Buffalo ReUse: E-Waste Collection Event

On Saturday, April 16, 2011 from 10am-2pm, Buffalo ReUSE will offer an opportunity to safely dispose of old TVs, computers, and other electronics at their retail store, located at 298 Northampton St., Buffalo [Map].

This event is held in honor of Earth Day and in partnership with Sunnking, a local electronics recycler.

In addition to reusable building materials and unwanted household items, Buffalo ReUSE will accept the following E-Waste:

Computers & Laptops -- Printers -- Keyboards & Mice -- Monitors (CRTs) -- Televisions -- Microwave Ovens (non PCB) -- Copiers -- Typewriters -- Fax Machines -- Cellular Phones & Pagers -- Audio & Video Equipment -- Telephone Equipment -- Laboratory & Test Equipment -- Circuit Boards (any kind) -- Cables/Wire -- Any item with a Circuit Board -- Batteries (charges may apply) -- Most Home Appliances

Additional E-Waste Day activities include building material recycling, worm composting, Tool Library tours, and Patchwork Garden sign up. Raised Garden Bed materials & Rain Barrels will be available for purchase.

Buffalo ReUSE is a 501(c)(3), non-profit organization working to keep valuable building materials from landfills. Buffalo ReUse operates a building material resale store – open to the public six days a week – Tuesday-Saturday 10am-6pm and Sunday 12-4pm. The Buffalo ReUSE store is fully stocked with doors, windows, plumbing, tubs, tile, cabinets, furniture, fixtures, and more.

Buffalo ReUse accepts unwanted and reusable building material donations at the 298 Northampton St location. All donations are tax-deductible. Pickups can be scheduled by calling (716) 882-2800. Sorry, pick-ups not available for e-waste event.

For more information, please call Buffalo ReUSE at (716) 882-2800 or email at info@buffaloreuse.org.

Buffalo ReUSE Announces Price Drop

Buffalo ReUse is proud to announce a January Price Drop at The ReSOURCE, 298 Northampton St, beginning January 4, 2011.

This sale is being held in celebration of the New Year and Buffalo ReUSE’s continued commitment to offering the public great deals on reusable building materials. There is a catch to this fabulous sale - customers must buy up before discounts go down!


Each week, the discount will change as follows:

- January 4-9 Customers will receive a 60% discount
- January 11-16 Customers will receive a 50% discount
- January 18-23 Customers will receive a 40% discount
- January 25-30 Customers will receive a 30% discount

On February 1, all items will return to their usual low prices.

The ReSOURCE is fully stocked with lighting fixtures, plumbing, tubs, sinks, tile, flooring, trim, spindles, railings, furniture, windows, doors, and more. Most items found in the ReSOURCE can be purchased at the discounted rate. Radiators, lumber, cabinet sets, hardware, and antiques can be purchased at their usual low, low prices.

The ReSOURCE is open for business Tuesday-Saturday 10:00 am – 6:00 pm and Sunday 12:00 – 4:00 pm.

Kevin Hayes, Interim Executive Director for Buffalo ReUse, invites the community to visit the ReSOURCE to browse the stock and learn more about services and activities we provide. Each Saturday, the organization holds small events geared to educate, engage, and excite the public about home repair and self-sufficiency. This month, Saturday activities begin at 11:00am and focus on staying warm all winter long.

Additionally, Buffalo ReUSE accepts material donations year-round. Anyone with reusable materials, surplus supplies, or tools is invited to donate by dropping them off at the ReSOURCE or calling to schedule a pick up. Tax-deductible donation receipts are available at the time of donation.

For more information, please call the ReSOURCE, the Buffalo ReUSE retail store at (716) 882-2800 or email at info@buffaloreuse.org.

Corporate Recycling and ReUse on the Rise

Buffalo ReUse teams up with M&T Bank to REUSE green plaza stone

Buffalo, NY. M&T Bank is the most recent corporate citizen to embrace the green movement in Buffalo. With the rehabilitation of One M&T Plaza well underway, M&T Bank has teamed up with Buffalo ReUse, Inc. to donate and reuse over 12,000 square feet of Vermont Green Patio Stones.

Senior Vice President for Corporate Services, Keith Belanger stated, “The donation and reuse of the stone from the Plaza underscores the commitment of our bank to being an environmentally conscious corporate citizen. For us, our collaboration with Buffalo ReUse demonstrates our commitment to making a difference in the world around us. It's what 'being green' is all about.”

In the coming weeks, you'll notice a lot of activity around One M&T Plaza in downtown Buffalo, NY. M&T Bank has planned and initiated multi-year project to rehabilitate the Plaza at One M&T Plaza. The Vermont Green Stone will be replaced with a granite. The estimated completion date for the project is October 2011.

