outreach, and helping those in need in our Vermont communities.
Three locations:
Hartford-Wilder, Vermont
Mon – Fri: 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
802-359-4183
goodbuy@ sover.net
Located at:
676 Hartford Ave.
(near high school)
Bellows Falls, Vermont
Mon – Sat: 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
802-463-9084
I-91 Exit 5 or 6,
45 Rockingham St.
Springfield, Vermont
Mon – Sat: 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
802-885-7074
1-91 Exit 7
23-25 Main Street
Black River Good Neighbor Services
Ludlow Armory Community Complex, Main Street
Ludlow, VT
802-228-3663
Who is Sylvia?
1800s – 1950s vintage clothing and accessories for men, women, and children. Antique lace and linen bought and sold.
26 Central St
Woodstock, VT
802-457-1110
The Bridgewater Thrift Store
Over 6,000 square feet on the third floor of the Bridgewater Mill, which is west of Woodstock on Route 4 in Bridgewater, Vermont. They sell clothing, housewares, shoes, and books. The store is open seven days a week, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. In 2011, they recycled over 41 tons of clothing.
101 Mill Road
Bridgewater, Vermont
802-672-1990
Books
Five-Colleges Book Sale
Annual sale, late April at Lebanon High School Gym. Call about book donations.
Lebanon High School Gym
Lebanon, NH
(603) 643-2528
http://www.five-collegesbooksale.org
Pleasant Street Books
Antiquarian books, used and rare books.
48 Pleasant St (Route 4)
Woodstock, VT
(802) 457-4050
Women’s Business Clothes
Dress for Success provides professional attire and career development to disadvantaged women who are making the transition from public assistance to self-sufficiency.
We require that all donations be:
Women’s business attire appropriate for a job interview
(suits, skirts, pants, blouses, blazers, sweaters, dresses, coats, etc.)
Suitable for the appropriate season
In excellent condition (clean, no pills, stains, missing buttons, etc.)
Pressed and ON HANGERS
Items we accept:
In-season, office-appropriate women’s wear including:
- Suits
- Slacks
- Blouses
- Fine-knit sweaters
- Winter coats and boots
- Shoes
- Handbags
- Jewelry
- Accessories
Clothing more than 10 years old will generally not be accepted. For more information, please visit www.dressforsuccess.org.
Making a Cloth Gift Bag
Reduce your use of wrapping paper…make a cloth gift bag, or order some on-line. Just search for “cloth gift bag” for sources.