Reuse Minnesota: Creating Change Through Connections and Community

As I mentioned in my recent post, I'm really looking for more handshakes and less pats on the back. When it comes to reuse, it's not just about support, it's about working together to make a bigger positive impact. And last week, I spent some time with a group of people that are truly living that mentality.

Whenever I talk with people about examples of cities or states or organizations that are leading the reuse movement, the organization Reuse Minnesota always comes up. Based in Minneapolis, the organization focus on building partnerships through their vast network of reusers and their pillars of education, advocacy, and promotion.

For the past 12 years, while not in the state, I've stayed connected to the people I've met through the organization. I've been able to see their work in person and see how it has impacted the growth of reuse in the state. So, when I was originally asked to be the keynote speaker at their annual Reuse Minnesota Conference last week, I was honored.

Sharing my reuse journey at the Reuse Minnesota conference

My first experience with Reuse Minnesota was when I visited the state during my filming of The REUSE! Documentary. My friend and longtime leader in the reuse movement, MaryEllen Etienne, encouraged me to see the work that the organization was doing and connect with key player, Madalyn Cioci.

While visiting, Madalyn brought me around to various places in the area that were part of Reuse Minnesota. I was so impressed with the organization's ability to connect so many people and drive to "increase the visibility of reuse in Minnesota by highlighting the environmental, social, and economic benefits of reuse." It was a perfect fit since my goal of the documentary was to showcase the benefits of people, planet, and wallet. And it only made sense that Madalyn and I became fast friends and remained a cohort for years.

After the film was originally released in 2015, I planned a nationwide tour of film screenings. And when choosing the locations, Minnesota was obviously a must. There was a lot more reuse to see in the city and big players to connect with. This time that included meeting Julie Kearnes, upon Madalyn's suggestion. Julie's tireless efforts with reuse and her store Junket have led her to develop a new definition of and paradigm for ethical consumption. She's also just a really down to earth, funny human, which you can surely see in this clip.

In 2017, I returned to Minnesota. This time, Madalyn had recommended me as they keynote speaker for the Annual Workshop of the Minnesota Association of Recycling Managers. It was a perfect opportunity to talk about how reusing is more of a complete solution for our waste problem than recycling.

Honored to see a sign quoting me at the University of Minnesota's Reuse Program warehouse.

It was at this event that I met Emily Barker, who is now the Executive Director of Reuse Minnesota. And for this event, I decided this was a great time to launch a Minnesota themed T-REUSE! T-Shirt as a way members of the reuse community could promote their hard work. And as you can see by this photo and that the shirt has sold out of two printings, the response was great.

A group at the Conference of the Minnesota Association of Recycling Managers. They get it.

I definitely had to connect with Julie at Junket on this trip too.

After 2017, there was an obvious change in traveling for my work between sticking around the Northeast for events with The Reuse Box Truck and the pandemic. But in 2021, I did team up with fellow T-Shirt upcycler, Ian Landberg. Our brands joined forces for a STAY VOCAL / Dye MN limited T-Shirt release. You know, I am now realizing that Dye MN is not a member of Reuse Minnesota. And well, that makes no sense. So, I hope both Emily and Ian are reading this and they connect. 🤝

Some of the DYE MN / STAY VOCAL creations.

OK, back to where we are now. Well, back to last week at least. My trip to Minnesota was pretty dang fantastic. I saw many familiar faces, met a lot of online connections in real life for the first time and met a whole slew of passionate reusers for the first time. With a packed room of people focused on educating, advocating, and promoting reuse, Reuse Minnesota's Annual Conference was a perfect opportunity to premiere my new talk about Reuse & Responsibility.

Wearing my Dad's Army shirt and sharing my hour-long journey of my reuse life at the Reuse Minnesota Annual Conference. My coffee was fortunately well within reach.

In addition to speaking at the conference, I was also an exhibitor with an Escape The Waste Booth. We were promoting not only our educational reuse events, but also STAY VOCAL clothing and the numerous collaborations with artists, brands, and organizations. And very conveniently, the STAY VOCAL sewing mastermind who is Carly Carte lives in Minneapolis now. She was able to join me and not only run the booth, but she also made some unique 1 of a kind Minnesota themed pieces. Thank you Carly!

The Escape The Waste Booth at the Reuse Minnesota Annual Conference and two happy Minnesota reusers.

Now, going all the way to Minnesota, I wanted to make the most of the time that I spent there and make as many connections as possible. On my second day there, Reuse Minnesota hosted a screening of REUSE! Because You Can't Recycle The Planet. at the ginormous Minneapolis Central Library. And it was a great reuse reunion as Madalyn showed up (who works in another field now), along with Julie and Emily.

And when I had asked Emily if there was somewhere cool that I could do a casual pop up shop before the screening, she had the perfect place in the organization's network. Pilllar is a coffee shop that is also a skateboard shop and music venue with a very robust reuse cup program and they serve vegan hot dogs. I didn't know such a place could exist, with so many of passions and favorite things.

Cory Bracken, the owner and founder of Pillar, and fellow coffee loving skateboarder and reuser.

Lastly, I would be remiss if I didn't mention my great host & tour guide while I was in Minneapolis: Margo Ashmore. And she's not only the current president of the Reuse Minnesota Board, she's also a reuser. Margo is currently part of this amazing Mystery Trash Remix event and took me to the Flux Arts Building to see her work and numerous others. And after seeing photos of the building in it's former dilapidated life, it's no wonder they're showcasing an event focused on turning trash into art. And as you can see by a couple favorites below, it's amazing what different artists can do with very similar items.

Two of the pieces in the Mystery Trash Remix Event

Margo in front of her house: "The Owl House." See it?

As I reflect on my trip last week and think about what I saw and what I heard, it was more evident than ever that reuse is so abundant in Minnesota as a direct result of Reuse Minnesota's work. The majority of people in Minnesota understand the benefits of reuse. Reuse is a part of policy-making in the state. And reuse is truly just a normal thing for people. These changes that are happening in Minnesota are a result of the reuse community working together and focusing on their education, advocacy and promotion.

What's happening in Minnesota with reuse is an example of what can and needs to happen around the country and the world. This is why I always reference Reuse Minnesota when people are looking for examples of reuse in action. And that's why I've stayed connected with the organization and the people that I've met.

I look forward to heading back to Minnesota sometime in the not too distant future. There is so much reuse work that I'd like to see and be a part of in the state. And I always look forward to bringing my own version of reuse edutainment into the mix.

See you sometime soon, Minnesota.

P.S. It just made complete sense that when I injured my foot while there and needed to find a pair of slippers, Margo knew the perfect thrift store. Sure enough, there was a pair in my size, even with the tags still on them. (Injury and slipper photos aren't needed, even for a Halloween post. Yikes!)