We love celebrating and highlighting our members, and we got the chance to do just that at our annual meeting yesterday! The day kicked off with behind-the-scenes tours at Eco Chico and CRAFT Thrift Store, both located in St. Paul.
Eco Chico specializes in high-quality consigned maternity and kids’ items. Owner Krystell Thiessen-Escobar started the store to address the waste associated with raising children while supporting parents who want to live an eco-conscious lifestyle. The kid-friendly shop even features a play area for little ones, so parents can shop worry-free. The vibrant artwork throughout the store, created by Electric Machete Studios, draws inspiration from Krystell’s childhood in Southern Mexico, reflecting the natural beauty she hopes to preserve. Shoppers will find clothing, gear, shoes, and more—all priced 60–70% below retail.
At CRAFT Thrift Store, we learned how Angela Kapp combined her love of crafting with supporting teachers. Celebrating its 1-year anniversary, the store sells clothing, housewares, tools, books, and home decor, in addition to offering a well-stocked craft room in the back. Contact them to rent the craft room for birthday parties or other creative gatherings. With a CRAFT membership, you can take part in workshops, and access materials and tools. Part of the store’s proceeds go toward helping teachers with certifications, scholarships, or classroom materials. It was inspiring to see how both Eco Chico and CRAFT Thrift are meeting the needs of their communities.
After the tours, members networked over lunch before reconvening at the Ramsey County Environmental Center in Roseville. We shared program updates, heard from board candidates, and enjoyed coffee from Tiny Footprint Coffee, a carbon-negative roastery.
The Environmental Center tour showcased sustainable building features like geothermal energy, solar panels, and reused pavers. The facility provides a convenient drop-off for household hazardous waste, electronics, recyclables, and food scraps for residents in seven counties. It also hosts community events and programs like Fix-It Clinics, where volunteers help repair broken items, encouraging residents to reduce waste and embrace sustainability.
It was a full day of celebration, learning, and connection! Click here to learn more about becoming a Reuse Minnesota member.
REUSE25: Nurturing Community and Collaboration
Impressions from a first-time attendee
Over 190 people from across the Twin Cities (and beyond) gathered for a two-day, in-person event to foster partnerships within the reuse community.
This is Reuse Minnesota’s 6th year of organizing a conference to bring reuse advocates and practitioners together in one place.
The event space at Hennepin Technical College in Brooklyn Park came alive with conference attendees representing municipalities, state organizations, and nonprofit organizations. While many people work in the sustainability space, others, like myself, attended as a community member to connect with others and learn about new initiatives.
Day 1: Building community through shared values
Morning sessions featured experts from the University of Minnesota Natural Resources Research Institute, Hennepin Healthcare, Augsburg College, and Hennepin County Medical Center (HCMC) sharing how leadership and partnerships shape the reuse economy.
Between sessions, stories, introductions, and new ideas spilled into the exhibitor space. The energy continued during lunch, where Hennepin Technical College Culinary Arts students curated, prepared, and served a delicious spread of healthy dishes.
As a designated Hunger-Free Campus, Hennepin Technical College seemed like the perfect backdrop. I appreciated that attendees were invited to bring storage containers to take food home, and any leftover food was saved for students. Practicing reuse together as a group was a powerful experience.
In the afternoon, an impressive lineup of hands-on activities ranged from small-engine troubleshooting and zipper repair to repurposing old t-shirts and Tai Chi. The book swap table had a steady flow of browsers and swappers all day.
Day 2: Behind-the-scene tours of local organizations
The next day, over 80 participants enjoyed a behind-the-scenes look at Bridging, Better Futures, Ridwell, Southwest Metro Lending Library, and Hennepin Restomods, where they discovered reuse on a larger scale.
Lessons from the keynote speaker
Alex Eaves, founder of Escape the Waste and Stay Vocal, travels the country promoting solutions to tackle our waste problem. He often hears people say, “I’m just one person,” but one person is where it starts.
In 2007, Eaves vowed to stop using disposable coffee cups after admitting that his two-cup-a-day coffee consumption contributed to the waste problem. After 6,500 days, he calculated that if he stacked all the single-use coffee cups he would have used, it would be taller than the Burj Khalifa – the world's tallest building.
