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 is more popular than ever, and for good reason! Visiting your local thrift stores is a great way to uncover unique, gently used clothing and home goods while giving items a second life. It’s not just a fun treasure hunt; it also helps reduce demand for new products and keeps usable items out of landfills. You can find some great deals as well. You might find a high-quality winter coat or household staple for a fraction of the original price. Don’t overlook refurbished electronics, either; they’re often just as reliable as new, but far more budget-friendly and environmentally responsible.
Support these Reuse Minnesota members who offer refurbished technology, secondhand clothing, housewares, building materials, upcycled creations, and more!
Alta Technologies
Arc’s Value Village
ArtScraps
Better Futures ReUse Warehouse Store
Birch Group
Cake Plus-Size Resale
Community Action Center Clothes Closet
Cool Trash
CRAFT Thrift Store
Device Pitstop Maple Grove
echoecho
Eco Chico Kid's Resale
Energy ReLeaf
Elpis Enterprises
Family Pathways Thrift Stores
Free Geek
Furnish Office & Home
Hidden Treasures Thrift Store
Keys 4/4 Kids
Loose Parts Laboratory
Lots for Tots & Tweens
M&M Resources Trinkets & Treasures
Minnesota Tech for Success
Minnesota Tool Library
Nine Lives
Old School
Park + Coop
Recovery Bike Shop
Remember This Tech
Repowered
Rethink Tailoring
Shop for Change
TechFixers
The Bearded Hauler
The Stashery
Turquoise Vintage
Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity
University of Minnesota ReUse Program
Say goodbye to single-use plastics
Cutting back on single-use plastics is easier than ever with a few simple swaps. Bring a reusable bag when you’re out running errands, carry a refillable water bottle, and opt for your own coffee mug instead of disposable cups. These small, everyday choices add up by helping reduce waste, conserve resources, and keep materials in use longer.
Support these Reuse Minnesota members who offer refillables or other low-waste goods!
Eastside Food Co-op
Evergreen Collective
Good To Go Cups
Homebody Refill Market
Lakewinds Food Co-op
r.World
Why buy new when you can rent?
Renting or borrowing instead of buying new comes with plenty of advantages. If you’re short on space or looking to simplify, it eliminates the need for storage and ongoing maintenance. It’s also a smart way to try something out before committing, so you can make more informed purchasing decisions. By choosing to rent or borrow, you help reduce demand for new products and cut down on transportation-related emissions. Now that’s a win for both your wallet and the environment!
Rent anything from baby gear to a zip tie tool from Reuse Minnesota’s rental and lending library members!
Baby Gear Group
Kaleidoscope Learning
Minnesota Cloth Diaper Bank
Minnesota Tool Library
Minnesota Toy Library
Twin Cities Library of Things
Cut back on food waste
Food waste is a major contributor to landfills, but small changes can make a big impact. Not sure what to do with leftovers? Get creative! Use overripe bananas for banana bread or turn veggie scraps into a flavorful stock. You can also freeze, pickle, or can fruits and vegetables to extend their shelf life. Making the most of what you already have helps cut down on waste and can save you money on your next grocery run.
Embrace DIY repairs
Rip your favorite pants or have a hair dryer stop working? Don’t toss them, try fixing them! Check out our events calendar to find a nearby Fix-It or Mend-It Clinic where you can learn repair skills or get a hand from someone experienced. Mending and repairing your belongings is a simple, effective way to reduce waste and keep the items you love in use longer.
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 has helped launch Fix-It Clinics in Chisago, Dodge, Douglas, Olmsted, Pope, and Stearns Counties.
Let these Reuse Minnesota members help you fix and repair your items!
Alta Technologies
Architectural Antiques
Curiosity Studio
Device Pitstop Maple Grove
Free Geek
MEND MPLS
Minnesota Cloth Diaper Bank
Minnesota Tool Library
Minnesota Tech for Success
Nice Repair
Recovery Bike Shop
Remember This Tech
Repowered
Rethink Tailoring
TechFixers
Tiny Footprint Coffee
Reuse Minnesota mending resources
Repair resources and directories
Make a commitment to reuse more in your everyday life. Whether it’s discovering secondhand treasures, skipping single-use plastics, reducing food waste, or repairing and mending what you already own, each small choice adds up. Together, these actions create a meaningful impact for the planet.
Written by Ava Thompson | Ava is passionate about the planet and enjoys telling stories. Connect with her on LinkedIn.
