We’re back at it again with Reuse-a-Palooza at The Plant, a semiannual event that provides opportunities to repair clothing and household items, safely dispose tricky-to-recycle items, and donate small furnishings, gently used books, and more, all the while bringing attention to strategies to reduce waste and improve environmental conditions. We’ll be joined by an amazing group of waste-reduction and repurposing enthusiasts focusing on approaches to purchasing and consumption that make good sense economically, environmentally, and socially.

Bring in beloved but broken household items and worn clothing for Community Glue’s repair fair and help New Life Centers stuff their truck with chairs, tables, and kitchenware for migrant families getting placed in housing. Get crafty with Bliss Joy Bull’s mending meetup to hone those DIY sewing chops or Creative Chicago Reuse Exchange’s Imagination Station to make a Recyclo-Pouch. And special for Halloween, we’ll be holding a costume swap: bring yours from last year, and try out one that’s new to you! Weird & wacky accessories, nail polish, and unused makeup are all welcomed for the exchange.

We will be offering a tour of The Plant at 2pm sharp — advance tickets are strongly suggested and may be purchased here. Stick around afterward to discuss your sustainability resolutions in Whiner’s taproom — they’ll be open til 8pm — with a variety of eats from Heffer BBQ and special guest Libby’s Corner.

Even if you’ve come to Reuse-a-Palooza before, PLEASE check the lists of accepted items below! Our collection is a little different each time, so we’d like to help you avoid showing up with your arms full of items that aren’t being accepted.

Reduce Waste Chicago will be collecting an abbreviated list of accepted items, only as listed here.
And here’s an overview of other items we’ll be accepting for donation / repurposing / recycling (and where these items will go):
- Beer carriers, both cardboard (Made by Q) and plastic snap-on Pak Tech carriers (Whiner)
- Bicycles and old bike tire tubes (Working Bikes and Bikes ‘n Roses)
- Books, games, and puzzles, gently used (Back of the Yards branch of the Chicago Public Library)
- Chairs and small tables (New Life Centers)
- Computers and old technology, only as listed here (PCs for People)
- Contact lens cases and packaging, any brand (TerraCycle)
- Crayons, any brand/condition (SCARCE, Crayon Initiative)
- Dental product packaging, such as toothpaste tubes/caps, toothbrushes, floss containers; any brand (TerraCycle)
- Deodorant containers & caps, any brand (TerraCycle)
- Eyeglasses, usable; no sunglasses or cases (Lions Club, OneSight)
- Face masks, disposable only (TerraCycle)
- Gym shoes past their useful life (GotSneakers)
- Jars, wide-mouth Ball or Kerr jars & lids (Tinyshop)
- Keys, metal only; no key chains (sold as scrap)
- Kitchenware such as pots, pans, cups, plates, utensils, etc. for migrant families (New Life Centers)
- Office, art, and school supplies, and similar materials per the Creative Chicago Reuse Exchange’s Most Wanted list
- Packing materials, only as listed here (EcoShip)
- Plastic pots from Lush Cosmetics, black only (Tinyshop)
- Towels and sheets, to keep the sweet canines and felines cozy while they await their forever homes; pet supplies and food as listed on this wish list are also greatly appreciated (PAWS Chicago)
- Yarn, fabric scraps or rags, and clothing beyond repair to be used for crafting (Envision Unlimited)

We also appreciate donations of the following new, in-package items to share with our neighbors:

- Food, fresh, unexpired food for humans and pets! (Love Fridge; see donation guidelines here)
- Personal care and household products, such as soap, shampoo, toothpaste, etc. (Back of the Yards branch of the Chicago Public Library, which houses a cart for folks to take what they need)

Interested in helping out, or know someone who might be? High school students and adults are welcome to come volunteer, and our partner organizations are able to sign off on community service hours. Sign up here!