His message, “If I’m one person that can eliminate that amount of waste, what if 10 more people did the same?”
Building and celebrating community
The vibe at REUSE25 was inspiring. A mix of local residents and employees from organizations united to promote action.
I met a retired Environmental Protection Agency employee, considering how to share her story about working in government. Another attendee shared, “I am feeling inspired to start a business related to reuse and other sustainable solutions!”
Lindsey Countryman, Marketing Specialist at Wedge Community Co-ops, valued participating in a panel discussion exploring how local co-ops embed reuse practices into their operations. “It’s not a topic we often get to go into in depth,” said Countryman, “so I really appreciate the chance to share – especially with such an invested and engaged audience!”
“Just from being in that space among so many smart, dedicated, inspiring people for a day,” Countryman felt a renewed sense of energy to keep reusing, get more involved in community groups, and keep spreading the word.
As a first-time attendee, I couldn’t agree more. The day buzzed with inspiration, connection and community.
Thank you to everyone who made REUSE25 possible. Emily Barker and Carolyn Wieland orchestrated an outstanding event, fostering collaboration, so together, we can promote and grow the reuse economy.
See you next year at Reuse 2026!
Jody Carey is a Reuse Minnesota member, a freelance sustainability writer, and communication strategist.
If you’re looking for high-quality, durable clothing from natural fabrics at lower prices than new retail, there are several areas in the Twin Cities where you can shop concentrations of secondhand stores. That’s what owner of Eco Chico Kid’s Resale, Krystell Theisen-Escobar, told audiences at the Minnesota State Fair. From the Eco Stage at the Eco Experience in one of the fair’s original and still-standing buildings, she spoke about ways to avoid fast fashion.
“Fast and SUPER fast fashion are dependent on cheap polyester, nylon and acrylic, which are highly toxic to the environment from the beginning to (never) end of their lifecycle,” Theisen-Escobar said. The fashion industry accounts for 10% of global carbon emissions and is the second largest contributor to water pollution via the breakdown of microplastics in laundry.
Originally from Villahermosa, Tabasco, Mexico, she had relatives who worked with castoff and second-hand clothing. But it was her experience in the insurance industry that “led me to a hard truth I wanted to change. Excessive pollution is causing increased storm intensity, rising sea levels, and extreme heat. The less we change our habits now, the more costly it will be to deal with the disasters of a much riskier future,” Theisen-Escobar said.
How to avoid that consumption and “make second-hand first”? She suggested using what you already have, decluttering and organizing, refreshing and refurbishing. Mend and upcycle your own garments, or swap within the community. Need a fundraiser? Try an apparel exchange. People can support thrift by shopping resale and donating with intention – good items, not those for which there’s no reuse market.
And of course, when buying new, buy first-rate quality, but buy less, with more intention. The lowest environmental footprint/biodegradable fabrics are organic cotton, hemp, linen, Tencel/bamboo, wool, and down.
Krystell will lead a tour of Eco Chico during Reuse Minnesota’s annual meeting on November 17 from 10–11 AM.
Here are several organizations where you can find quality second-hand clothing items:
Editor’s note: To the perennial question of what to do with worn out textiles beyond repair, some can be made into wiping rags or insulation, periodically collected by outlets like Ridwell and Retold. Often the most environmentally sound method is disposal in the local garbage to avoid the possibility of being shipped elsewhere to an eventual unmanaged garbage or burn pile. Theisen-Escobar told Reuse Minnesota that Goodwill stores accept bags of textiles marked as "BALE" for proper handling, “meaning, it won't be shipped out to add further to the carbon footprint.”
Written by Margo Ashmore, Reuse Minnesota board member | Connect and learn more about her on her website.
Thank you to everyone who joined us for our quarterly member meeting last week!
We started the day with a tour of PCs for People in St. Paul, where we learned about their work responsibly recycling electronics and redistributing donated devices to low-income families and students. After that, we visited Grahn's Upholstery to meet their talented team and hear about their process for transforming and restoring furniture.
