Get Started with Reuse and Repair

• Reduces greenhouse gas emissions that contribute to climate change.
• Conserves water and other natural resources.
• Prevents waste before it starts.
• Reduces litter and plastic pollution in the environment.
• Saves money.
• Decreases the amount of materials disposed of as waste.
• Creates jobs through secondhand markets and new business opportunities.
• Reuse initiatives in your community help reduce greenhouse gas emissions associated with manufacturing new products. Having a reuse program is an example of one action a community can undertake on its way to becoming a certified Climate Smart Community.

• Refill bottles and reuse product containers.
• Return specially designed reusable containers in return programs to be used again.
• Use durable reusable products over single-use where possible.
• Donate and buy secondhand items and materials.
  • Donated textiles for those in need and find a textile collection location near you.
  • Furniture can also be given away, handed down to future generations and repaired if needed.
• Share, lend, and rent items.
• Utilize tool libraries for DIY projects.
• Mend broken items through repair cafes.
• Salvage valuable materials for reuse in new projects.
  • Cut up old clothes to use for cloth napkins, rags around the house or garage, and for stuffing upholstery.
  • Wrap postal packages and gifts in brown paper bags or magazines/newspapers that you're no longer using.
  • Reuse gift wrap for decorations, gifts, or line shelves and drawers with it.
  • Reuse food jars to keep bits and pieces such as screws, nails, paperclips, pins, buttons, etc. and know at a glance what's inside.

• Swap single-use for reuseable options where you can.
• Use drinking glasses and reusable straws at home rather than using single use bottles.
• Use reusable dishes over single-use. Choose durable options like glass, ceramic, and aluminum containers/dishes.
• Reuse durable emptied containers for storage for food and other items.

• Skip the stuff - Say "no thank you" to single-use when ordering prepared food and beverages. Let food service staff know if you do not need disposable utensils, condiment packets, straws, etc. before ordering.
• Prepare a "to-go" kit consisting of reusable items such as utensils, a travel mug, water bottle, and a cloth napkin.
• Use personal care products (shampoo, soap, etc.) from home when traveling by refilling smaller bottles or using package free options like bars
• Take reusable containers out to dinner, picnics, and holiday get togethers to bring home leftovers. This not only reduces use of single-use take-out containers but, reduces wasted food.
• Brew your own coffee at home and bring it with you with a reusable travel mug or bring your clean travel mug with you to the coffee shop and ask for your drink in your mug
• Remember your reusable bags for shopping and errands!

• Support businesses and products that encourage reuse.
• Support second-hand markets; buy second-hand and sell or donate used goods and materials.
• Utilize or start lending libraries or tool libraries in your community.
• Learn about local swap shops and reuse centers or start your own

• Conserves natural resources
• Reduces waste sent to landfills and other disposal facilities
• Protects the environment
• Reduces impacts to ecosystems from raw material extraction
• Reduces greenhouse gas emissions from the manufacturing of new products

Opting to repair instead of replacing an item can save money and allows you to get more value out of your purchase. You can maximize your original purchase and can support an industry that creates jobs for skilled repair technicians in your local community by: 

• Learning to repair the items you own
• Prolonging product lifespans
• Choosing to go to a local repair shop for repair services
• Purchasing electronics designed with repair potential

Find your electronics repair potential using IFixit’s repairability score

Repair initiatives like Repair Cafes bring communities together through engagement and skill-sharing. They promote a sustainable approach to fixing everyday items and provide an opportunity to learn new skills and share expertise on repairs with like-minded individuals.

• Repair initiatives in your community help reduce greenhouse gas emissions associated with manufacturing new products. Having a repair program is an example of one action a community can undertake on its way to becoming a certified Climate Smart Community.
• Repair empowers people to have fun learning new skills to repair items they own

A Repair Cafe/Event is a community-driven initiative where skilled volunteers provide guidance and expertise to help other community members repair their damaged objects. These events promote resourcefulness and prevent the disposal of items that still have value, so they do not end up as waste. The skills shared can be related to repairing clothing, electronics, appliances, and furniture. 

At Repair Events, you can bring anything broken that you can carry on your own and chances are it can be fixed. These items that can be fixed range from small electronic appliances, to clothing, bikes, toys, and more. If you want to find out if a repair specialist for a particular item will be there the day you are, make sure to contact your local Repair Initiative ahead of time. 

Find a Repair Event in NYS by using the NYS Community Repair Events Map. 

Learn how to start your own Repair Event in your community organization.

A tool library is a community library where people can borrow tools for tasks and projects that they might not have been able to do otherwise. These tools are typically acquired through donations or community membership. Tool libraries promote affordability and sustainability and enable community members to take on DIY projects. 

Find a tool lending library using the NYS Reuse Locator Map or Local Tools. Note that this is not an exhaustive list, and you may need to do more research for tool libraries in your area. 

Starting a tool library? Check out this “How to” Tool Library guide developed by the Institute for Sustainability Engagement at Syracuse University and the Tool Library Alliance to find out more. 

Effective July 1, 2023, the New York Digital Fair Repair Act (N.Y. Gen. Bus. Law 399-nn (2022)) simplifies the process for consumers to get their electronic devices repaired at independent shops or to perform repairs themselves at home. This new law grants consumers the freedom to fix their own devices and enables independent repair shops to compete with lower prices. Manufacturers operating in New York are now required to make certain documents, tools, and parts easily accessible. Previously, limited access to these components resulted in limited repair options, which led to higher prices and longer wait times. The N.Y. Gen. Bus. Law § 399-nn (2022) ensures that the tools necessary to repair specific digital electronic equipment are made available. This law applies to digital electronic equipment made or sold in New York State after July 1, 2023. Businesses that fail to adhere to the new regulations may be subject to civil penalties. 

Under the Repair Act, the Office of the Attorney General (OAG) is tasked with enforcing the new law and is authorized to investigate potential violations and take action when appropriate. Anyone who has reason to believe the Digital Fair Repair Act is being violated can file a complaint with OAG’s Consumer Frauds Bureau.

Material exchanges offer an effective way to extend the life of products. They serve as a system that allows businesses, institutions, and individuals to donate materials they no longer need, and others can receive. Participating in material exchanges helps reduce waste, promote cost savings, and enhance sustainability- helping to lower the demand for new resources.

• Check to see if your local community hosts a Buy Nothing group or a similar exchange platform. These groups, often run by volunteers, encourage members to trade or give away items at no cost. Joining one of these groups can be a great way to declutter, find useful items, and contribute to a sustainable local community.
• Many community libraries across the state offer a Library of Things. Just like borrowing books, these programs allow community members to check out items they may only need occasionally, rather than buying new. Collections often include tools, household items like small kitchen appliances, games, and outdoor gear. Each library’s collection is unique, so check with your local library to see what’s available.

Note that Library of Things differ from Tool Libraries. While some public libraries include tools as part of their Library of Things collections, tool libraries are often independent programs. Tool Libraries typically operate on an annual membership, giving community members access to a wide range of tools for home projects, gardening, and repairs.

Online platforms dedicated to material sharing are becoming more popular. These digital platforms allow users to exchange by donating and offering items, or requesting items needed. They link individuals, businesses, and institutions, creating opportunities to reuse. 

For organizations, these platforms offer a sustainable and cost-effective way of obtaining necessary equipment while promoting the reuse of existing resources. This helps to lower operational costs and fosters a culture of sustainability within organizations.

• The New York State Office of General Services (OGS) offers NYSStore: Surplus Government Property for Sale, providing the opportunity for residents to purchase state owned items for reuse.