ReUse Industries
E-Newsletter
July 2006

‘Did You Know?’Facts of the month: During WW2 recycling and reusing were promoted as a citizens’ patriotic duty by the United States’ government. Old metal was melted down to build planes and tanks; rubber was recycled to make tires; and reusable items were collected to give to war evacuees—the Women’s Voluntary Services alone made over seven-million phone calls to collect reusables such as clothing. Today, recycling and reuse are still part of being a responsible citizen. When you reduce your personal consumption of resources you: reduce landfill space, reduce energy usage, and save resources for future generations. Remember organizations like ReUse Industries the next time you have materials you no longer want but that still have life in them.

ReUse Industries Fully Stocked with Merchandise

Following Ohio University’s Student Moveout, all three of ReUse Industries’ locations are fully stocked with merchandise of all kinds. Come to ReUse Industries and experience a wide selection of furniture, housewares, and other items.

ReUse Industries Searching for AmeriCorps*VISTA Volunteers

Join AmeriCorps now at ReUse Industries! AmeriCorps*VISTA members are full-time volunteers who dedicate one year of their life to building the capacity of organizations such as ReUse Industries. In the past, ReUse VISTAs have worked on a variety of projects such as: grant writing and reporting, volunteer recruitment, and marketing. Members receive an $809 a month living stipend, end of service educational award of $4,725 or $1200 cash stipend, and health benefits. A higher educational degree or relevant experience is required. VISTAs will begin their term of service on August 21st. The deadline to Apply is July 14th. For more information contact Cathy Wilson at (740) 698-8200 x 12.

Ohio University Student Moveout

This year’s Student Moveout Recovery Project was a huge success. ReUse Industries’ staff, VISTAs, and volunteers worked diligently to collect an estimated 40,000 pounds of reusable materials. Students dropped off materials at ReUse Industries’ thrift store in Athens, and ReUse staff and volunteers used three separate trucks to pick up and transport donations. Several of these donations have already been placed out for resale at all reuse locations. ReUse Industries has also placed a large amount of materials in storage to periodically restock all three ReUse lo cations.
ReUse Industries would like to thank our volunteers for their help and support, and we would like to thank all the students at Ohio University who did the right thing with their waste by choosing to reuse. Finally, ReUse Industries would like to thank all the local Athens area businesses that donated food to our volunteers: Big Mama’s Burritos, Sonic Drive-in, Brennan’s Coffee, Miller’s Chicken, Hungry Howie’s, Larry’s Dawg House, Taco John’s, BW3’s, Wal-Mart, Subway (The Plains), C&E Grocery, The Union Bar & Grill, Court Street Diner, Foodland (the plains), and KFC.

Pictured below: AmeriCorps*VISTA Volunteers' Joe Cennamo and Scott Britton move materials during student moveout.

ReUse Industries purchases New Truck to Haul Reusables from Campus Recycling

In May, ReUse Industries successfully completed a fundraiser to replace “Big Bird,” a 1972 international box truck that was beyond repair. ReUse Industries has affectionately named our new truck, purchased used from U-Haul, “Bobbie Cat.” Bobbie Cat’s main purpose will be to pick up materials from Campus Recycling at Ohio University. Before being picked up by ReUse Industries’ staff and driven to our ReUse center, Campus Recycling will fill the truck with reusable items of all types. ReUse Industries would like to extend a special thank you to Tiffin and Gamertsfelder Resident Halls; they worked year-round with ReUse VISTAs and staff raising funds. ReUse would also like to thank everyone that donated their time and/or money to help make reuse work.

Pictured below: "Bobbie Cat," ReUse Industries' new truck and the Resident Life Assistants that worked year long to make this goal a reality.

Summer Service AmeriCorps*Volunteers

Collaborating with two other local non-profit organizations, Rural Action and Rural Appalachian Housing Development, ReUse Industries has recruited four special summer AmeriCorps volunteers. ReUse Industries is utilizing these volunteers for a combination of projects—cleaning out our stores, helping to collect donations, and helping out with daily operations. ReUse Industries would like to thank these volunteers for giving up a summer to help the environment and economy of Southeast Ohio.

First Annual Community Yard Sale

On Saturday May 26th, ReUse Industries held the first annual yard sale at our main location in Albany. 19 different vendors sold everything from clothing to rare breeds of dogs. As a special treat Brett Laverty, from the Raccoon Creek Watershed Project, gave free canoe rides to those interested. The day was perfect to promote the reuse of materials while enjoying the scenery of Southeast Ohio.

Pictured below: ReUse Industries' First Annual Yard Sale was a great way to celebrate reusing while enjoying scenic southeast Ohio.




















ReUse Industries’ Wellston Location Now Hiring

ReUse Industries’ Wellston Thrift Store is currently hiring for one part-time position. ReUse is looking for reliable applicants with excellent customer service skills. Apply in person at:

Wellston ReUse Thrift Store
102 South Ohio Avenue
Wellston, OH
45692

ReUse Industries Recieves Grant Funding to Expand Free Pickup Service

From the Athens foundation, ReUse Industries received $2,300 in grant funding to extend our free pickup service to rural communities in Athens County. The new expanded service will mostly include special free pickup days. ReUse is grateful to receive funding to reach out to an area we have not been able to service in the past. Stay tuned for more details.
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As always, if you have any creative ReUse ideas or would like to tell us about a project you are working on please let us know. Send them in to vista@reuseindustries.org and we will include them in the next E-Newsletter.
ReUse Industries encourages you to help spread the ReUse lifestyle and wishes you a wonderful month!