We Have Too Much Stuff

Given the rapid rise in popularity of the KonMari Method of tidying up, it's clear many people believe they have too much stuff. With our increased time at home, people are seizing the opportunity to clean out their closets, basement and garage. While this trend is promising, we're still throwing away far more still-good items than ever before. Every year 26 billion pounds of clothing and textiles go to landfills—95 percent of which could be reused or recycled. This is especially troubling given that it can take up to 700 gallons of water to make one new cotton T-shirt—more than the average person drinks in five years—and more than 1,800 gallons of water to make one new pair of jeans. 

Of those who admitted they threw used items into the trash, almost two-thirds did so because they didn’t think any donation center would take them. But the opposite is actually true: a large percentage of used clothing, textiles or household goods sent to the landfill could be donated to local organizations to help more people and pets. 

Goods for Good

From melting ice caps to raging wild fires, the evidence of global warming is alarming. In addition, nonprofits' budgets are more stressed than ever as they step up to serve people affected by the pandemic. Giving used clothing and household goods a second life can benefit charities—providing much-needed funding, while reducing the demand for new products to ultimately save precious natural resources and lower our carbon footprint. 

Re.Use.Full to the Rescue

People want their gently used items to help those in need but need a way to find the right nonprofit to support. Re.Use.Full was inspired by repeated requests from friends looking for a new home for their gently used household items, clothes and computer equipment. They wanted to help a worthy organization but didn’t know who could put their items to good use. Having experienced firsthand the challenges nonprofit organizations face to stretch their funding and do more with less, Leslie Scott founded Re.Use.Full and embarked on creating a platform that takes “reduce, reuse, recycle” to a whole new level. Re.Use.Full was born in 2020, helping the community recover from the pandemic and creating a more environmentally friendly way to pay it forward. 

You Can Help

For the last three years, our website has connected people with gently used items to our now more than 90 charity partners, such as Goodwill, Catholic Charities, Big Brothers Big Sisters Kansas City, Great Plains SPCA and more, so donors can help them help more people and pets in the Kansas City area.

Now, we need your support to:

• Keep bringing Un-Dumpster Day events to more communities to ensure still-good stuff stays out of the landfill and gets into the hands of nonprofit organizations, schools and churches that can put it to good use
• Launch our repair cafes to help people repair instead of replace their clothing, appliances, bikes and other household items
• Create a series of upcycling workshops to educate people on how they can minimize their carbon footprint by turning materials into fun and functional projects

Together, we can do more good!

Re.Use.Full is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. EIN: 92-2435341.