The meeting portion of the day was held at PAIKKA, a sustainable event venue in St. Paul. We had folks join us virtually and in person. During the meeting, we shared several updates and announcements:
We were excited to spotlight two member organizations who are doing great work to foster reuse and sharing in their communities:
Space by Space Organizing offers professional organizing services designed to bring clarity, functionality, and calm into every kind of space—from cluttered kitchens to entire homes, retail spaces, and even digital environments. Their team specializes in helping clients create order and flow in their surroundings, so that every space serves a purpose and supports a more peaceful way of living.
Twin Cities Library of Things, is a 100% volunteer-run, member-supported community resource that allows people to borrow instead of buy. From tools and kitchen appliances to party supplies and camping gear, the library offers a growing collection of useful and fun items aimed at reducing waste, saving money, and cutting down on household clutter.
Members who missed the meeting or want to revisit any of the content can log into their Reuse Minnesota member account, go to the Members menu, and click on Member Meetings to access the Zoom recording, presentations, and more.
Our next gathering will be our annual meeting in November. Stay tuned for more details!
We’re thrilled to introduce Sustainable Stillwater, a valued member since 2023! Sustainable Stillwater supports local projects, programs, and events to make the City of Stillwater green, sustainable, and resilient. Get to know more about the organization from the board secretary, Nancy Lyner.
Describe what your organization does? When was it founded and why?
Sustainable Stillwater MN (SSMN) is dedicated to preserving the environment and promoting a healthy, resilient community in the Stillwater, Minnesota area. The organization creates and supports local initiatives focused on sustainability, specifically in the areas of energy, transportation, economy, and environment. Our goal is to reduce the community's carbon footprint and enhance livability for future generations. SSMN was officially introduced in June 2016 and became a 501(c)(3) nonprofit charitable organization on March 4, 2019. The organization kicked off with a community-wide visioning session led by high school students in May 2013.
What about your organization inspires you?
Sustainable Stillwater MN inspires me because of its commitment to creating a more sustainable and resilient community. SSMN is a grassroots nonprofit that focuses on local initiatives that align with my values and interests in environmental stewardship and sustainability. SSMN’s effort to reduce the community's carbon footprint and foster a healthier, cleaner living environment for future generations resonates with my passion for making a positive impact on the planet.
How does your organization inspire others? How can others participate in your mission?
Sustainable Stillwater MN inspires others through several key strategies. First, by emphasizing the local impact of our initiatives, we show community members the tangible benefits of our work, such as improved green spaces and safer streets. We also engage and inform the community through educational opportunities. By offering resources on sustainability practices, we empower individuals with the knowledge and tools to contribute meaningfully to a greener future. Providing diverse and accessible volunteer opportunities is another way we inspire participation.
Additionally, we build partnerships with local businesses, schools, and organizations to create a broader network of support. Lastly, we also use engaging content through social media, newsletters, and community events to raise awareness and keep people informed.
How does Reuse Minnesota align with your organization's mission?
Reuse Minnesota aligns with Sustainable Stillwater MN through our shared commitment to sustainability and environmental stewardship. We both focus on reducing waste and conserving resources—Reuse Minnesota through promoting material reuse and Sustainable Stillwater MN through broader sustainability efforts. Our mutual emphasis on community engagement and education empowers individuals to make environmentally responsible choices. By collaborating, we can amplify our impact and drive meaningful progress toward a greener future.
You can reach the Sustainable Stillwater MN team at info@sustainablestillwatermn.org or follow them @SustainableStillwaterMn
Written by Ava Thompson | Ava is passionate about the planet and enjoys telling stories. Connect with her on LinkedIn.
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/projectsCRAVEbyCRV | 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-CenterLumberStash | 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.usThe Swap Closet | Instagram.com/TheSwapClosetTwin 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-libraryMinnesota 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.usReuse Minnesota mending resources | https://reusemn.org/Reuse-Minnesota-resourcesRepair 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!
We’re thrilled to introduce the Minnesota Toy Library, a valued member since 2022! With a strong focus on reducing waste, promoting development, and building community, the Minnesota Toy Library is passionate about fostering sustainable play for young children. Get to know more about the organization from the founder and Executive Director, Rebecca Nutter.
