Earth Day is the perfect time to reflect on how you can make small changes to help protect our planet and put those ideas into action. If you've already set goals for yourself this year—like hitting the gym, starting a new hobby, or planning that dream vacation—why not add a few sustainable reuse habits to your list? Not only will they benefit the environment, but they'll help you save money too! Here are some easy ways to embrace reusing and reduce waste this Earth Day:
Try treasure hunting
Shopping secondhand has never been more in fashion! Explore your local thrift stores and discover unique, gently-used clothing and home goods. Not only is it a fun way to find one-of-a-kind treasures, but it also reduces the demand for new products and keeps perfectly good items out of landfills. Plus, you might score a great deal, like that cozy winter coat at half the price! Don’t forget to check out refurbished electronics too! They’re budget-friendly, eco-conscious, and often just as reliable as buying new.
Support these Reuse Minnesota members who offer refurbished technology, secondhand clothing, housewares, building materials, upcycled creations, and more!
Alta Technologies | https://altatechnologies.com/
Arc’s Valu Village | https://arcsvaluevillage.org/
ArtScraps | https://artstart.org/artscraps-reuse-store/
Better Futures ReUse Warehouse Store | https://betterfuturesminnesota.com/reuse-warehouse/
Cake Plus-Size Resale | https://www.cakeplussize.com/
Cool Trash | https://cooltrash.net/projects
CRAVEbyCRV | https://www.cravebycrv.com/
CRAFT Thrift Store | https://www.craftindustries.org/
Device Pitstop Maple Grove | https://www.devicepitstopmg.com/
Eco Chico Kid's Resale | https://ecochicoresale.com/
Elpis Enterprises | https://elpisenterprises.org/shop/
Family Pathways Thrift Stores | https://www.familypathways.org/thrift-stores/
Free Geek | https://www.freegeektwincities.org/
Furnish Office & Home | https://www.furnishofficeandhome.org/
Helen Miller Studio | http://www.helenmillerstudio.com/
Hidden Treasures Thrift Store | https://hiddentreasuresmn.org/
Keys 4/4 Kids | https://k44k.org/
Loose Parts Laboratory | https://www.mnreggio.org/Loose-Parts-Lab-Materials-Center
LumberStash | https://www.lumberstash.com/
M&M Resources Trinkets & Treasures | https://junktruckmn.com/
Minnesota Tech for Success | https://techforsuccess.org/
Nine Lives | https://www.ninelivesthrift.com/
Old School | https://oldschoolthrifty.org/
Park + Coop | https://parkandcoop.com/
Recovery Bike Shop | https://www.recovery.bike/
Repowered | https://getrepowered.org/
Rethink Tailoring | https://store.rethinktailoring.com/
Shop for Change | https://prismmpls.org/program-overview/shop-for-change-thrift-shop/
TechFixers | http://techfixers.us
The Swap Closet | Instagram.com/TheSwapCloset
Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity | https://restore.tchabitat.org/
University of Minnesota ReUse Program | www.facebook.com/UMNReuse
Say goodbye to single-use plastics
It’s easier than ever to avoid single-use plastics by switching to reusable options. Grab a reusable bag when you're out running errands, carry a reusable water bottle, and bring your own coffee mug instead of relying on disposable cups. These small habits will help reduce plastic waste and keep more resources in circulation.
Support these Reuse Minnesota members who offer refillables or other low-waste goods!
Eastside Food Co-op | https://www.eastsidefood.coop/
Evergreen Collective | http://www.ecoevergreen.co/
Good To Go Cups | https://www.goodtogocups.com/
Homebody Refill Market | https://homebodyrefillmarket.com/
Lakewinds Food Co-op | https://www.lakewinds.coop/
r.World | https://rworldreuse.com/
Why buy new when you can rent?
There are many benefits to renting or borrowing versus buying new. For those downsizing or with limited space, renting eliminates the hassle of maintenance and storage. It’s also an excellent way to try an item before fully committing, helping you make more informed decisions. When you choose to rent or borrow, you reduce the demand for new materials and cut down on transportation-related emissions. It’s a budget and eco-friendly win!
Rent anything from baby gear to a zip tie tool from Reuse Minnesota’s rental and lending library members!
Baby Gear Group | https://www.babygeargroup.com/
Kaleidoscope Learning | https://www.kscopelearning.org/materials-library
Minnesota Cloth Diaper Bank | https://www.mnclothdiaperbank.org/
Minnesota Tool Library | https://www.mntoollibrary.org/
Minnesota Toy Library | https://mplstoylibrary.org/
SouthwestMetro Lending Library | https://southwestmetrolendinglibrary.org/
Twin Cities Library of Things | https://twincitieslibraryofthings.myturn.com/library/
Cut back on food waste
Food waste is a huge contributor to landfills, but it's easy to make a difference. Not sure what to do with those leftovers? Try repurposing your food scraps, like overripe bananas for banana bread or veggie peelings for compost. You can also freeze, pickle, or can fruits and veggies to extend their shelf life. Get creative with leftovers and reduce your food waste while saving money on your next grocery run!
Embrace DIY repairs
Accidentally rip your favorite pants? Hair dryer stop working? Don’t toss them — try mending or repairing them! Check out our events calendar to find the nearest Fix-It or Mend-It Clinic in your area. Repairing and mending your belongings is a fantastic way to reduce waste and extend the life of your favorite items.
Do you have DIY skills to share? Consider volunteering as a fixer or mender at one of our Greater Minnesota Fix-It Clinics! Thanks to grant funding from the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, Reuse Minnesota is bringing Fix-It Clinics to Chisago, Dodge, Douglas, Olmsted, Pope, and Stearns Counties.
Let these Reuse Minnesota members help you fix and repair your items!
Alta Technologies | https://altatechnologies.com/
CRAVEbyCRV | https://www.cravebycrv.com/
Device Pitstop Maple Grove | https://www.devicepitstopmg.com/
Free Geek | https://www.freegeektwincities.org/
Hennepin Restomods | http://www.hennepinrestomods.com/
Heritage Architecture Studio, LLC | http://www.heritage-archplan.com/
MEND MPLS | https://mendmpls.com/
Mind Body Sole | https://mindbodysolemn.com/
Minnesota Cloth Diaper Bank | https://www.mnclothdiaperbank.org/
Minnesota Tool Library | https://www.mntoollibrary.org/
Minnesota Tech for Success | https://techforsuccess.org/
Recovery Bike Shop | https://www.recovery.bike/
Repowered | https://getrepowered.org/
Rethink Tailoring | https://store.rethinktailoring.com/
TechFixers | http://techfixers.us
Reuse Minnesota mending resources | https://reusemn.org/Reuse-Minnesota-resources
Repair resources and directories | https://reusemn.org/repair
Make a commitment to reuse more in your daily life. Whether it’s finding vintage treasures, saying no to single-use plastics, reducing food waste, or repairing and mending your belongings, every small action counts in making a big impact for the planet!
Written by Ava Thompson | Ava is passionate about the planet and enjoys telling stories. Connect with her on LinkedIn.
