Reducing wasteful gift-giving: Philly businesses, shoppers find ways to reuse items this holiday season

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ReUp Fashion store owner Tara Martinak at her sewing machine at her store in Haddon Township, N.J. (Kimberly Paynter/WHYY)

When people visit state parks, they will likely interact with the surrounding residential areas. Based on their recreational activity visitors will need supplies, along with food/snacks. Perhaps there is a way local residents can contribute their unused supplies. Likewise, local residents are producing trash daily, perhaps there is a way to collect and reuse items such as glass jars to be repurposed as containers for supplies visitors might need. With tourism, there’s usually some sort of gift shop involved. Perhaps local residents could contribute their unwanted clothing items or home goods to be repurposed as souvenir items for visitors.

Although visitors need to be mindful of their consumption, these initiatives wouldn’t just be for their sake. By creating methods in which trash can be redirected in local communities beyond choosing whether or not items end up in the trash or recycling, people can create habits that prioritize repurposing, whether it be for themselves or part of a collective action.