Summer is a great time to think about sustainability, reuse, and giving new life to old items. Earlier this month, New Brighton ReStore Manager Jan Hagerman stopped by the WCCO studios for their DIY Friday segment to share how ReStore gets creative with some of the unique donations that come through our doors.
Sustainability is at the heart of ReStore's mission. Every year, our three Twin Cities locations in Brooklyn Park, Minneapolis, and New Brighton keep more than six million pounds of reusable materials out of the waste stream. Whether we're selling donated items, recycling materials, or finding creative new uses for unexpected donations, we're always looking for ways to reduce waste and maximize impact.
ReStore often partners with businesses that need to clear out inventory or surplus materials. If an item isn't something ReStore can sell, we don't simply throw it away—we work with other nonprofit partners who may be able to use it. And sometimes, we get a little creative.
For example, what do you do with 3,000 Swiffer pads?
Jan turned about 20 of them into a soft, reusable bathmat. "We have to think outside the box," Jan says. "There is no box!"
That same creative mindset applies to furniture, too. Maybe you inherited Grandma's china hutch, but you don't need a china hutch. Instead of sending it to the landfill, you could turn it into a lighted curio cabinet. Think about how items can be transformed into something new that fits your home and lifestyle.
One of Jan's favorite ways to spark creativity is simply walking through ReStore. You never know what idea you'll discover by looking at an item from a different perspective.
Have your own creative upcycling idea? Stop by the New Brighton ReStore and share it with Jan—we'd love to see what you come up with!
Watch Jan's full DIY Friday segment here: