ReuseFest 2012!

By:  Stephanie Benney

Are you struggling with all of those yard sell rejects?  You know, that eagle chime clock that Aunt Minnie bought you seven Christmas’ ago?  Or how about the shot glass and ashtray collection you’ve been holding onto since college?  Perhaps all of those holiday cookie cutter molds you never use anymore could help someone else become the next Betty Crocker or Martha Stewart?

Let’s take the other side of the situation for a minute.  Are you what they call a “starving artist”?  Do you struggle to make ends meet and still have to factor in funds to purchase expensive art materials?  Wouldn’t it be great to have a huge selection of gently used materials to pick from? Or, maybe you are just into taking obscure, used objects and turning them into something with a greater purpose(insert shot glass/ashtray collection here).

Whatever your situation may be, wouldn’t it be great to donate all of your unwanted, rejected goods to more than one non-profit organization in one stop?!

As you may know, part of the definition of sustainability is  supporting your local economy.  Luckily for you, there’s an opportunity to do just that this Saturday, August 11th from 10am – 2pm.

Pittsburgh ReuseFest 2012 is being presented by Pennsylvania Resources Council.  The Pennsylvania Resources Council is a grassroots organization that started it’s efforts in 1939.  It’s one of Pennsylvania’s oldest citizen action environmental organizations.  ” Recognized as a state and national leader in waste reduction and recycling, the remainder of PRC’s work focuses on litter and visual blight prevention, watershed awareness, and composting.  The strength of PRC’s programs is derived from its continuing efforts to bring people, businesses, and government together to prevent and solve environmental problems.  PRC has offices in Pittsburgh at the CCI Center and in eastern Pennsylvania at the Environmental Living Demonstration Center in Ridley Creek State Park, Delaware County.”  www.prc.org

Pittsburgh ReuseFest  is a public event taking place at the parking lot at 26th and Sidney Streets at the South Side Works.  It’s a one-stop, drop-off event and the first of it’s kind!  Eight local non-profit organization will be there to accept your gently used items for reuse purposes.  Some of the items being accepted are pet carriers, books, housewares, school supplies, arts and crafts supplies, bikes, furniture and clothing.  Remember, these items are to be gently used, so think more along the lines of,  ” I wore this once and don’t care for it.  It would look better on someone with a longer torso.” and less “Was this shirt white?”  For a full list of materials collected, please visit www.zerowastepgh.org

Grabbing up your goods will be:  Global Links, Construction Junction, Animal Rescue League, Pittsburgh Tote Bag Project, Pittsburgh Center for Creative Reuse, Free Ride, Off the Floor Pittsburgh and Goodwill.

If you don’t have anything to donate or you cannot attend, you can always help out by tweeting or facebooking the event.  #PghReuseFest , @SouthSideWorks, www.zerowastepgh.org/reuse/

Lead Sponsor – The Sprout Fund

Supporting Sponsors – Tides and Google

Media Sponsor – KDKA NewsRadio 1020

ReuseFest Contact – Sarah Alessio Shea 412.488.7490 ext. 236

email sarah@ccicenter.org

Saturday August 11th

10am-2pm

Parking lot at 26th and Sidney Streets

South Side Works

Pittsburgh, PA 15203

Logo credit to www.zerowastepgh.org

Stephanie Benney is a “Sustainable Visionary” and also the new Pittsburgh Representative for Fuzed Marketing, where she helps companies increase their brand presence. stephaniebenney@yahoo.com