We are excited to announce that Reuse Minnesota is featured in the April 2025 edition of Wedge Community Co-op's Cultivate magazine! Be sure to check out our spread on pages 10-11 for more details about our work and upcoming events.
This year, Reuse Minnesota was selected as one of Wedge Co-op's 2025 Change Matters partners. The Change Matters program is a powerful initiative that raises funds for local non-profits and community-enrichment organizations through customer donations at Wedge Co-op's registers. Shoppers are invited to round up their purchases to the next dollar, and while these donations may seem small, they make a significant impact. On average, the program raises $10,000 each month, with 100% of the funds going directly to the selected partner organizations.
To celebrate our partnership, Reuse Minnesota is hosting two exciting, interactive events at Wedge Co-op locations in April:
April 12: Join us at the Lyndale location from 2-5 pm for a free book swap. Bring any gently used books you no longer need, and browse what others have to offer!
April 19: Stop by the Linden Hills location from 2-5 pm to transform discarded t-shirts into produce totes. This hands-on workshop will show you how to repurpose old t-shirts into useful, eco-friendly bags.
These events are part of our ongoing efforts to educate the community about the benefits of reuse. For more details, visit reusemn.org/events.
We are so grateful for the support of Wedge Co-op and the Change Matters program, and we look forward to seeing you at these upcoming events!
Stearns History Museum teamed up with 510 Art Lab to host their first-ever Fix-It Clinic on Friday, March 28, in partnership with Reuse Minnesota. This free community event offered a fantastic opportunity for individuals to have their textiles and household items repaired by skilled volunteers.
At check-in, participants provided details about their items and any issues they were experiencing. After weighing the items (to track how much waste was kept out of the landfill), they were paired with a volunteer fixer or mender. Together, they worked to diagnose problems and find creative ways to restore the items, with participants getting hands-on, disassembling and assisting with repairs.
A big thank you to Handyman's Inc. for generously donating supplies and tools, and to 510 Art Lab for hosting the event.
Upcoming Fix-It Clinics:
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.
Reuse Minnesota is excited to announce the appointment of its new board officers for 2025. Margo Ashmore will take on the role of president, bringing her leadership and passion for reuse to the forefront. Emily Noyes will serve as vice president, while Katie Drews steps into the role of treasurer, and Jason Mumme will serve as secretary. We are excited to have these passionate individuals on board to help Reuse Minnesota continue its work of promoting reuse and reducing waste across the state.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 14, 2025
Reuse Minnesota seeks volunteers for new fix-it clinics across Greater Minnesota
TWIN CITIES, MN – Do you have a talent for fixing, tinkering, or mending items? Reuse Minnesota invites skilled individuals to volunteer at the upcoming Fix-It Clinics across Greater Minnesota, helping residents repair their items, reduce waste, and share valuable skills within their communities.
In partnership with five regional organizations, Reuse Minnesota is helping launch these clinics to encourage the repair and mending of items, extending their lifespan, and reducing waste. This initiative promotes sustainable practices while strengthening community bonds through hands-on skill sharing and resource collaboration. Volunteers with experience in fixing, mending, or carpentry are encouraged to sign up, as well as individuals who are willing to assist with general event needs.
The partners include:
- Chisago County - Dodge County - Olmsted County - Pope/Douglas Solid Waste Management - Stearns History Museum
Each partner will host a Fix-It Clinic approximately once a quarter, with the potential to increase in frequency. If you’re interested in sharing your skills or supporting these events in one or more of the regions listed, please fill out the volunteer interest form: https://forms.gle/XUf1tSjBD6onsVws9.
Additionally, youth under the age of 18 are welcome to participate with adult supervision. Adults can submit a form for any interested youth using a link at the end of the form.
This program is made possible through a Statewide Waste Reduction and Reuse grant from the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency.
For more information, please contact Reuse Minnesota at fixit@reusemn.org.
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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.
For media inquiries, please contact:
Carolyn Wieland 612-314-6283 carolynwieland@reusemn.org reusemn.org
Reuse Minnesota is excited to share that we have been selected as the April 2025 Wedge Community Co-ops Change Matters Partner! This program offers patrons a chance to support local nonprofits by rounding up at the register. This funding with help support our programming and operations and we greatly appreciate this opportunity!
Our friends at Elpis Enterprises were also selected as the January partner.
Read more here.
