ReUse: Turning Trash into Cash

One man’s trash may be another man’s treasure, but what about one man’s trash becoming another man’s cash? Who ever thought that trash could improve an economy! This is just the idea that ReUse Industries is using. In 1994 an AmeriCorps VISTA worker with Rural Action, a local activist group, had the idea to begin a non-profit organization that would create jobs, generate income within the local economy, and reduce the amount of waste going into landfills. ReUse Industries, funded by several different grants and loans, was born at a 20-year-old abandoned farm in Albany. Volunteers came together to renovate several of the dilapidated buildings now used for storage, repair, offices, and a store. Then in 2005 ReUse continued to participate in community restoration by purchasing and renovating a 100-year-old abandoned store in Wellston, which was turned into a thrift store to sell the salvaged merchandise (Good for You). Another thrift store was later opened up in Athens, which is currently thriving.

Located in an area of rural Ohio with a poverty rate of 30%, ReUse Industries’ goals are rooted in both environmental and economic sustainability (“Community Page”). Their mission statement declares, "The purpose of the corporations shall be to promote, support, sponsor and conduct economic development activities, including research, job creation, job training and business development, utilizing waste and discarded resources” (“Funder Information”). While the Athens and Wellston thrift stores resemble other thrift stores, selling clothes, knick knacks, household goods, books, and various smaller items, the Albany store is distinct in the world of ‘thrifting’. They accept, repair, clean, and sell building materials, furniture, hardware, appliance, including refrigerators and washing machines, and really anything under the sun. The store’s walls are lined with everything from wallpaper to TVs to luggage to office desks. In this way ReUse is able to supply much needed items to those who would not otherwise be able to afford them. Originally ReUse worked with Mullen’s Appliance, a local repair shop, to repair and salvage parts and electronics; however, now they do their own minimal repairs. They require that electronics be in working condition and that the donated items fall within their conditions for acceptance listed on their website. Cathy Wilson, ReUse Industries’ executive director, said that at times “we get stuff and we don’t even know what it is!” Once a mobile home was even donated, which was quickly turned around and sold. Certainly this variety in supply is their greatest advantage over other similar operations. Since its inception ReUse has diverted over 6.5 million pounds of waste from landfills (Good for You).

In such a poverty stricken region, the demand for cheap, needed items is great. Wilson noted that their prices are usually about 25% of what the item would likely cost if it were new. Therefore, she said that last year those who bought from ReUse were able to retain a total of $78,000, which could then be spent on other necessities. This is a powerful thing in the life of someone who would not otherwise be able to provide for his or her family. While the greatest demand comes from low income individuals, Wilson says that there is also the type of shopper who just “really sees value in used stuff” as well as the environmentalist who shops at ReUse because it’s earth-friendly and reduces the demand for new ‘stuff’ to be created. The demand for reused goods has not diminished nor does it have any reason to do so in the future, and so the organization proves not only feasible but also sustainable.

On the financial end, ReUse has seen great improvements and is just about at their goal as a business, to be 100% self-sufficient. AmeriCorps VISTA workers have been assigned to the organization since its commencement; however, that program will be ending this coming summer of 2009. ReUse no longer uses grant money, but is able to maintain its budget based on sales alone. There is still some fundraising that goes on, but more than anything the simple cycle of donation, restoration, and resale is enough to keep the business afloat, making it not only logistically sustainable, but also economically sustainable. Between eight and ten jobs have been created in the process, which was one of the original goals as declared in the mission statement. There are several volunteers who help out at the three stores, but in addition ReUse Industries is a job training site and has trained almost 300 job training clients since its inception. Letting individuals train and get their foot in the door, ReUse is able to support the local job market and labor force, eventually strengthening the economy as well.

The “P.C.s to the People” program, which began in 2001, also has great implications for the communities’ development. It began as a collaborative effort with the Athens County Department of Job & Family Services and Hocking College and later became a program solely run by ReUse Industries (“PCs to the People”). They accept personal computer equipment at the Albany site and then refurbish the systems to sell at a reduced rate to low income residents. The donations are tax-deductible and allow individuals or families, based on their income level, to purchase a monitor, CPU, keyboard, and mouse with a licensed Microsoft operating system (P.C.s to the People). This is a tremendous opportunity for some who would not otherwise be able to purchase a computer and therefore lack technological knowledge in an ever-increasing technological age. “Studies have shown that individuals with computer skills are much more likely to attain gainful employment, typically at a much higher level of pay than those without these skills” (“PCs to the People”). This not only keeps these electronics out of landfills but puts them into the hands of people who will have an increased possibility of obtaining better jobs and therefore further developing the local economy.

