About

A Community ReUse Center (CRC) is a model developed by Finger Lakes ReUse to transform waste into jobs, economic growth, and affordable resources. By giving reusable items a second life, CRCs generate revenue, reduce pollution, and provide essential goods to individuals and families looking to save money and/or facing financial hardship. More than just recycling, reuse is about economic opportunity and empowerment—building confidence in individuals and developing stronger, more sustainable communities, one salvaged item at a time.

Everyone Can Benefit from a
Community ReUse Center

Price-sensitive consumers. Your houseful of teens is interested in playing tennis, video gaming and repairing and building stuff. Brand new racquets, computers and tools are, collectively, an expensive purchase for teenagers whose tastes may change. But at Community ReUse Centers, they’re a fraction of the cost. Materials sold by CRCs are primarily collected through donations, so we are able to pass on affordable prices to the customer. The general rule of thumb is to keep prices at 50 percent or less of what an item might cost if purchased new.

Homeowners doing renovations. Are you renovating your kitchen? To stay within budget and reduce waste, visiting your local Community ReUse Center can yield a beautiful set of cabinets and a gently used dishwasher, all at costs lower than buying new. At the same time, the careful removal of your existing cabinets and appliances means that instead of ending up in a landfill, the salvaged materials come to the Community ReUse Center, where they will be resold to others in need. You may even receive a tax deduction for the donation, helping to offset renovation costs.

Apartment renters preparing to move. As you prepare to move to a new apartment, you sort through your belongings and find items you no longer need—a box of vinyl records, a coat rack, a toy robot, and a filing cabinet. Rather than throwing them away, donate them to your local Community ReUse Center, where they are inventoried, cleaned or repaired if necessary, and resold at affordable prices. You’ll receive a donation receipt for a tax write-off – and you will probably find a vacuum to help clean your old apartment before moving out. Meanwhile, your items have found new homes: a local DJ picks up the records, a preschool classroom gets the coat rack, an engineering student repurposes the toy robot, and a small business finds the perfect filing cabinet. A simple act of reuse benefits multiple people while keeping valuable materials out of the landfill.

A senior downsizing. As you move to a smaller home, you realize you have complete sets of furniture – a matching bedroom set, a dining table and chairs -- along with artwork, appliances, collectibles, tools, and kitchen utensils that you no longer need or want. Donating them to your local Community Reuse Center means that a young family moving into their first house has access to furniture that is higher in quality and less expensive than new items they would find available elsewhere.

FAQs

Does my community need a Community ReUse Center?

Yes! Every community generates reusable materials that too often end up in landfills. Even if there are existing reuse programs -- such as thrift stores for clothing or secondhand bookstores in your area—it’s likely that many valuable materials, like computers, clothes or construction supplies, are still being discarded, even though many of your neighbors could use affordable access to materials. A CRC provides a convenient way to divert reusable goods from the waste stream, making it easier for people to donate rather than discard. The result? Fewer items in landfills, more affordable goods for the community, job creation, and increased local tax revenue.

Why start a Community ReUse Center?

Community ReUse Centers offer a win-win solution for both people and the planet. They:

Reduce waste by keeping valuable materials out of landfills.
Provide affordable goods for individuals and families with limited financial resources.
Create living wage jobs and strengthen the local economy.
Encourage sustainable habits by raising awareness about consumption and waste.

These benefits don’t happen on their own—someone has to take the first step. Why not you?

How can I start a Community ReUse Center in my area?

We’re so glad you asked! This website and the ReTAP initiative is designed to guide you through the process of building a business plan for a Community ReUse Center. Whether you're just exploring the idea or ready to take action, ReTAP provides the tools and resources to help you bring reuse to your community. Let’s get started!

Get Started