As many folks know, the cleanest energy of all is the BTU we never use. With this in mind, recycling products is a great energy saver. CERTs has participated for several years with the Recycle Your Holidays campaign to help homeowners recycle old, broken holiday light strands, and we also have a fantastic location finder available for recycling other lights, like CFLs and fluorescents.
Now there is a new player in Minnesota, ReUSE Minnesota, and they are looking beyond recycling to how products can be reused, rented, or repaired. We caught up with Stacey White, Sustainability Coordinator, University Services, University of Minnesota, to ask her about ReUSE Minnesota.
Joel Haskard: Tell us a little bit about yourself and what you do.
Stacey White: I’ve recently transitioned to University Services Sustainability from the U of M ReUse Program where the focus was to find ways to reuse within the University and our community. Now, as the Sustainability Coordinator, I serve as a liaison between operations, academics, and students to connect individuals around sustainable education, events, and programs.
Joel Haskard: What is ReUSE Minnesota?
Stacey: ReUSE MN is a non-profit trade association focused on bringing visibility to the reuse, rental, and repair sector through networking, publicity, and events.
Joel: Is it a statewide program?
Stacey: ReUSE MN is open to individuals, businesses, institutions, and students. Student memberships are free.
Joel: Can you give me some examples of how people can use the website?
Stacey: As a trade association our website is just a means to communicate our mission. However, we are working closely with the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency on collecting data and creating a website of standardized weights to help reuse businesses measure their successes. Additionally, ReUSE MN is working on a mobile app to allow users to search for the nearest reuse, rental, or repair business or service.
Joel: How do you see the reuse sector interacting or making a difference in the energy sector?
Stacey: Reuse, rental, and repair are the first steps in extending the life cycle of a product which reduces energy through reduction of resource extraction, processing, manufacturing, and distribution. Reuse has a great potential to conserve our materials and energy.
Joel: What are your hopes for ReUSE Minnesota?
Stacey: Our vision is a strong reuse Minnesota economy that leads the nation in documented environmental events through the intentional actions of committed individuals and institutions.
Joel: Any last thoughts you would like to share?
Stacey: ReUSE MN is in its infancy stages and needs the support of businesses, individuals, and institutions to reach our goals. We’re looking for reuse, rental, and repair advocates to help Minnesota realize our shared goals. Thanks!
