- Minnesota
Welcome to the homepage of Reuse Alliance Minnesota
Our chapter is comprised of reuse sector professionals and interested individuals who lend their time, effort, and expertise to Reuse Alliance. To find out how you can get involved in Minnesota’s chapter, please contact your State Chapter Coordinator: Arielle Courtney (arielle at reusealliance dot org).
Click here to view a list of our members and participants.
OUR WORK: Our chapter was launched at the MN Reuse Summit on May, 2, 2011, and we immediately began working on an online survey to determine the “state of reuse” in Minnesota. To review the survey’s findings please click here: RAMN Reuse Sector Survey Findings. We have also begun working on the “Measure Your Treasure” project, in partnership with the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency and the Institute for Local Self-Reliance. This work will synthesize what “impact data” that reuse organizations are currently measuring, or have the potential to measure (e.g. tons diverted from landfill, number of families assisted). From this basic data, we will be able to highlight all of the environmental, social, and economic benefits of reuse. For example, “if you Incinerate 10k tons of materials you create 1 job, if you Landfill it you create 6 jobs, if you Recycle it you create 36 jobs, and if you Reuse it you create 28-296 jobs” (Source: http://ILSR.org).
Reuse Alliance MN also offers members marketing and outreach opportunities. Since May 2011, we have spoken at the National Furniture Bank Association Conference, conducted a workshop (Choose to Reuse: For People, Planet, and Profit) at the Northland Bioneers Conference, exhibited at the Recycling Association of Minnesota Conference, and will be hosting Twin Cities Green Drinks February 2012 through May 2012.
We are the first chapter to host “The Great Reuse Race,” a two-week long scavenger hunt through the Twin Cities reuse community (April 9-22, 2012) to demonstrate the many environmental, economic, and social benefits of reuse. Racers will learn about local opportunities for purchasing quality, used items and where to donate goods. Participants will physically and virtually visit these organizations to become eligible for prize winnings. Click here to view our sponsors.
CONNECT: Participate in the Chapter by joining our discussion forum . We are also on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn.
GET INVOLVED! Please let your Chapter Coordinator know which tasks or committees listed below interest you most, as well as your available level of commitment/skills.
Suggested Committees & Subcommittees
Chapter Steering Committee – Chair, Open
- Help plan chapter initiatives
- Assist with fundraising/sponsorship
- Report on who can offer ideas about grant opportunities
- Attend chapter meetings, steering committee meetings, and events
- Identify opportunities for including reuse in environmental education programs
- Help review chapter documents and projects
- Oversee any future sub-committees
- Assist with program and partnership development
Data Standard Project Sub-Committee – Chair, Open
- Participate in the “Measure Your Treasure” project with the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency
- Attend working group sessions
- Provide crucial feedback on your organization’s data collection methodology
- Help us work toward a consistent reuse sector data standard
Outreach Sub-Committee – Chair, Open
- Work with others in the chapter to plan events
- Market Reuse Alliance MN events and projects
- Network with your colleagues and friends to ensure event success
County Reuse Resources
Anoka County Shop Used First
Hennepin County Choose to Reuse
Ramsey County Reduce, Reuse, Recycle
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