Buffalo ReUse Contact: Michael Gainer, 949-0900, buffaloreuse@gmail.com

M&T Bank Contact: Chet Bridger, 842-5182

Buffalo ReUSE is Hiring

The Buffalo ReUse is looking to hire a Volunteer Coordinator (VC). The VC will work with a team of Buffalo ReUse staff to develop our Volunteer Program and assist with Organizational Development and Fund Raising Events.

Specifically, the VC will report to the Director of Community Programs and help recruit volunteers from all regions of the community, including corporate participants. The VC will train and support volunteers, maintain a Volunteer Database, oversee efforts to recognize volunteers, design promotional materials for volunteer recruitment, as well as, seek out other innovative volunteer programs and successful development attributes we might adopt.

Please share the attached Buffalo ReUse Volunteer Coordinator Announcement with anyone you feel would be qualified, committed and enthusiastic about this opportunity.

To review the FULL JOB DESCRIPTION, visit: http://bit.ly/bUPis5.

Caesandra N. Seawell, Director of Community Programs
Buffalo ReUse Inc, 716-885-4131

ReUse - Community Partners Program

Buffalo ReUse Launches

Community Partners Program

Employees from National Grid
assist ReUse in beautifying
the Cold Spring neighborhood

Buffalo, NY -- On Earth Day, Buffalo ReUse launches its ReACT! Program, an initiative to mobilize volunteers from local corporations and organizations to actively engage in the strengthening of inner-city neighborhoods.

On Thursday, April 22nd, as our community celebrates Earth Day, from 8am until 3pm, 35 National Grid employees will join the Community Programs staff at ReUse to transform vacant lots into community assets by constructing planters for street corners and building perimeter fences to eliminate illegal dumping.

Caesandra Seawell, Director of Community Programs said, “We piloted the ReACT! Program last year as we hosted over 50 volunteers from HSBC. Corporate groups can bring a lot of energy to neighborhoods. They support improvement projects through the purchase of supplies and then they bring an infusion of muscle power to get the job done in a day or less." ReUse is eager to expand this program in 2010 and make dramatic impacts on our Cold Spring neighborhood.

Preparations began almost two months ago. Today will include the construction of a new Rain Garden at the corner of Northampton and Michigan Streets under the direction of horticulturalist, Matthew Dore. The corner will have an impressive new landscape and incorporates details the nearby neighbors will enjoy as well low-maintenance native perennials and edibles. The one-of-a-kind planters are constructed from reclaimed lumber and they will be placed at all the major intersections on Northampton. Finally, a street blitz that will spruce up the neighborhood and clear it of litter. Volunteer Coordinator Rachel Matthews said, “We’re excited by all the volunteers that are expressing interest in getting involved in the neighborhood, together we’re rolling up our sleeves, digging our hands in, and getting the job done.”

Buffalo ReUse encourages corporate groups and organizations interested in community service to get involved. The ReACT! Program offers a unique opportunity for small, medium, and large groups to participate in tangible projects and make a difference in the neighborhood. Projects are being scheduled now for the Spring, Summer, and Fall of 2010.

To see photos of the National Grid project with Buffalo ReUse on Earth DAY, click here.

Job Openings at BUFFALO ReUSE

Buffalo ReUSE has two AmeriCorps Job Openings.

We are looking for a ReSource Educator and a Green Space Coordinator. The candidates shouldn't feel intimidated about the teaching part. If they've never taught a group of people--we can train them. They just have to have the desire and capacity to teach. Their service will last one year--from JAN-DEC 2010.

Caesandra N. Seawell, Director of Community Programs
Buffalo ReUse Inc., 716-885-4131

2010 Commemorative Calendar from Buffalo ReUSE
Revenue generated from our sale of 2010 Commemorative Calendars funds our social mission, which includes neighborhood revitalization, job training, and environmental stewardship.
Learn more and purchase a calendar here.


To read earlier posts on Buffalo ReUSE, click here.

Buffalo ReUse: ReBEL with a Cause

Buffalo ReUse's Michael Gainer visited a training program on the East Side of Buffalo and asked the young men in the room the following questions:
“How many of you know an individual that has dropped out of school?” Everyone raised their hand. “Where will those people be in three years?” Their three responses? 1. In Jail. 2. Hustling drugs. 3. Dead.

Gainer feels that it is devastating that these are the options for our young men and women, and devastating that so little is being done to address this need. So, he and his co-workers are doing something about it.

Under Michael Gainer's leadership, Buffalo ReUse founded the ReBEL Corps to provide the necessary support, mentoring, and training to assist young adults in transitioning from their current situation to a technical training program, employment opportunity, or college. The ReBEL Corps is a vehicle for engaging young people in their neighborhoods, offering diverse skills training, imparting an ecological ethos, and developing a solid foundation of skills and experiences that will enable their future success as leaders, community members, entrepreneurs, and ecological stewards. The program capitalizes on a growing coalition of grassroots organizations in the City of Buffalo, a strengthening partnership between not-for-profit organizations and government, and an increasing consciousness regarding the value of greening our economy.

