Reuse is the second best of the 5 R's—if you can reuse your waste, it is no longer considered waste! Giving away old clothes and other unwanted items to charities and thrift stores keeps good items out of the trash and can save you money. Why pay extra to dump good usable items when you can donate them for free? You can also save money by purchasing reused items. You can get a bookshelf at a thrift shop for $10 that you would pay $40 for at a retail store!

Reuse - it's better than recycling!

Reuse Ideas for individuals:

• When possible, mend clothes and repair worn shoes, boots, handbags.
• Buy reusable products and avoid single-use items.
• Borrow books from your library instead of buying new.  
• Reuse bags, containers, paper, boxes and other items.
• Reuse paper and plastic bags and twist ties. You might keep a supply of bags or boxes in your car to reuse on your next shopping trip.
• If you buy only one or two items and did not bring your own bag, carry your purchases without a bag.
• Take advantage of offers by grocery stores that provide a cash credit for reusing their grocery bags.
• Reuse scrap paper. Staple together sheets of scrap paper to make note pads and shopping lists.
• Save and reuse gift boxes, ribbons, tissue paper and larger pieces of wrapping paper.
• Reuse newspaper, polystyrene peanuts and "blister-wrap" to ship your next fragile package. Use brown paper bags to wrap parcels. If you have more than you need, you can bring it to a packing/shipping store for reuse. Call ahead to confirm whether they can currently accept the materials that you have.
• Borrow, rent or share things you use infrequently. Check your local library for shared check-out items. 
• Share newspapers and magazines. Bring them to work or offer them to your doctor's office.
• Donate or resell items to thrift stores or organizations in need (see below for more detail).

Annual Garage Sale

Garage sales are an excellent way to find a reuse for items you no longer need and to buy previously owned items instead of brand new. Reuse is a very important member of the 4 R’s (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, Rebuy). 

The Annual Garage Sale occurs every year in September. Learn more at cupertino.org/garagesale.

Thrift Stores 

Local thrift stores usually accept a wide variety of reusable goods. 

Please call individual stores to verify drop-off times and locations as well as if they can currently accept your specific items.

Furniture and clothes should be clean without tears and stains.

Electronics and appliances should be working and in good condition.

Internet Resale Stores 

Post items online that you would like to sell or give away. Shopping second hand is a great way to save money and reduce landfilled waste.

• Facebook has an online MarketPlace. Additionally, there are a number of local Facebook groups where you can post items to sell or give away such as BuyNothing
• sfbay.craigslist.org/sby/
• FreeCycle.org
• OfferUp.com
• PoshMark

There are many many other online resale platforms. 

Fix-it Clinics (also known as repair clinics)

Repairing appliances or electronics is one of the best ways to extend the life of your items, reduce your waste, and save money. 

Online tutorials are available to learn how to repair most items yourself. If you d not have the tools or experience to repair broken items, search for a fix-it clinic or repair shop near you. 

Maker Nexus is a community makerspace in Sunnyvale where you can use the arts and sciences to build or repair anything.