On July 15, 2025, Chisago County held its first Fix-It Clinic at the North Branch Library, in partnership with Reuse Minnesota.
Thanks to these efforts, the clinic diverted 59 pounds of waste from the landfill. It also sparked valuable conversations about repair, reuse, and sustainability.
Huge thanks to the volunteers and attendees who made this launch event such a win for Chisago County!
The event was funded by a Statewide Waste Reduction and Reuse grant from the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, with support and guidance from Reuse Minnesota, a nonprofit dedicated to advancing reuse through education, advocacy, and partnership.
Get involved
Are you handy with repairs, sewing, or just want to help out at future events? We’re always looking for more volunteers! Fill out the volunteer interest form, and we’ll notify you about upcoming opportunities.
Future Clinics
For upcoming Fix-It Clinic dates, visit: https://www.chisagocountymn.gov/1453/Fix-It-Clinics or reusemn.org/events
This summer, thanks to a Green Partners grant from Hennepin County, Reuse Minnesota partnered with the Minneapolis Park & Recreation Board to offer two separate weeks of sustainability-focused summer camps for youth ages 8–13. The camps were held at Powderhorn and Beltrami Parks.
Campers explored the many ways reuse can help protect our planet—learning essential skills like sewing and mending, diving into hands-on upcycling projects, and discovering creative ways to reduce waste. Through engaging workshops and activities, students gained the tools and inspiration to become environmental changemakers in their communities.
Highlights from the camp included:
We thank all of our instructors and community partners who helped shape these weeks of camp! It was fun seeing the creativity and engagement from the campers who participated in these camps.
From March to April 2025, ten St. Louis Park middle school students in grades 6 and 7 participated in Club Mend, an 8-week after-school program focused on clothing repair and creative upcycling. Over the weeks, students built a variety of skills starting with basics like threading a needle, tying knots, and learning running and whip stitches. They practiced visible mending, replaced buttons, and created pocket mending kits.
The program also covered important topics such as fast fashion, the benefits of reuse and repair, and repurposing old T-shirts, turning them into T-shirt tote bags. Students explored creative reuse by painting on reclaimed denim and making patches through iron-on, hand sewing, and machine sewing techniques.
Students got to learn more advanced skills included darning (both freehand and using a speedloom), with dedicated practice sessions. In celebration of Earth Day, students tried English paper piecing to create fabric flowers. The program wrapped up with upcycling button-up shirts into gift bags.
Funded by Hennepin County’s Green Partners grant, Club Mend allowed Reuse Minnesota the opportunity to teach younger generations essential mending skills, while inspiring them to think creatively about repairing and upcycling textiles.
Dodge County celebrated the success of its first-ever Fix-It Clinic on July 13, 2025, held at Dodge County Renovation Reuse. Organized in partnership with Reuse Minnesota, the event gave community members the chance to bring in broken or worn household items and work side-by-side with skilled volunteers to diagnose and repair them, all free of charge.
Thanks to the generosity and expertise of our volunteer fixers and menders, participants were able to give new life to a variety of items including a vacuum, rocking chair, bikes, lamp, air purifier, and more. In total, over 211 pounds of waste were kept out of the landfill.
For upcoming Fix-It Clinic dates, visit: www.co.dodge.mn.us/fix-it_clinics or reusemn.org/events
Minneapolis, MN – Reuse Minnesota is proud to announce that it has been selected by Hennepin County as the contractor to coordinate and facilitate a new series of large-scale community swap events. Running from June 2025 through June 2027, this initiative aims to reduce waste by encouraging residents across the county to exchange reusable goods rather than dispose of them.
Twelve swap events will be hosted in various cities throughout Hennepin County, focusing on a range of materials including school supplies, toys, household goods, and more. Swap events are free community gatherings where people bring gently used items they no longer need and take home items they can use, all for free. It’s a fun, sustainable way to reduce waste, share resources, build community, and support local reuse efforts.
