Reuse

What is it?

Reuse means to re-use items by repairing them, donating them to charity/community groups, or selling them, so they don’t go to the landfill or dump. Reusing, when possible, is preferable to recycling because the item does not need to be reprocessed before it can be used again.

How do I do it?

There are many ways to reuse products. Here are just a few examples:

	Reuse plastic and paper grocery bags as many times as possible. Plastic bags can be crocheted into shoulder bags, hair clips etc. For detailed instructions on how to crochet bags from plastic grocery bag, click here or on the bag to the left.
	Several communities in Alaska roll newspapers or cardboard into “logs” to use in fireplaces.
	Donate used clothing to a charity or organization, friends etc.
	Old tires can be used as planters for plants and flowers.
	Books and magazines can be donated to schools or libraries or you could start a community book swap!

Here are some ways specific communities in Alaska are reusing waste (from our solid waste database):

“Old reading glasses and cases are brought to the thrift store.”
-Fort Yukon

“Plastic bags are collected and made into handbags. Some used oil is used for dog pot fires. Plastic buckets are collected for a variety of uses.”
-Kokhanok

“We take fish wastes to other side of river to feed bears.”
-Rampart

“Plastic bags are sent out for people to make things by crocheting.”
-Shishmaref

“Tribal Council and City reuse paper. We use both sides before calling it trash. We bring coffee cups to work and not buy from the store.”
-Russian Mission

“Plastic grocery bags are recycled at the grocery store. They are sent back to the distributor or reused by patrons of the stores.”
-Sitka

Do you have any more ideas on how to reuse wastes in our communities? If so, we’d love to hear about them!
Email or call us at: 1 (800) 344-1432 ext 7184 rpaddock@ccthita.org

Starting a local thrift store
Starting up a second hand goods or thrift store in your community is a great way to reuse products and make money too! Check out these examples of successful thrift stores:

Gustavus
Gustavus, a southeast Alaska community, runs a successful community thrift store/salvage area called the “Community Chest” which accepts reusable clothing, furniture, toys, books, electronics, boat parts, etc. Their facility makes over $10,000 a year almost all of which is donated back to community groups and projects.

If you would like more information about Gustavus’s thrift store, contact Paul Berry, Gustavus Dumpmaster at 697-2367 or email at: dumpmaster@gca.gustavus.ak.us

See pictures of their thrift store below:

Inside the thrift store

The outside section of the thrift store for used bikes, sporting goods, used doors, windows etc.

Ft. Yukon
Through an EPA grant, Fort Yukon leases out a garage in the community to store recyclables and to operate a small scale used clothing/goods store. Used oil from businesses in the community fuels a used oil burner in the garage which provides heat for customers and staff working in the garage. If you would like more information about Ft. Yukon’s thrift store, contact Vicki Thomas at the Fort Yukon Tribal Council at 662 2581.

Ft. Yukon’s thrift store. See their used oil burner in the back ….

Chevak
The community of Chevak also operates a thrift store for used clothing (see photo below).

King Cove
The community of King Cove also operates a thrift store which includes a local artists store, and recreation center. Click here for photos!

Related Links

Recycle
Reduce
Compost