Dear Friends of Reuse:
We hope all of you enjoyed the summer. Now that you're all getting back into the swing of things we wanted to remind you about ReuseConex, our second bi-annual reuse conference & expo. We hope you'll join us for this exciting event in Portland this October. And for just $195 for all sessions, meals, and several special events it is the best deal in professional development around. Look forward to seeing you there!
In this month's e-newsletter you will find information about our events and programs, plus you'll learn more about our featured member, UsedCardboardBoxes.com (Marty Metro, the CEO of UCB, is our newest board member and will be the MC of ReuseConex).
As always, we rely on our members and friends to continue spreading the word about reuse. You can show your support for the Reuse Alliance's work by renewing your membership, becoming a member or by making a tax-deductible donation today.
Thanks for your continued involvement with, and support of, the Reuse Alliance.
Sincerely,
MaryEllen Etienne
Executive Director and Founder
  
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Featured Member:
UsedCardboardBoxes.com
UsedCardboardBoxes.com (UCB) is a national logistics firm focusing exclusively on the reuse of corrugated cardboard boxes. UCB buys used boxes from the largest manufacturers, distributors and retailers in the United States, then inspects, sorts and inventories them to either be resold. They are either sold by the truckload to other large companies or they are used to make UCB's eco-friendly moving kits for consumers. Through a national network of distribution centers, these moving kits can be delivered to any address in the US, in just 1-2 days, with free shipping on all consumer orders.
Marty Metro, the founder and CEO of UCB, is also the newest member of the Reuse Alliance Board of Directors and will be the Master of Ceremonies for ReuseConex. Marty brings an interesting set of life lessons to both Reuse Alliance and ReuseConex. As a former "Big 6" consultant with an MBA, Metro left the Fortune 500 set in order to balance the need for financial returns with his passion for environmental and social responsibility. In 2002, Metro risked it all to start a chain of eco-friendly used moving box stores, but his attempt was premature, undercapitalized and riddled with logistic flaws. After 3 long years, Metro was forced to cease all operations, leaving him with an empty bank account and $300,000 of personal debt. In less than 1 year, Metro's relentless entrepreneurial drive lead him to revise the business plan and relaunch a more scalable, tech-centric model to buy and sell millions of used boxes with no retail stores through UCB. This new model has been very successful, and Marty speaks around the country to share his passion for reuse and his message of trial, error, and redemption.
Marty says, "I joined the Reuse Alliance because I finally found a national organization focused on reuse, not just recycling. We all know that reuse is better for the environment, generally requires less work, machinery, fuel, emissions, etc. However, the world has just adopted the word "recycling" a cure-all for all things green! I'm happy the world is becoming more aware of "recycling" but even happier that there is an organization dedicated to educating and communicating on the value of reuse. My company is a clear definition of the social, environmental and financial benefits of reuse, and I'm proud that my company and myself personally, are involved with Reuse Alliance." MaryEllen Etienne, Executive Director of Reuse Alliance says "Marty is a fantastic example of how entrepreneurs are earning a living while making a difference through reuse; and we're very to happy to have him join the Reuse Alliance team!
For more information about UCB and their services, please go to: usedcardboardboxes.com. To learn more about Marty and his role as ReuseConex MC, please go to: http://www.reuseconex.org/about/mc.
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Kyle Wiens of iFixit.com to
Key Note at ReuseConex!
We are thrilled to announce that Kyle Wiens, co-founder and CEO of iFixit.com, will be the key note speaker for ReuseConex. ReuseConex, being held on October 18-20, 2012 in Portland Oregon, brings together professionals and advocates from all sectors of reuse - including repair and refurbishing.
In his key note address, Kyle will discuss the importance of repair and reuse in the context of community building and sustainability. He says, "Often, a ten-minute repair is all that it takes to save something from a landfill. Although you might know how to patch a hole in a pair of jeans, maybe you don't know how to change an iPod battery. When we share repair knowledge, we all have more power over what happens to our stuff. At iFixit, we've created the world's largest online repair community, with intuitive step-by-step repair guides and a repair discussion forum. We want to unite users around repair, which is why I'm excited to share ideas with other reuse communities at ReuseConex."
Kyle will also leading a conference workshop about the possibility of expanding the iFixit community to include textiles. Their online platform could offer a great means of sharing discussions and tops tips on upcycling and repurposing your old clothes with millions of people.
Additionally, we will have a key note panel discussion that will provide us with enlightening discussion about reuse from the point of view of a sustainability consultant, a waste prevention advocate, and a policy analyst. Our panelists include:
If you would like to get involved in ReuseConex, here are a few ways to do so:
- Attend: We are currently offering an early-bird rate as low as $195. Go to our website for details.
- Sponsor: Email us for the latest "Sponsor Prospectus". We can work with all levels of in-kind and cash sponsorships. See the prospectus for details.
- Spread the Word: You and your colleagues can also help us by simply spreading the word. Feel free to forward this email to any prospective partners, and please one or both of these blurbs through your social media outlets:
- Want to be part of the one & only international reuse conference? Register for @ReuseConex. More info at reuseconex.org #reuse
To learn more about ReuseConex, go to: http://www.reuseconex.org
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Be sure to sign our
National Reuse Day Petition!
