Intro To Reuse

Reuse creates jobs, provides affordable goods to the community, and extends the life of the landfill, saving tax dollars.

Reuse is proven. Communities similar to Cortland across the country have leveraged reuse strategies and realized the benefits. As of 2021, Finger Lakes ReUse in Tompkins County has created 72 jobs at “Living Wage” with benefits, while offering unbeatable values at two thriving retail stores in Ithaca. Dollars spent at local retailers such as these have a “multiplier effect.” According to South Dakota Rural Enterprise, Inc., spending $1 locally generates $5 to $14 in the immediate area.

Reuse has significant growth potential in Cortland County. According to the most recent data we have, our waste diversion rate – how good we are at diverting waste from landfill – is under 10%. Our neighbors in Onondaga and Tompkins Counties both have achieved rates over 50%, showing that further diversion is possible.

Reuse will contribute to Cortland’s transition from a manufacturing-based economy to a revitalized community. At their April 2019 session, the legislature adopted a resolution to make Cortland County an Opportunity Community, taking proactive steps to break the area’s cycle of poverty. Reuse complements current projects like the Main Street revitalization, the Clinton Avenue corridor (Gateway Project), and other efforts designed to stimulate economic growth. And, reuse can be done now, with lower capital investment.

Reuse encourages responsibility, respect for community and environment, and invites civic pride and participation. Besides creating jobs and making available affordable goods, this initiative will offer activities with which community members can participate, such as a fixers collective.

Cortland ReUse is being developed as a nonprofit organization, which is consistent with other successful models across the nation. This reuse operation is planned to be self-sufficient, supporting job creation with retail sales and other services. We believe this facilitates diverse collaboration and invites community trust and involvement with familiar controls like transparent finances and a local board.

Why Reuse?

  • Reuse is an efficient, economical way to manage materials. By accepting and reselling items that still have life, a retail operation can:
  • Create jobs and offer training
  • Make available a supply of quality, low-cost goods and materials
  • Build community and address the needs of residents
  • Support existing programs and initiatives by partnering and avoiding duplication of services
  • Offer a cost avoidance to generators who would otherwise pay to dispose items in the landfill
  • Reduce environmental footprint and raise awareness of environmental considerations
  • Conserve resources and energy
  • Divert materials from the landfill, extending the life of a finite resource in Cortland County
  • Generate revenue – Finger Lakes ReUse generates $2,500-3,500 in revenue for every ton recovered, compared to a $90 cost for tipping at their transfer station
  • Support the local economy
  • Assist the County in addressing Planning Strategy 4 of the 2014 Local Solid Waste Management Plan: Product Reuse Collection and Distribution Programs. Elements of this strategy include supporting existing reuse operations and encouraging the development of additional reuse centers, with support from the County’s economic development partners.

Gathering Community Feedback
To avoid duplication of efforts while creating an entity that best serves the area, a first step in this project was to conduct research. By reaching out to the community, the team explored questions such as:

  • What other efforts are taking place in the county to support reuse? And what types of materials are currently available for reuse locally?
  • What materials are being generated that could be diverted to reuse?
  • What type of materials is there a demand or need for in the local market?
  • What organizations are currently practicing reuse?
  • What organizations or entities exist that may be partners in this effort?

Planners have held one-on-one meetings with local stakeholders and conducted surveys to gather this information. A community meeting took place October 2. Through this work the planning committee has gauged community interest, identified potential partners, and gathered feedback to inform the next steps in business development.

Contact
Individuals interested in learning more or partnering on this project can contact CortlandReUse@gmail.com. To keep informed, please sign-up for the mailing list.

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