Turn Trash into Treasure

Reconsidered Goods

2805 Patterson St. www.reconsideredgoods.org

At Reconsidered Goods, discarded items become new again with a little creativity from customers.

The nonprofit — which includes a retail store, workshop space, maker’s lab and community room — hosts workshops that teach people how to reuse items that might typically be thrown in the trash.

Fabric scraps become garland. Mason jars are made into vases. Weathered art is added to and painted over.

It’s all part of Co-Founders Paige Cox and Martha Hughes-James’ mission to divert reusable items from landfills.

For the month of May, Reconsidered Goods was able to divert 9.9 million tons of materials.

The first Wednesday and Sunday of each month, a “Make It” workshop walks participants through a Pinterest-inspired craft.

Also once a month, Reconsidered Goods partners with a local brewery or restaurant for a more casual experience people can enjoy with friends. During the summer, the in-store maker’s lab is open every day.

“It’s $5 a maker,” Cox said. “It’s a great place to come bring kids on a rainy day.”

During the school year, Education Director Laura Maruzzella spends time in local schools talking with kids about the importance of recycling and upcycling.

If the store can’t use a donation, Cox said she finds another local nonprofit that can. Frequent beneficiaries are the Teacher Supply Warehouse, Goodwill, Freedom House and area animal shelters.

The retail store is a great place to find one-of-a-kind items. Cox said it’s also an opportunity to slow down and do a different kind of shopping.

“People just take their time and they might not be looking for anything but having a good time looking, which you don’t really do much in retail stores anymore,” she said. “There’s so many stories behind the things in here.”