As the coordinating organization, Reuse Minnesota will manage all aspects of event planning and execution. Responsibilities include:
Volunteers wanted
Reuse Minnesota is currently seeking volunteers to support these events. Volunteer roles may include: welcoming attendees, assisting with setup and cleanup, checking in items, sorting donations, and more. Interested individuals can sign up to receive updates on volunteer opportunities by filling out this interest form: https://forms.gle/xwrVvXrYaYpF2EGd6
Reuse Minnesota brings extensive experience in planning and facilitating swap events. In 2022, the organization led training sessions for Minnesota government staff and community members on the benefits and logistics of hosting swaps. Executive Director Emily Barker previously led a series of successful swap events for the City of St. Louis Park, while her colleague Carolyn Wieland helped coordinate clothing swaps for the City of Eden Prairie.
The organization has also partnered with Wedge Co-op to host a book swap at its Lyndale location and organized a swap at REUSE24, Reuse Minnesota’s annual conference, bringing together leaders from business, nonprofits, government, and academia to promote reuse and sustainability.
This countywide swap initiative directly supports Reuse Minnesota’s mission to advance reuse across the state and contribute to a more sustainable, circular economy.
About Reuse Minnesota
Reuse Minnesota is a nonprofit organization dedicated to growing reuse in the state of Minnesota and beyond.
Reuse Minnesota builds partnerships and supports a strong network of businesses and organizations focused on reuse. Through education, advocacy, and promotion, the organization raises awareness about the benefits of reuse. It is dedicated to advocating for repair, resale, and rental businesses, helping to promote the reuse economy. Their goal is to make reuse a central part of everyday life, contributing to a more sustainable future for Minnesota.
In April 2025, Reuse Minnesota was honored to be the Change Matters partner at Wedge Co-op. Thanks to the generosity of Wedge Community Co-op, its shoppers, and product partners, a total of $10,708.19 was raised to support local reuse and repair initiatives. This includes $10,287.94 in register round-ups and $420.25 from sales of partner products by Baker’s Field Flour & Bread and Lowry Hill Provisions.
We’re so thankful to the Wedge for its commitment to community-driven change through the Change Matters program. The funds raised will help launch Reuse Minnesota’s mending and repair rebate program in 2026, empowering people to extend the life of their belongings and reduce waste. Thank you to everyone for shopping and supporting Reuse Minnesota!
Thank you to everyone who joined us either in person or online, for our quarterly member meeting last week! We were thrilled to welcome 54 members and guests for an engaging and inspiring day centered around reuse, community, and collaboration.
The day began with site visits to two member organizations:
Attendees enjoyed behind-the-scenes insights and even left with a few special finds!
Following lunch, members gathered at the Northfield Arts Guild for our formal meeting session. We were honored to welcome two special guests:
During the meeting, we also shared organizational updates, including:
We were proud to spotlight two member organizations during our meeting:
Throughout the day, members had the opportunity to connect, collaborate, and explore the Northfield reuse community. Thank you to our hosts, speakers, and attendees for participating!
Mark your calendar: Our next member meeting is set for August 7—details coming soon!
Olmsted County held its first-ever Fix-It Clinic on Saturday, May 3, in partnership with Reuse Minnesota. The clinic was held during Rochester’s annual EarthFest Expo, a one-day event celebrating sustainable innovation, community connection, and shared learning.
Local news station KAAL was onsite to cover the event and featured the fix-it clinics. Community members were invited to bring in broken or damaged items to be repaired for free by skilled volunteers.
At check-in, participants described the issues with their items and had them weighed to track how much waste was diverted from the trash. They were then paired with volunteer fixers and menders to work together on diagnosing problems and making repairs. Many participants got hands-on, learning how to disassemble and help fix their items.
A total of 76 items were brought in, and an impressive 80% were successfully repaired on site. The items ranged from textiles and toys to small appliances and lamps. Volunteers enjoyed sharing their skills, learning from one another, and empowering others in the community to embrace repair and reuse.
Click here if you would like to learn more about volunteering at a future clinic.
Olmsted County plans to host more Fix-It Clinics in the future. Please visit their website for updates and upcoming dates!
This event was made possible by funding from the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency’s Statewide Waste Reduction and Reuse grant, supporting our shared commitment to sustainability and waste reduction in the community.
Last week, we shared simple reuse and repair habits anyone can adopt to reduce waste. This week, we’re building on that momentum by tapping into the wisdom of our community! We asked Reuse Minnesota members to share their best tips for shopping secondhand. Enjoy these tips you can use when shopping for clothing, electronics, furniture, and even event supplies!