Reuse Minnesota is pleased to share the results of our recent board election. All candidates received well over 50% of the votes casts and we are excited to welcome them to the team. Hannah Jenkins returns for a second term, and Katie Drews, Charley Langowski, Jason Mumme, Emma Pardini, Melissa Seeley, and Audrey Woychick will all join the board for their first term in January 2025.
These individuals represent a wide swath of the reuse world and their diversity of backgrounds will be great assets to the organization. We are also excited to have two new members representing Greater Minnesota. We greatly appreciate all the candidate's willingness to share their skills to help grow Reuse Minnesota!
REUSE24 conference recap: Highlights from Reuse Minnesota’s 5th annual event Reuse Minnesota hosted its 5th annual conference in the Twin Cities from October 8-9, 2024. Preconference site visits took place on October 8, offering attendees a unique opportunity to explore local reuse organizations. The main event was held on October 9 at Hennepin Technical College in Brooklyn Park, bringing together 200 experts, thought leaders, and change-makers from across the nation—and even from Scotland! The conference facilitated networking, learning, and exploring ways to strengthen and expand the reuse economy. In addition to the in-person attendees, eight virtual speakers participated. Attendees were grateful to learn about other reuse efforts happening outside of Minnesota.
Preconference tours and social hour
Five Reuse Minnesota members generously hosted preconference site visits, offering participants an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at their organizations.
Participants learned more about the social and economic impact these members are making in our community. We are thankful to these hosts for helping us kick off the conference: Furnish Office & Home, Loose Parts Laboratory, Macalester College, Minnesota Tech for Success, and Recovery Bike Shop.
Following the site visits, Minnesota Tech for Success generously hosted a social hour where conference guests had the opportunity to mingle and connect, sharing their personal and professional connections to reuse.
Keynote and conference sessions
This year’s conference featured a wide variety of engaging breakout sessions. With an array of 20 sessions, attendees commented that it was difficult to decide which one to attend! You can check out the full list of sessions, descriptions, and speaker bios in our conference guide.
Our keynote speaker, Shontel Isham, owner of Nibi Earth and representative of the Leech Lake Tribal Reserve, shared her experience and insights into the reuse and social programs in Cabin Country. The audience appreciated how she humanized reuse, inspiring attendees to consider its role in connecting and strengthening communities. Back by popular demand, we also hosted a hands-on programming session where attendees could learn new skills such as mending, furniture upcycling, creative arts, and mindfulness. This afternoon session was the perfect energy booster after enjoying our delicious lunch planned and prepared by culinary students from Hennepin Technical College.
Additional conference highlights
Book swap - Attendees, as well as Hennepin Technical College students and staff, participated in a book swap. A variety of topics from cookbooks to children’s literature were swapped.
Silent auction - Items donated to the auction featured an assortment of upcycled items and reusable products. Proceeds from the auction will support Reuse Minnesota’s work in educating the public about reuse, advocating for supportive policies, and promoting local reuse businesses and organizations.
Thanks to our sponsors and exhibitorsWe are grateful to our sponsors for their continued support of our event. Their generosity makes it possible for us to plan and deliver an impactful experience. This year, we had a record 15 exhibitors! They were busy engaging with attendees during scheduled breaks. We appreciate their presence in helping foster connections within the reuse community.
Sponsors: Brave North Technology, Bridging, Eureka Recycling, HDR, Hennepin County, Minnesota Cloth Diaper Bank, Minnesota Waste Wise, Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, Mission Critical Systems, PaintCare, Ramsey/Washington Recycling & Energy, r.World, The Green Mission, and University of Minnesota ReUse Program.
Exhibitors: Better Futures Minnesota, Bridging, Dodge County, Hennepin County, Hennepin Healthcare, Homebody Refill Market, Minnesota Toy Library, MnTAP, PaintCare, Park+Coop, r.World, Ramsey/Washington Recycling & Energy, Reuse Minnesota, Space by Space Organizing, and Minnesota Waste Wise. We would also like to extend our thanks to the team at Hennepin Technical College, whose culinary students and instructors created a menu that met dietary needs, used reusables, and helped reduce food waste by letting attendees take home leftovers.
Looking ahead
Reuse Minnesota is excited to continue working with our members and partners to make Minnesota a leader in sustainable reuse practices. For more photos and highlights from REUSE24, visit our website.