Describe the mission and activities of your organization. The Minnesota Toy Library is a toy lending library. We lend toys that are appropriate for children aged 0 - 5 years old where caregivers can check out up to 5 toys at a time and return when they are done! In 2014, I joined 3 other local Minnesota moms who had the idea to start a toy library and we began lending in Spring 2015. We started with 50 toys and rented rooms from public libraries to host our events. Now we have over 9,000 toys and 3 permanent locations.
South Minneapolis location – 8 W 60th St (door #11), Minneapolis, MN 55419Northeast Minneapolis location – 2510 Cleveland St NE, Minneapolis, MN 55418 St. Paul location - Inside Progressive Baptist Church, 1505 Burns Ave, St. Paul, MN 55106
Visit our calendar online and subscribe to stay updated on our hours. Members have access to all of the branches.
Joining Reuse Minnesota was an important step for our toy library. While many toy libraries emphasize the cost savings and play opportunities that come with lending toys (which are indeed important!), we are especially focused on the environmental impact. Lending toys reduces waste and lessens the strain on our environment. We have the opportunity to teach children about reuse at a very young age. By becoming a member of Reuse Minnesota, we can amplify this message to the public and learn from others in the reuse community.
You’ve recently had some exciting news! How is Minnesota Toy Library promoting environmental justice in the Twin Cities?
The Minnesota Toy Library was recently awarded a grant from the Minnesota Pollution and Control Agency. This grant focused on projects that were committed to the principle of environmental justice - which means that all people would benefit from equal levels of environmental protection. Our grant title, "Sustainable Play for All: Expanding Community Toy Lending to St. Paul," would provide toy lending in the east metro of the Twin Cities, helping those caring for young children reduce waste around playtime.
We opened our doors at the St. Paul location at the end of August 2024 and currently have 12 members. We are hoping to reach more diverse communities by reaching out to Hmong and Karen populations and to make it more accessible, we offer translation services through Language Line. We are continuing to talk with local public libraries, early childhood family education, and those working with young children to share the news. We hope to bring in 100 members in our first year.
How can people sign up for a membership?
Membership is a yearly cost and is on a sliding scale from $40 - $100. Members pay what is comfortable for them. We accept cash, card, check or Venmo at any location. Check out up to 5 toys at a time and return them in 2 - 4 weeks. Members are responsible for the care and cleaning of the toys. There are also scholarships available to cover the cost of membership.
How can community members support you?
We are in need of volunteers to help at our St. Paul location. Volunteer duties include reshelving toys and helping families check in and out toys with our computer software. Sign up here! It's also a great opportunity for high school students if they need volunteer hours!
You can reach the Minnesota Toy Library team at mplstoylibrary@gmail.com. Written by Ava Thompson
We hosted our annual member meeting on November 20. The entire day was filled with connecting, sharing of ideas, and learning from each other. There was such great energy in the room, and a testament to why we do the work we do. Reuse Minnesota is so fortunate to have great members. As we work to build community in the reuse space, each one of you is also working to lift up your own communities. It's truly inspiring.
The day started off with a tour of Evergreen Collective, a refillery and zero-waste store located in Saint Paul. Owner Taylor Hall spoke about the realities of running a small business, sharing about her customer rewards program and product sourcing. Members got to shop the store and see the basement where Evergreen Collective hosts swap events. Check out Evergreen Collective for some great holiday gift ideas!
Members and guests convened at The Market at Malcolm Yards for networking and lunch before the meeting began. We shared updates on our programming, events, financials, and membership survey.
We thanked our outgoing board members—Sonya Betker, Danielle Claseman, Mayur Dankhara, Miriam Holsinger, and Jenny Kedward—for their time and valuable contributions to Reuse Minnesota.
New board of director candidates were given time for a quick meet and greet (make sure your organization casts their vote by December 1!).
We showcased three of our member organizations, Cake Plus-Size Resale, Minnesota Cloth Diaper Bank, and The Swap Closet. Each organization had the opportunity to share more about their mission and what they do. This member benefit is a great way for some of our non-brick and mortar members to share their work.
For those who missed any part of the meeting, you can find the presentations, Zoom recording, meeting notes, and photos in the members section of our website. Please log in to your account to access these materials.
