Putting Values into Action: Melissa’s Reuse Story

Guest blog by Melissa Wenzel, Built Environment Sustainability Administrator at the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency

I grew up with a value system of reuse, repair, and recycling. While I didn’t exactly know what I wanted to study in college, I knew I wanted to make sure our community and world could enjoy and love nature as much as I did. Because I love learning about many things and getting involved in various opportunities, I obtained a generic degree: a Bachelor of Science in environmental education from the University of Minnesota. Ironically, I don’t like teaching or public speaking, but I have found a passion in developing ways to influence positive environmental change. As the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency’s Built Environment Sustainability Administrator, I get to do this every day.

For the last four years, my day job connects me with people and organizations across the state that have a deliberate focus to build a better, more sustainable environment. Whether supporting the adaptive reuse of entire buildings, deconstructing or unbuilding buildings so their parts can be reused, or lifting up reuse centers, I get to live my values every day at work!

When I became a homeowner in 2017, I quickly realized how expensive tools, furniture, and building materials were. Being able to source used items at a fraction of the cost of buying new felt both fiscally and environmentally satisfying. Not only is this a way to save money—it often gives me unique style that matches my home. For example, thanks to Lumberstash and their recommended contractor, I had a new fence made with used wood. The old chain link fence was brought to a metal recycler. Not only did I save an estimated 30% with using used cedar lumber, I have a success story dedicated to deconstruction and reuse of used building materials. (My friends and colleagues are now considering custom-built used fences, too.)

Also, thanks to my day job, I got to know staff at both the Minneapolis and New Brighton ReStores. I learned that both stores accept more types of items than I expected—and that they are a significant contributor to our reuse system by accepting used items for redistribution. In fact, in 2022, 4.6 million pounds of materials were kept from going to landfills!

For my birthday in February 2020, I decided I wanted to help with the New Brighton ReStore’s building expansion. They spent several months remodeling the building, which allowed them to expand their sales floor. I learned how to deconstruct fluorescent ceiling lights so the bulbs could get reused or recycled. I also separated ballasts from the lighting frame to be recycled. I painted trim—which came straight from the sales floor—for installation later. I had friends and family with me, and we had a fun day giving back to an organization that gives back to the community every day.

Melissa and friends volunteering at ReStore for her birthday in 2020.

It's easy to live a fairly sustainable lifestyle when we have places like ReStore providing awesome opportunities to buy used, unique, and affordable household items, tools, and building materials! Statewide, there are 19 ReStores (and five of them aren’t far from the Minnesota border in other states). Combined with all of the other reuse retailers out there, it really is easy being green!

PS: Recently, I took a couple of days off and went to LaCrosse, WI. One of the first things I did was check out their local ReStore!