Reuse

Benefits of reuse

• Saves stuff from filling up landfills
• Reduces demand for new goods, need to extract new resources, energy needed to manufacture and transport new goods around the globe
• Learning to fix things up can be a useful skill that can come in handy later, such as sewing
• Reusable stuff has more character; you can find unique, vintage items, or make your own stuff unique by fixing it up
• Previously used items are often much cheaper than new
• Secondhand = sooo hip!

Ways to reuse

• Reusing can be as easy as using reusable shopping bags, coffee mugs, and dishes rather than disposables.
• Or you can be creative and make tons of things out of old unwanted items. There are tons of DIY project ideas on the Internet, YouTube, and in books. Some ideas:
  
  • Make a pair of mini iPod speakers from a mint tin
  • Make a reusable tote bag out of an old t-shirt
  • 24 ways to reuse milk cartons
  • Many more ideas: DIY Reuse
• Reuse can also take the form of repairing, refurbishing, and salvaging used materials, rather than just throwing things out and replacing them.

Places to find quality secondhand items around Ithaca

Lucky for you, Ithaca has a ton of places you can find gently used clothing, furniture, housewares... just about everything. Use these resources to your advantage and you will be doing your bank account and the Earth a favor!

• Finger Lakes ReUse – 2255 North Triphammer Rd. – warehouse full of furniture, office supplies, housewares, home electronics, and much more
  
• Trader K’s – 119 The Commons – trendy, inexpensive, brand name clothing and accessories; you can also sell your used clothing
• Trader K's 2 – 15 Catherwood Rd. – a second location of the previous store by the Ithaca Mall
• Salvation Army – 381 Elmira Rd. – inexpensive clothing, toys, books, and more
• Mimi’s Attic – 430 W. State St. – quality, stylish home furnishings and décor
• Old Goat Gear Exchange – 320 E. State St. – quality used outdoor clothing and gear; will also buy or consign your used items
• Instant Replay Sports – Triphammer Marketplace, 2255 N. Triphammer Rd. – buy, sell, trade used sporting goods and clothing
• Petrune – 126 The Commons – quality vintage clothing from decades past
• Blue Bird Antiques – 113 W. State St. – antique furniture, vintage clothing, dishes, toys, books, and many other curiosities
• Share Tompkins – a great community dedicated to sustainability through the sharing and trading of goods and services among the community; they regularly hold swap meets and Really Really Free Markets in town
• Craigslist – pretty much everything you could need, from TVs to apartments to jobs to a date!
• Ithaca Freecycle – post things you need or have to offer for FREE; this is a well-established resource so you will most likely get a response!
• Swidjit – here you can post things you need or have to give away, sell, or barter; you can also post and discuss community events
• Yard sales are also great places to find cheap, funky, unique secondhand items, and help out your neighbors! You can usually find them them advertised on signs around town on the weekends, especially in the summer, and on Craigslist

On campus resources

• Take It Or Leave It (TIOLI)
• Office Supply Collection And Reuse (OSCAR)