We're excited to introduce you to Native Sustainability, a dedicated member since 2021. With a strong commitment to environmental stewardship and community engagement, Native Sustainability has been making a significant impact in our network. Join us as we dive into their inspiring journey and explore the values that drive their mission!
Native Sustainability (NS) was founded in June of 2014. Our founder, Megan, started her career in the environmental field in 2003 with the nonprofit organization Environmental Initiative, and spent a year with a start-up sustainability company. After a layoff in 2008, Megan freelanced for a handful of years and as clients began to be consistent, she decided it was important to form the business.
Native Sustainability is a creative consultancy - we meet clients wherever they're at in their journey and help identify opportunities for projects and programs. We have a breadth of knowledge in all aspects of sustainability, but have expertise in creative waste management solutions. From development and implementation of robust waste diversion programs, to identifying new technologies to extract valuable compounds from existing waste streams - we leverage our knowledge and network connections to help our clients achieve measurable results.
We are so inspired by our clients desires and efforts to make meaningful changes that result in real environmental progress. An example is our work with the Metropolitan Airports Commission (MAC) - where we serve on the Waste Working Group, which is in charge of achieving a 75% diversion rate from landfills. The MAC's commitment to bold, incredibly impactful sustainability goals is very inspiring. They show this commitment through real investments - with both financial and human capital. This support, from the Commissioner level, allows the efforts to be creative and innovative and truly move the needle on progress. It's yet another reason that MSP gets ranked as one of the best airports, year after year!
We hope to inspire others to work collaboratively! Our success comes from our relationships - having a wide breadth of connections, based on kindness and the desire for collective improvement. People can participate in our mission by finding ways to be involved - in their neighborhood, in their place of worship, or at work. Be the example for others to care for this planet. Start the ball rolling with small efforts - it's incredible how things can gain speed!
Reuse is an essential part of the waste hierarchy. Not only does it have an incredible environmental benefit, it almost always has a social benefit as well. We've been Reuse Minnesota members for years, as well as a partner to advance a statewide project in 2022. Reuse Minnesota has been an incredible collaborator and resource for us, as well as our clients. Connections made through Reuse Minnesota have resulted in new collaborations for our clients, resulting in tons of materials being diverted from the landfill. We are excited to see the organization grow and expand!
One person’s plastic “lace” tablecloth paired with someone else’s sheet canvas will make an interesting dye/stenciled picnic blanket. Another person’s lifetime collection of sturdy but disposable pie tins went home with someone who bakes for charity. The event Sunday August 11 at Eastside Food Co-op was billed as an Arts & Crafts Swap, and swappers artistically interpreted what might be of use.
Sketchbooks, papers, journals, markers and brushes got snapped up almost as quickly as they were put down. Mat boards departed in small quantities. Bling, buttons, all sorts of decorative elements were popular.
“I didn’t know you’d accept this kind of stuff,” said one visitor who found something useful in the “other” category. “I didn’t either,” quipped the person who brought it. Both were happy with the exchange.
Conversations ranged from friends who arrived separately catching up, to strangers who bonded over suggestions for sewing, to laments about throwaway society and what to do about it. All told, a success appreciated by those who donated, swapped, or picked up something useful.
Leftovers went to Art to Change the World, which will route supplies to the new art room at Emma Norton’s Restoring Waters housing and donate what can’t be used there to other appropriate recipients.
Organizer Sophie Hakala said the Co-op will schedule another Arts & Crafts Swap in winter, TBD. Next up is a clothing swap Saturday, Sept. 7 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Co-op in the community room, 2551 Central Ave. NE. Anything that remains will be available as a “free store” on Sunday, Sept. 8 from 11-2, no drop-offs accepted that day.
Eastside Food Co-op is a supporter of Reuse Minnesota. Information about Reuse Minnesota and Art to Change the World was available at the Aug. 11 event.
Written by Margo Ashmore, Reuse Minnesota board member | Connect and learn more about her on her website
Reuse Minnesota was founded in 2012 and is a member-based nonprofit that supports repair, resale, and rental businesses, bringing visibility to the reuse sector as a means to lower our state's impact on the environment.
Contact usEmail Reuse Minnesota612-314-6283reusemn.org
© 2025 Reuse Minnesota. All rights reserved. | Reuse Minnesota is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization.