Thrifting isn’t just about saving money, although that is a nice perk! It’s about making thoughtful choices that reduce waste and help build a more sustainable future. Whether you’re a seasoned thrifter or just getting started, these tips can help you make the most of your secondhand shopping experience.
Amanda J., Free Geek Twin Cities | https://www.freegeek.org/
“Always expect the unexpected! If you go in looking for a very specific item, chances are you’ll leave disappointed (unless it’s super generic). Keep an open mind and be pleasantly surprised.
Check electronics for battery leakage before buying.”
Roxanne S., Nine Lives | https://www.ninelivesthrift.com/
“Carry a measuring tape! Measure yourself and the garment, and don’t be afraid to try things on—even over your clothes. Pro tip: Nine Lives sells measuring tapes in-store!”
Shawnda S., Family Pathways Thrift Store | https://www.familypathways.org/thrift-stores/
“The golden rule: if you love it, grab it! It might not be there tomorrow. Look one size up and one size down. Sizing varies wildly between brands and eras, and items may have been altered or shrunk.”
Brock L., Device Pitstop Maple Grove | https://www.devicepitstopmg.com/
“Windows 10 support ends this October. Need to upgrade? Device Pitstop has tons of pre-owned, Windows 11-ready computers—perfect for stretching your dollar.”
Robin H., ReStore | https://restore.tchabitat.org/
“Bring your room and doorway measurements to ensure things fit. Use your imagination! That cabinet might become a coffee bar with a little creativity. Check out [ReStore’s DIY page](https://restore.tchabitat.org/restorediy) for inspiration.”
Jeremy M., LumberStash | https://www.lumberstash.com/
Jeremy sources secondhand clothing with his friend Cassie, who rebrands it with the LumberStash logo, giving each item a sustainable, stylish twist. Check out her work at thewildthimble.com
Amy H., Prism/Shop for Change | https://prismmpls.org/program-overview/shop-for-change-thrift-shop/
“Get to know the staff—they’ll clue you in on the best times for new arrivals. Be curious, go slow, and always make two passes. You’ll be amazed at what you spot the second time around.”
Morgan S., Old School | https://oldschoolthrifty.org/
Planning an event? “Thrift your decor! You can find tablecloths, plates, napkins, and more—it just takes time. Start early, and stick to your theme and color scheme. Bonus: Wear clothes that make it easy to try things on or bring your measurements and a tape measure!”
Diane R., ReStore | https://restore.tchabitat.org/
“I keep a note on my phone with measurements from around the house—window sizes, furnace filters, bookshelf space, and more. ‘Measure twice, buy once!’”
Small changes can lead to a big impact. Whether you’re thrifting to save money, reduce waste, or both—these tips are a great place to start.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 28, 2025
Free mending events and sewing machine workshops offered by Reuse Minnesota this May
MINNEAPOLIS, MN - Reuse Minnesota is excited to announce a series of free events in May aimed at helping community members extend the life of their clothing and build their sewing confidence. These events are perfect for anyone looking to reduce waste, save money, and learn valuable repair skills.
Mend-It May at Old School Thrift
Throughout the month of May, Reuse Minnesota will host Mend-It May, a series of free, appointment-only mending sessions at Old School thrift store, located at 1901 Nicollet Avenue South in Minneapolis.
Unlike past mending clinics, these events will feature one-on-one repair appointments with a mender. Each participant will receive a dedicated 30-minute session to have their clothing or textile items mended. Space is limited, and appointments are required.
Sewing machine basics workshop: Pedal to the Metal
In addition to Mend-It May, Reuse Minnesota is offering Pedal to the metal: Sewing machine basics, a hands-on workshop perfect for beginners or anyone needing a refresher. This free workshop will be offered on two dates:
Attendees can register for a 25-minute one-on-one session where they will receive personalized instruction covering the essentials of sewing machine use. Participants will learn how to:
Note: Attendees must bring their own sewing machine. Machines will not be provided. Space is limited for all sessions, so early registration is encouraged.
These events are part of Reuse Minnesota’s mission to promote repair and reuse throughout the state. Funding is provided by Minnesota Pollution Control Agency's Environmental Assistance Grant.
For more information or to sign up for an event, please visit Reuse Minnesota's website at reusemn.org/events or contact info@reusemn.org.
For media inquiries, please contact: Carolyn Wieland 612-314-6283carolynwieland@reusemn.orgreusemn.org
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.
