Be Resourceful

Did you know that many businesses in Flagstaff will allow you to use your own bottle, mugs, jars, and other reusable containers when you're on the go? 

To help inspire you, we've asked everyone from the Sustainability Staff to showcase their favorite reusable items to help reduce waste in the landfill and help meet our Rethink Waste goals.

Check out our list here.

Make sure your unwanted items get another life. Donate your items to one of the many businesses and organizations that accept them for reuse.

• Find a list of options for donating or reselling your items responsibly here.

With simple planning and creative thinking, there are many ways to buy smart and still get what you need.

• Planning before you head out to the store - for groceries, clothes or gifts by making a list and sticking to it.

• Choose quality, durable products rather than disposable items.

• Think outside the gift box. Gifts of experiences (rather than stuff) offer loved ones a chance for a memorable outing, and removes the potential for pressure to find room for something they may not need.

Fixing and maintaining items empower and educate people to look more closely at the goods they own or buy. 

• Choose items for durability and reparability as it extends the life of your stuff, saving you money while reducing waste.

• Join a local maker space to repair and build items such as the Coco-op.

• Take a how-to class or watch online tutorials to improve your sewing, bike or home repair skills quickly.

• Visit a community resource, such as a Fix-it Clinic or local repair shop.

When we share more, we also consume less. And by doing so, we reduce our clutter and free up space. Sharing can be as simple and helps build community by fostering connections with neighbors and friends.

• Organize a clothing or household item swap with friends.

• Coordinate with neighbors to create a shared book or tool library.

• Sign up for a local co-op organization for shared working space, tools, or materials.

• Check out the Flagstaff Public Library’s “Library of Things”.

Upcycled or repurposed, second hand, salvage and vintage - all of these words essentially mean reuse, and doing so can save you money and space and avoid waste.

• Many items can easily be found at second-hand stores. With a little creativity or help from a tailor, cobbler or handyperson, you may be able to turn your give-away pile into usable goods (and then donate what's left).

• Explore Flagstaff's second-hand stores to find new-to-you clothing, furniture, electronics, household or craft items, salvage building materials and more.

Find a list of reuse options linked here.