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:

• Collaborating with city liaisons
• Recruiting and managing volunteers
• Handling event logistics

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.