ReUse attempts to build relationships with local organizations and businesses, as it had done in the early stages of the “P.C.s to People” program, and has a relationship with Ohio University as well. ReUse provides a pick-up service free of charge for most donations within the city limits of surrounding towns and cities including Athens, Wellston, Jackson, Albany and several others. In the case of OU, ReUse has a truck that remains parked at the campus recycling site and transports reusable materials back to the farm in Albany for resale when the truck is full. Originally OU used to donate much more than it currently gives because it now auctions off most items. ReUse still receives some wood, building materials, and other things that can’t be auctioned off.

OU’s students also have opportunities to donate used items. One of the busiest times of the year for ReUse is in conjunction with the OU calendar: student move out. Cathy Wilson said that they are a “major off campus force for picking up stuff” for those several days as students scramble to move out of dorms and apartments, discarding their unwanted items. According to Wilson they make well over 200 pickups within a couple of days. Another big event for ReUse Industries is its Community Yard Sale, started in 2006, which will be held May 9, 2009 of this year (“Community Yard Sale 2009!”). Community members are encouraged to sign up for a vendor spot to sell their own reusable items. While ReUse does not make a great profit on this day, it is good publicity for the organization and shows support for the community, raising awareness for the importance of reuse.

Even with the current economic recession, ReUse has been doing alright. They have found that building materials are not in as great of a demand, especially given the location of the farm in Albany, and so they have reduced hours at the Albany facility from six days a week to Saturdays only from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. At the two other thrift stores demand has actually increased because as individuals’ incomes decrease, there is a much greater need for inexpensive necessities. In general the Athens store has multiplied its revenue, seeing an increase in sales of $40,000 between 2007 and 2008, according to Wilson. Within that time frame another local thrift store, New to You, moved its location to Columbus Road in Athens, practically next door to the ReUse thrift store. Cathy Wilson said that they are “thrilled that they (New to You) moved.” She doesn’t view them as competitors but said that having another similar store actually brings in more customers, creating a larger market. Goodwill also arrived in Athens in 2008. While Wilson said there hasn’t necessarily been a pull away from ReUse’s customers, she said that it’s “like having a Walmart come into town” since it’s a large corporation with a bigger money pool. ReUse, a local effort, attempts to support other local businesses when they can, therefore supporting economic development within the community.

ReUse Industries’ board of directors has a development committee to set future goals for the organization, one being increased energy efficiency. Currently they are not able to switch to solar power as they would like due to a lack of grant money and an inability to take out further loans; however, that is a future hope for the business. In the meantime, Wilson mentioned that the business’ greatest need is just for the community to continue to donate and shop at ReUse. “The more donations we have the more someone else sees a purpose for it,” she said. She made note of how she sees students donating their furniture and goods at the end of the year and then other students coming and buying them at the start of the next year, explaining that “it’s kind of like a circle.” ReUse Industries truly sees the benefits of “keeping the goods within the community and reusing them,” and really does turn one man’s trash into another man’s cash, as well as another man’s treasure. It’s a win-win situation for the whole community, straight out of the waste stream.


Appendix: Interview Questions

1. Where did the idea originate? How did you acquire the land? What did ReUse Industries do in the very beginning?
2. Is there a specific mission statement?
3. How has the community responded to this initiative (in all of its stages)? Times when support was down?
4. What kind of an interest has there been in ReUse? How has it changed and grown over the years? What are some of its effects in the community?
5. What kinds of items are donated and how are they repaired/cleaned/fixed? Who generally donates them?- Relationship to businesses/contractors/OU, etc?
6. PC’s to the People program?
7. Where does most of the demand come from for your items?
8. Is there any competition between the various other thrift stores (Goodwill, New to You) in Athens?
9. How many people who work here are full time/part time/work for wares/volunteer? How are people selected to work here and what kinds of skills are needed for the different jobs?
10. What do you see in the future for ReUse- more/different programs, larger scale? What are some future goals that ReUse hopes to attain/fulfill?
11. How it is primarily funded? What makes it economically feasible? How has the current state of the economy affected the business?
12. What is the biggest challenge that this organization faces?
13. I read on your blog that the VISTA program will be ending this summer. Why was it not renewed, if I might ask, and how is this going to affect the business? What are the specific volunteer needs?

Works Cited

“Community Page.” ReUse Industries. 27 Feb. 2009 <http://www.reuseindustries.org/community.htm>.

"Community Yard Sale 2009!" Weblog Entry. ReUse Industries. 26 Feb. 2009. 1 Mar. 2009 <http://www.reuseindustries.org/blog/>.

“Funder Information.” ReUse Industries. 1 Mar. 2009 <http://www.reuseindustries.org/funders.htm>.

Good for You, Good for the Community! ReUse Industries.

P.C.s to the People. ReUse Industries.

“PC s to the People.” ReUse Industries. 1 Mar. 2009 <http://www.reuseindustries.org/pcs.htm>.

Wilson, Cathy. Personal Interview. 21 Feb. 2009.