Ways to get involved
Become a member of Reuse Minnesota as an individual or organization
Register to attend our annual meeting on November 20, 2024
Donate to support our work
Sign up for our monthly newsletter
Follow us on social media @reusemn
Email us if you'd like to be considered as a site visit host, speaker, sponsor, or exhibitor at REUSE25
We’re excited to continue growing the reuse economy in the year ahead!
Reuse Minnesota would like to thank everyone who joined our fundraiser or participated in our online silent auction. Together, we managed to raise $4,332. More than 70 family members, friends, and colleagues of Reuse Minnesota members gathered at Sports Page in Bloomington on July 11 for a fun event, connecting and sharing with fellow reuse enthusiasts and enjoying delicious food.
A guest noted that it was a nice mix of ages and genders, a lot of energy, and a board of directors team that worked well together to make it a great time and get people on their way with purchases soon after the silent auction closed.
During the silent auction, bidders could win unique hand-crafted items, themed baskets, experiences, and services. We are so thankful to all the individuals and organizations who generously donated items for the auction.
Reuse Minnesota used the free Givebutter.com platform to accommodate bidding by phone or computer before and during the event, so folks could monitor their bids without hovering. Payment closeout was as simple as pushing a button in an email to confirm purchase.
The group also heard brief highlights from Executive Director Emily Barker that included offering creative mending clinics, tours of places that practice reuse, school programs, and the most recent Rebates for Repair which rebated nearly $8,000 to consumers and supported repair businesses.
The funds raised from the event will contribute to our efforts in educating Minnesotans about reuse, advocating for reuse-supportive policies, and promoting our thriving reuse businesses and organizations. Special thanks go to the Reuse Minnesota board of directors for their hard work in planning this successful event!
You can check out our event photos here:
Reuse Minnesota supports organizations and businesses that divert waste and prevent the need for resources for new manufacture by educating, advocating, and promoting reuse, repurposing, upcycling, and repairing items. Members range from individuals to businesses like thrift stores, nonprofits, and government agencies that support reuse.
We are excited to celebrate today with our friends across the country as Minnesota and California join New York and Colorado (and soon Oregon) in expanding the right to repair across the United States!
As you may know, this day has been many years in the making. Work to bring Right to Repair to Minnesota began legislatively nearly a decade ago, in 2015. Many individuals and organizations worked hard to get us to this day by writing letters, making phone calls, providing testimony, and meeting with policymakers to make the case for Right to Repair. And our policy makers did the hard work of educating their colleagues and meeting with all constituents on the issue. Despite opposition from some sectors, the broad support for this legislation allowed this day to be possible and we are grateful to each person who took the time to make sure Minnesota is one of the leaders for digital fair repair!
You may be wondering what changes now. While there are still unknowns about the readiness of manufacturers to fully comply with the requirements of the law today, what we do know is this: Manufacturers for many consumer electronics including smart phones, tablets, laptops, TVs, cameras, and more, business enterprise equipment like servers and networking equipment, and appliances (sold on or after July 1, 2021) must make the tools, parts, manuals, and diagnostics available to any individuals and businesses who want to make repairs. The Minnesota right to repair coalition will be watching to ensure this happens. And if you find yourself or your business in a situation where it seems the law is not being followed, please contact the Minnesota Attorney General's office.
One of the most exciting things about today is that, when combined with the laws already in place or becoming effective today, nearly 20% of people living in the US will be covered by electronics Right to Repair protections. This is huge in ensuring fair and equitable access to technology, the ability for small repair businesses to thrive, and for individuals to be able to make their own repairs if desired.
Learn more about Right to Repair across the United States.
Each year, Green Sports Alliance members and partners collaborate to create two new playbooks—blueprints for sustainability in sport and entertainment. This year, Reuse Minnesota is proud to announce its role as a contributor to the Reuse Playbook. We are honored to have shared our experience and ideas for this playbook, which was presented at the 2024 Green Sports Alliance Summit.
“Reuse within the field of sports provides an opportunity to connect with individuals who may not otherwise think much about reuse. Encouraging reuse in social spaces like sports is critical to normalizing reuse.“ - Emily Barker, Executive Director, Reuse Minnesota.
Dive into the 6 fundamentals: 1. Environmental and Social Benefits 2. Economic Opportunities 3. Procurement & Design Considerations 4. How to Launch a Reuse System5. Measuring Success and Continuous Improvement 6. Fan Experience, Communication, and Amplification
Learn more and access the playbook online: www.greensportsalliance.org/playbooks/reuse
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.