As you know by now, Reuse Alliance kicked off the first year of "National Reuse Day" on October 20, 2011; and we launched a petition to make it official.
We have nearly 500 signatures so far, but we need many more to make the politicians sit up and take notice. Would you like to help make this happen? The petition is still open -- so click here to sign our petition RIGHT NOW (it will take you less than a minute) and then pass it on!
We need YOUR HELP to spread the word!
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Upcoming Events
- ReuseConex 2012 (10/18-20/12): ReuseConex 2012, the 2nd National Reuse Conference & Expo, will be held on October 2012 at the DoubleTree in Portland, Oregon. The Reuse Alliance Portland Chapter's Steering Committee will be spearheading the event planning efforts. To get involved (planning committee, exhibit, sponsor, or attendee), please contact us at reuse...@reusealliance.org.
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Support Reuse Alliance
- Recoup - Great Deals & Awesome Causes: Reuse Alliance recently joined Recoup. Recoup is the first cause shopping channel where millions of people support causes they care about by connecting with businesses that want to do good (think Groupon with a humanitarian mission). Their innovative system empowers customers to choose which organizations they want to support, how much of their discount they want to give as a tax deductible contribution, and invite their friends to join instant fundraisers. Businesses of all sizes can support local and national causes that are relevant to their customers through sales using our single-stop shop. Click here to find out more.
- ReuseIt.com - Buy Reusables & Give Back: If you're in the need reusables for back-to-school or anytime of the year then we have win-win situation for you! Reuse Alliance is now an affiliate of ReuseIt.com! By purchasing high-quality, reusables at ReuseIt.com, you can also support the work of Reuse Alliance. By using our affiliate link below when making a purchase, they will donate a portion of the profits to Reuse Alliance. Click here to find reusables for every part of your life.
- 1% for the Planet - Contribution Plan: Reuse Alliance is now a nonprofit partner of 1% For the Planet. If your organization has a contribution plan through 1% for the Planet, then you can donate to Reuse Alliance through them. View our profile by clicking here.
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Ongoing Events & Programs
- Member-Only Bragging Rights: By having the "Reuse Alliance Member" logo on your website you can help us spread the word about reuse and the Reuse Alliance, it also shows your organization's commitment to reuse.To find out how you can obtain a Member Logo for your website, please contact MaryEllen at mary...@reusealliance.org.
- Learn More: Reuse Alliance continues to provide the reuse community with a host of interesting resources via our website. Check out our top tips for reuse, suggested reading list, and links to our discussion forums. You can read more about it by visiting the "helpful resources" page of our website.
- Community Events: All of our Chapters are beginning to hold regular meetings (in-person or via conference call). So, please contact your local Chapter if you would like to get involved, and/or if there isn't one in your state/region please think about organizing a Chapter.
- National Events: ReuseConex2012, the 2nd National Reuse Conference & Expo, which will take place in Portland, Oregon on October 18-20, 2012 at the Portland DoubleTree. Be sure to bookmark the conference website to keep up on the latest info: ReuseConex.org!
- Advocacy: We have been taking part in the creation of a National Standard for a Sustainable Resource Management Certificate Program that is being led by the Recycling Organizations of North America. We will also continue to work at the national and state level with our Board of Directors, National Committees, and Chapters Coordinators to improve awareness of reuse.
- Communications: Be sure to join the discussions on our online forum: http://groups.google.com/group/reusealliance (formerly reuseconex).
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Thanks for keeping in touch!
The Board of the Reuse Alliance
Directors:
- Chair: Harriet Taub, Materials for the Arts, Chair
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Treasurer: Ann Woodward, The Scrap Exchange
- Secretary: MaryEllen Etienne, Reuse Alliance
Members At Large:
- Joe Connell, Habitat for Humanity Portland Metro
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Lorenz Schilling, Deconstruction & Reuse Network
- Marty Metro, UsedCardboardBoxes.com
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Mary Ann Remolador, Northeast Recycling Council
- Michael Meyer, Goodwill Industries International
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Nathan Benjamin, Planet Reuse
- Stefanie Feldman, Waste Management
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Get Featured! | |
As part of our mission to promote all forms of reuse, our website includes a Featured Partners Box that allows us to put our members upfront and center.
In order to keep our Featured Partners rotating with some regularity we need your help! We need to build up a library of images and stories that highlight the many facets and applications of reuse - from creative art projects and building materials reuse to massive urban regeneration and industrial applications.
Think dynamic, creative, impressive, fun, and innovative. In short, think of all the things that makes the reuse movement so amazing!
It's easy as 1-2-3 to become a Featured Partner. To do so, please:
1) be a partner-level member in good standing;
2) submit up to four high-resolution images that best exemplify your reuse activities, and
3) provide a brief description of your organization, and what is going on in the photographs.
Please note that all photos we use will be credited / captioned, and by sending them to us, you are authorizing us to use them.
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