Reuse - it's better than recycling!
Examples of various programs that try to match those who want to discard items and those who would like to receive or buy those items include:
California Materials Exchange (CALMAX)
CALMAX is a free service sponsored by the California Integrated Waste Management Board to advertise materials that can be bought, sold or given away. It is designed to help businesses find markets for materials they have traditionally discarded. For a free catalog, call 1-877-520-9703 or go to www.calmax.org.
UC Davis Bargain Barn
The Bargain Barn sells excess and surplus equipment to campus departments and to the public. Call 752-2145 for a price list. The Bargain Barn is open Monday-Thursday 8:15 A.M. to 11:30 A.M. and Friday 8:15 A.M. to 1:00 P.M.
Internet Newsgroups
Post items you would like to sell or give away at no cost. Using an internet browser, type inside the address box: news:ucd.swap or news:sac.swap. Or post at: www.sacramento.craigslist.org or www.freecycle.org.
Check out the California Materials Exchange 1-877-520-9703
Davis Enterprise
www.davisenterprise.com
Items can be listed in the “free section" for 3 days at no cost.
Thrift Stores
Local thrift stores are an excellent place to donate a wide variety of reusable goods. Check out our Recyclopedia to see what items each store will accept. Please call individual stores to verify drop-off times and locations as well as if they can currently accept the items you wish to donate.
- R & R Thrift 1640 E 8th Street, Davis (530) 759-9648
- Yolo County SPCA 920 3rd St., Davis 758-0544
- Yolo Hospice Thrift Shoppe 607 Main St., Woodland 668-1599
- Goodwill Store 120 Main Street, Woodland 668-8249
- Salvation Army Thrift Store 438 College St., Woodland 662-6129
- Thrift Store Outlet 106 W. Main St., Woodland 669-6988
Reusable Products Days:
Many times residents turn in items at the household hazardous waste drop-off days that are still usable.
Come to the Yolo County Central Landfill during a household hazardous waste drop-off days to get free reusable household products like paints, cleaners, etc. Call the landfill (666-8729) for more information.
Other Reuse Ideas:
- When possible, mend clothes and repair worn shoes, boots, handbags.
- Buy reusable products and avoid single-use items.
- Reuse bags, containers, paper, boxes and other items.
- Reuse paper and plastic bags and twist ties. You might keep a supply of bags or boxes in your car to reuse on your next shopping trip.
- If you buy only one or two items and did not bring your own bag, carry your purchases without a bag.
- Take advantage of offers by grocery stores that provide a cash credit for reusing their grocery bags.
- Reuse scrap paper. Staple together sheets of scrap paper to make note pads and shopping lists.
- Use both sides of a piece of paper before recycling it.
- Save and reuse gift boxes, ribbons, tissue paper and larger pieces of wrapping paper.
- Reuse newspaper, polystyrene peanuts and "blister-wrap" to ship your next fragile package. Use brown paper bags to wrap parcels.
- Borrow, rent or share things you use infrequently.
- Share newspapers and magazines. Bring them to work or offer them to your doctor's office.
- Donate or resell items to thrift stores or organizations in need.