Reducing & Reusing

A hand-written sign stapled to a wooden pole that says yard sale in all capital letters.

Reuse it or sell it!

Reducing the amount of waste that we produce is an important part of a sustainable lifestyle. But when reducing isn’t an option, buying used goods is a great alternative that will save you money and create less waste. Before buying something brand new, check out some of the resources listed below Before throwing something out, see if you might be able to sell it on a website like Nextdoor or donate it to Goodwill. See below for options to reduce your clutter and carbon footprint, and buy and sell clothing, furniture, and books.

If you’re on Yale’s campus, learn more about the efforts Yale is making to reduce and reuse materials on campus.

Reducing

If you’re considering buying something new, the first and most important question is whether you really need the item. If you’ve determined that you do need it, try to buy it used. The Reuse section below will walk you through many of the options to buy used items in New Haven.

Beyond thinking carefully about purchasing new items, there are many other ways that you can reduce waste. The list below offers a few tips. You can find more recommendations in the Food and Energy sections of this site.

  1. Say no to plastic bags wherever you go. Bring your own bag instead or carry your purchases with your hands if you’re able.
  2. Buy in bulk at the grocery store to avoid extra packaging.
  3. Bring your own mug to the coffee shop. You may even get a discount!
  4. Bring your own reusable water bottle rather than buying plastic bottles.
  5. Plan your meals and compost what you have left over.
  6. Time your showers – 5 minutes or less is best.
  7. Use dishcloths instead of paper towels.
  8. Buy clothing and other goods that are meant to last.
  9. Repair your clothing before tossing it.
  10. Cancel mail and catalogues that you don’t want. Catalogue Choice is a great resource to manage magazine subscriptions.

Reusing

Clothing and FurnitureA tall wooden book case with sweaters and shirts folded on two shelves and other miscellaneous items on the other shelves.

Do you have something that you don’t want at home? Or do you need something new? You can buy and sell used items at the following locations or websites.

  • Facebook has both Free and For Sale and Buy Nothing groups where individuals can post about items that they’re selling or giving away and others can message them to negotiate or make a deal. You can also post about items that you need and people can respond with leads.
  • Similar to Craigslist, Facebook hosts a platform called marketplace where people can narrow down by geographic area and post items that they are selling. This is not exclusive to the Yale community.
  • Check out New Haven’s Craigslist to sell and buy anything you can think of. You’ll also find lots of other announcements, job listings, etc.
  • There are many consignment stores nearby. You can find Goodwill, One Good for Another, Savers, Salvation Army, and Witch Bitch Thrift in the New Haven metro area.

Crafts

Looking for craft materials or handmade gifts? Try Ecoworks. Ecoworks “is a creative reuse center and a re-Boutique gift shop of up-cycled and re-purposed goods made by Connecticut artists run by volunteers who are passionate about the arts and hate waste.”Miscellaneous desk items like scissors, masking tape, and pens displayed neatly on a green table.

Furniture

Does your Yale office have materials that you don’t want? Printers, three-hole punches, refrigerators, sofas, etc.? Check out Eli Surplus Exchange, a website where Yale departments can post any office items that they’d like to sell or give away so that other departments don’t have to buy new materials.

Spring Salvage

Donate clothes, furniture, and other materials in Spring Salvage bins when you move out of your dormitory. Each May the Office of Sustainability organizes Spring Salvage. They place bins in every residential college where students can donate their clothes, furniture, office supplies, and other items. All donations go to Goodwill.

BooksTwo tall bookcase filled with hardcover books with different color bindings.

There’s no need to buy new books! Take advantage of both the Yale and New Haven libraries.

Grab a used book and a cup of joe from these stores:

Need to buy or sell textbooks? You’ve got some options:Three people sitting at a wooden picnic table reading books and taking notes.

Boola Books is a service organized by the Yale College Council where people submit books that they’d like to buy and books that they’re selling. The service will automatically match people with someone who is selling the book that they’re looking for.

Have books that you no longer want? Donate them to New Haven Reads, a tutoring center and community book bank in New Haven.

Not in New Haven and looking to get books? Try Thriftbooks or BetterWorldBooks.

Reduce by Reusing

Vintage shopping options are on the increase in New Haven!

The English Building Market is a treasure trove of home goods and furniture.

Elm City Emporium is a blend of old tasteful and modern artistic items.

To name a few!

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