FIRST National Reuse Conference and EXPO Comes to North Carolina

Raleigh has been named the host city for ReuseConex, the first National Reuse Conference and Expo hosted by Reuse Alliance. The 3-day event highlights the triple bottom line of reuse, and will take place on October 18-20, 2010 at the Hilton North Raleigh, Experts from the reuse industry share best practice and replicable business models. There will be  motivating speakers, such as key note speaker Garth Johnson author of 1000 Ideas for Creative Reuse. There will also be a trade expo, intensive workshops, reuse tours, a ReFashion Show, and film screenings.
 
The event is bringing people together from across the country to learn more about reuse and its triple bottom line benefits (environmental, social, and economic). Attendees include reuse and remanufacturing firm operators, environmental educators, economic development leaders, environmental activists, eco-entrepreneurs, green builders, green job specialists, reclaimed-material artists, sustainability consultants, venture capitalists and waste prevention/recycling coordinators within corporations, government agencies, and universities.
 
ReuseConex is being hosted by Reuse Alliance, a national nonprofit association that increases public awareness of reuse and strengthens the reuse sector by connecting, supporting and promoting its members. This is the inaugural conference for Reuse Alliance, and the first national conference of its kind in the United States.
 
“Whether you’re a resale shop manager, an environmental educator, a green builder, an urban planner, an artist or DIYer, this is the place to learn about all of the facets of reuse,” says MaryEllen Etienne, Executive Director of Reuse Alliance. “From conventional reuse to creative reuse, the possibilities for reusing, repurposing and upcycling materials are endless, and ReuseConex will highlight this fact.”
 
Local supporters of ReuseConex include Builders of Hope, City of Raleigh, Goodwill Industries of Eastern North Carolina, Habitat ReStore of Wake County, North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources (NCDENR), ReDress Raleigh, The Scrap Exchange, SJF Ventures, US Environmental Protection Agency Region 4 and Working Films. Corporate supporters include Green Bag Promos, iWasteNot Systems, Thirst Clencher and U-Haul.
                                                       
“We welcome the ReuseConex to North Carolina. Reuse benefits our environment and our economy by preserving natural resources and reducing costs associated with disposal. The conference’s focus fits perfectly with the state’s efforts to reduce waste and create green jobs,” says Scott Mouw, Section Chief of Community Business Assistance for NCDENR’s Division of Pollution Prevention & Environmental Assistance.
 
Raleigh’s Mayor, Charles Meeker, is delighted to see the national conference in his city, “It is only fitting that ReuseConex should take place here in Raleigh as we have made investments to become a leader for smart growth and environmentally friendly policies and practices,” says Meeker.  
 
Ms. Etienne adds, “Not only does Raleigh have an administration that encourages citizens to do their part to alleviate climate change through waste prevention, it’s also home to a wide range of reuse-oriented firms, such as building material salvage centers, computer remanufacturers, consignment shops, furniture refurbishers, and reclaimed-material artists which help us demonstrate why reuse should be considered the original green collar job.”  
 
For details about ReuseConex go to http://www.reuseconex.org. To find out more about Reuse Alliance, please visit their website at http://www.reusealliance.org.