Since 1990, MCSWMD has implemented recycling programs, household hazardous waste collection programs, and operates the county landfill.  The mainly rural district has been successful in implementing a wide variety of waste management programs, and offers an example of how local governments can add reuse components to existing solid waste management programming.

Building Materials Reuse: MCSWMD looked at the amount of still usable building materials that were being dumped at the county landfill, and found an alternative.  They created the Used Building Material Exchange Barn at the county landfill to provide local contractors and do-it-yourselfers a place to drop off still usable construction materials.  The materials are still subject to the landfill tipping fee, however many contractors would just as soon take materials to the dedicated, 3-sided pole barn than to throw them away.  The district makes this area available to anyone who wants to shop and pick up items to use in their own construction projects.  Materials range from lumber to bathroom fixtures, doors to windows.  The district estimates the annual diversion from this single program at 40 tons of material.

Rural Reuse Programs:  The district also operates four Recycling & Solid Waste Stations across the country to reach the rural communities.  The stations act as a recycling center, transfer station, and household hazardous waste drop-off facility.  Each station also has a Rural Trading Post where residents can drop off still useful items, such as books, children’s toys, and small appliances.  Anyone in the county is free to take items from the Rural Trading Post when visiting the stations.  They are open and staffed three days each week by district personnel, and provide an example of how limited staff and resources still make reuse possible in rural areas.

Art Materials Reuse Program:  MCSWMD also operates an art materials area that has grown in popularity with local teachers and artists.  The center began when district staff began pulling items from the recycling center picking station that seemed to have some creative value.  Though this program began small, in 1996 the program expanded significantly, and the district dedicated an entire section of their recycling facility for shelves and bins to house the would-be art materials.  The materials available range from paper to paint to bottles and jars, and even odd and end plastics components.  The center has become so popular that the district estimates annual diversion to be almost one ton a month from the art materials reuse program alone.

Hazardous Materials Reuse:  As part of the Monroe County Household Hazardous Waste program, the district offers residents the opportunity to drop off still usable paint, cleaning products, and lawn care products free of charge at the Haz Bin Room.  The Haz Bin Room has shelves of still usable household items that are available, free, to residents in the market for such products.  The materials in the Haz Bin Room are regularly used by local artists, schools, community development agencies and individual homeowners.  Reuse of household hazardous waste materials, instead of disposal, can be beneficial in reducing risk to public health and the environment.

Sidewalk Sale: The district provides a public area at the recycling center where residents can exchange a variety of household items, from books to magazines to canning jars.  Items are left at the Sidewalk Exchange when people are dropping materials off at the recycling center as a means of diverting still useful items.  Other residents peruse the carts, shelves and sidewalk area to find “treasures” to take home.

Reuse Bulletin Board: Items too large for the sidewalk exchange can be posted on the district’s bulletin board.  The board provides an area for “items wanted” and “items available“.  Items such as furniture and, lawn equipment could be posted on the board to find a local resident interested in reuse.

Reuse Guide: Monroe County also helps promote the many not-for-profit and for-profit reuse operations in their local community through the Reuse Resources: A Directory of Reuse Oriented Businesses in Monroe County.   This guide explores the many organizations that are providing reuse and repair services, thrift and retail stores.  In addition, the guide provides tips on how to plan local reuse activities, such as garage sales and auctions.