January Positive Change Recipient – Finger Lakes ReUse

A Note from GreenStar:  Finger Lakes ReUse was elected by GreenStar members to be among our twelve 2024 Partners for Change. Finger Lakes ReUse is January’s Positive Change recipient. Finger Lakes ReUse is also a Cooperators in the Community Partner. Learn more about Cooperators in the Community, and get involved, here.

Finger Lakes ReUse (ReUse) is honored to be featured in January as Greenstar’s Positive Change Recipient.

ReUse is addressing a global waste problem at the local level by transforming used materials into opportunities. We are a community-powered nonprofit, established in 2007, with a mission to enhance community, economy, and environment through reuse. Today we operate two popular Community ReUse Centers in the Ithaca area: the Ithaca ReUse Center (214 Elmira Rd) and the Triphammer ReUse MegaCenter (2255 N Triphammer Rd). Growing in direct response to local demand, we receive an average of 150 drop-off donations each day and keep close to 1 million items in use locally each year.

A unique public-private partnership founded in close collaboration with Tompkins County Recycling & Materials Management, Finger Lakes ReUse transforms used materials into multiple impacts that benefit our most vulnerable neighbors. Merchandise sales directly support low-barrier living wage jobs and paid job training opportunities, and give individuals, families, and nonprofit agencies in need access to free and low-cost materials.

ReSET (ReUse Skills & Employment Training) is a job training program designed to help people with barriers to employment gain hands-on job skills experience in a supportive environment and get connected to successful, quality careers. So far in 2023, ReUse has had 19 apprentices participate in this program, many finding employment in the community once the program has been completed.

Hundreds of local families every year gain relief through the ReUse Materials Access Program (ReMAP). ReMAP partners with over 60 local human service organizations, to provide their clients with free access to materials in our ReUse Centers and free delivery to their door when possible. In 2023, ReMAP provided 450 households with nearly  $100,000 in material value. This program is committed to making quality materials accessible to those who need them most.

A recent ReMAP participant shared this with us: “ReMAP allowed me to go back to school […] and gain employment to support myself and my family. I couldn’t have done it without the help.”

Our community of donors, customers, volunteers, staff, trainees, and supporters work together to transform waste and provide a model for other communities to develop their own reuse enterprises.  Join us in building a just, resilient world that values people and resources – shop, volunteer, and donate at ithacareuse.org.