“By being a part of this network I’ve come to realize the true power of collaboration. It’s amazing what can be envisioned when we work together to benefit the whole rather than just struggling separately. Many reuse organizations don’t have enormous resources, but by coming together we can achieve great things.”

Luis Jimenez, Executive Director
NYC Clothing Bank

MEMBER SERVICES

Education Opportunities

Members will have access to our innovative and informative Master Reuser Program. We offer two types of webinar-based training programs:

  • Reuse Sector Training Module (recruiting now)
  • Community Advocate Training Module (coming soon)

In-Kind Donation Referrals

Members receive donation/material referrals through our staff and through online reuse portal, iChooseToReuse.org (coming soon).

Upcoming Conferences & Meetings

  • National Reuse Conference & Expo: These annual events will look at the challenges and successes shared by reuse sector organizations. The first-ever national reuse conference & expo is slated for October 18-20,  2010.
  • Chapter Member Meetings: These meetings (in-person meetings or conference calls, as appropriate) allow members in each chapter to come together and discuss the challenges they face and the opportunities to have to meet these needs together.
  • Board & Committee Meetings: These meetings (via conference call) allow leaders within the reuse sector to come together a discuss strategies that will help strengthen the sector.

Past Conferences & Meetings

  • National Reuse Track & Summit: Reuse Alliance sponsored a day-long Reuse Track & National Reuse Summit on October 20, 2009 as part of GRRN’s National Zero Waste Conference.  Please click here to view all of the reuse panel presentations during the reuse track, click here for the summit proceedings, or contact us for more information.

Service Discounts & Referrals

While our referrals are not an endorsement of any of the following companies, we have refer you to products & services we know and/have used. Please note that “discounts” are only for dues-paying members, but “referrals” are open to ALL.

  • Reuse Center Inventory Management Software: A comprehensive set of tools that merges accounting & inventory management systems. The system can be hosted onsite or accessed online.  Developed in conjunction with one of our members – a Boston-based building materials reuse store. (Members-only discount / coming soon!)
  • Virtual Materials Exchange Software: A web-based surplus materials exchange package which includes software, web-hosting, security, support and training. In return for an affordable annual fee, they provide a total system designed to make creating and operating a materials exchange as simple, inexpensive and effective as possible.  Theirs is the only virtual exchange system that tracks and reports on the weight and nature of waste diverted as well as the dollar savings and the GHG emissions avoided through diversion. (Members-only discount / coming soon!)
  • Webinar Software: Webinars are a greener alternative to hosting in-person training events and meetings.  If you need an easy online web conferencing solution without an installation; try this easy, open and affordable solution. Check out DimDim here! (free trial). (Members  referral)
  • Event Registration & Ticketing Services: We use an online service to manage our event registrations. This service incorporates ticketing, maps, calender items, ad even name badge creation. If the event is free,  so is the service. If you charge for tickets, then there is a small service fee (discounted for nonprofits). Check out EventBrite here!
  • Green Office Products: Reuse is best, but when the donated office supplies are low, check out this environmentally preferable supply firm: Link coming soon! (Members  referral)
  • Green Printing: When you have to print out your business cards or brochures use a printer that has a green approach: Link coming soon! (Members  referral)

Online Resources

The Reuse Alliance is your one-stop resource for capacity-building support. There are a host of dowloadable resources available through our members-only page. A sample of resources currently available include a discussion forum, operational how-to’s & toolkits, a list of relevant reading material, and references to important trade magazine articles . These resources will include electronic presentations and reports, as well as the results of RA’s ongoing materials exchange sector research and analysis.

Research & Development

To follow dynamic changes in the reuse sector, we plan to carry out a variety of research projects in the future. These will include the development of a comprehensive reuse database, and a variety of project-related research (e.g. “Triple Bottom Line Benefits of Reuse”, and the “Reuse Sector Data Standardization Project”).