ReUSE/REPURPOSE
By reusing products and packaging, it prolongs the useful life of materials, thus delaying final disposal or recycling. Repairing, refurbishing, washing, or recovering older products, appliances, furniture, and building materials saves natural resources and money while giving the products a new life. A few ideas include:
- Reuse food containers, ziplock bags, and aluminum foil. If not recycling your margarine tub, then reuse to send your leftovers home with guests.
- Donate to and shop at thrift stores. Also check out garage sales, estate sales and flea markets. Don’t feel bad about regifting – it’s environmentally friendly.
- Use the back side of paper. You’ll get twice as much paper for your money, and save some trees.
The important thing to consider when you want to reuse is that creativity is king. Creativity also provides the opportunity to be thrifty by reusing what you already have for new, innovative purposes.
LARGE SCALE CLEAN OUTS / MOVE–IN / MOVE–OUT
If you are cleaning out an estate, or if you have items you are looking to get rid of during move-in or move-out, consider their reusable value before tossing them in the garbage. There is a variety of local companies willing to assist with cleanout services and many with sustainability in mind!
1-800-Got-Junk – Detroit
They are a full-service junk removal company, accepting most materials such as furniture, appliances, electronics, tires, construction debris, and yard waste.
College HUNKS Hauling Junk & Moving – Detroit
Many items picked up by this company are recycled or donated. Visit their website to see the items they can take.
Junk in the Trunk – Grand Ledge
Their mission is to save as much from landfills as possible during cleanouts. They travel anywhere in Michigan.
Two Men and a Truck – Farmington Hills
They will donate items that they pick up if they are in good condition. They can also remove scrap metal, yard waste, and construction debris. View other nearby locations on their website.
Donation Centers
Here is a list of local charitable organizations to donate your gently used items:
Baldwin Center – Pontiac
A safe haven in Pontiac that provides clothing among other items for homeless and low-income people in Pontiac
Church of the Holy Family Clothes Closet – Novi
Christian Service Ministry that provides clothing assistance plus other services to low income families, regardless of faith background, in Novi and surrounding areas.
Community Sharing Outreach Center – Highland
A non-profit organization that helps the recently unemployed, working poor, families in poverty, low income seniors and those with disabilities.
Encore Upscale Retail – Southfield
29080 Southfield Rd, NE corner of 12 Mile and Southfield
(248) 552-1555
Canton (between Haggerty & Lilley)
41937 Ford Road
(734) 981-1692
Dearborn (corner of Michigan & Military)
22451 Michigan Avenue
(313) 228-5927
Commerce Township (off Haggerty, north of 15, in front of Meijer)
3281 Crumb Road
(248) 859-5927
Woodhaven (West & Allen Roads – in front of Meijer)
20080 West Road
(734) 301-3902
Livonia (96 & Middlebelt – in front of Menards)
12651 Middlebelt Road
(734) 245-0115
Purple Heart – serving Oakland County
Free pick-up of clothing and household items that can be picked up by one person. ie, no heavy furniture.
Salvation Army – Southfield
26235 Greenfield Rd (south of 11 Mile)
(248) 552-9585 or 1-800-SA-TRUCK (1-800-728-7825)
St. Vincent de Paul – Free in-home pickup of gently used household items
(313) 393-2930 or 1-877-ST-VINCE (1-877-788-4623)
Detroit (Van Elslander Center)
3000 Gratiot Avenue
(313) 393-2870
Madison Heights
28720 Stephenson Highway
(248) 206-5644
Waterford
5395 Dixie Highway
(248) 623-2780
The Furniture Bank – serving Oakland County
(248) 332–1300
Vietnam Vets – serving Oakland County
Free pick-up of clothing, household items, and small furniture.