Young adults work on a crew of ten folks, supported by two crew leaders, and complete action oriented projects that improve neighborhoods, three days a week. Two days a week, they are engaged in community service activities, educational activities, and work to attain their GED and a work readiness credential. The hope is that after one year of participation, young adults will obtain the tools necessary to advance to a job, advanced training, or university opportunity. The program is currently under development with a launch anticipated this Fall. Buffalo ReUse piloted similar programs on a small scale in 2008 in collaboration with Catholic Charities and the Green Summer program.

This is part of the 5th report in a series from Buffalo ReUse, as follows:

1. Overview, History and Programs
2. Buffalo ReUse -- Mission & Vision
3. Values, Take Two
4. Green Demolition, Salvage, & Donations
5. ReBEL Corps Defined
6. Finances and Fund Raising
7. Challenges of Green Demolition
8. What is The ReSOURCE?
   

Green Jobs Training in Buffalo...Ready?

On April 17th, 2009, Buffalo ReUse submitted their application to the U.S. Conference of Mayors to initiate a Pre-Apprenticeship, Green Jobs Training Program in Buffalo! The program is called the ReBEL Corps. BEL stands for Buffalo ECO Leaders. To be considered, Buffalo ReUse must have a letter of support from our Mayor, Byron Brown and we need your help!

We know the Mayor is committed to creating Green Jobs and to training youth in our neighborhoods. Your signature will communicate your support for this proposal and urge the Mayor to submit a letter of support on behalf of the City of Buffalo to make GREEN JOBS TRAINING possible for out of school young adults, ages 17 - 24.

Please support this effort. Click Here and Sign the Petition.
Oakland is ready...
South Bronx & Chicago are ready. See Web Links -->
The question is...Is Buffalo Ready?

Green Jobs in Buffalo?

Whether it's to save the planet, or save money, going 'green' is in. Everyone and everything are going green. Certain blue-collar jobs and white-collar jobs are now being repurposed as green-collar jobs, or simply green jobs. Green jobs are becoming the rage across the country, and hopefully these new job opportunities will develop in Buffalo.

What is a green job? Green jobs are well-paid, career-track jobs that contribute directly to preserving or enhancing environmental quality. Such jobs are arising because of the need to address global warming pollution caused by burning fossil fuels, and also because of the need to develop sources of clean, renewable energy, like wind, solar and geothermal. Also, investment in energy efficiency can create new jobs, and at the same time help reduce global warming pollution. The table below lists a wide variety of representative jobs that are associated with several different strategies for green economic investment.

[click image to enlarge]

The table is from a report on a green economic recovery program which showed that a $100 billion investment in these areas over two years would result in 2 Million new jobs across the nation. This program would provide a major boost to the construction and manufacturing sectors throughout the U.S, and would have a very significant impact on New York’s labor market. There would be a net increase of 131,991 jobs, reducing New York’s unemployment rate to 3.8% in two years from 5.2% (June 2008). The full report on the impact of this economic recovery program on New York state is here.

Strong opportunities for creating green jobs are anticipated in the near future. President-elect Obama supports making strategic investments to catalyze private efforts to build a clean energy future. He also supports programs, like the Green Jobs Corps (see Web links on the right-side panel), that will provide youth participants with service opportunities to improve the energy efficiency of homes and buildings in their communities, and also with practical skills and experience in important career fields of expected high‐growth employment.

How about opportunities for green jobs and a Green Jobs Corps in Buffalo? Recently, NY State Assemblyman Sam Hoyt held a "Green Jobs Conference" in Buffalo. The text of his opening remarks is here, and the handout distributed at the conference is here. The conference brought together about 175 representatives from government agencies, businesses, and non-profit organizations to create a clear action plan for long-term success. Participants will continue to meet periodically in smaller groups to further develop job creation proposals and policy suggestions for consideration by state agencies. Hoyt is developing a proposal to create a concurrent green jobs and training corps program that would deconstruct, not demolish, abandoned houses in NY cities and reuse, not landfill, the recovered building materials, replicating Buffalo ReUse’s successful deconstruction model. We very much look forward to future developments on green jobs and training opportunities in Buffalo!

Regional Conference on Building ReUse

Buffalo ReUse and the Building Materials Reuse Association are co-sponsoring the Great Lakes Building ReUse Conference in Buffalo, NY. This will be the first regional conference on developing and implementing building deconstruction and other creative solutions to address problems and solutions surrounding vacant and abandoned structures.

The purpose of the conference is to share creative strategies that foster community, develop job opportunities, and strengthen the local economy for all residents. Participants include community activists, students, policymakers, architects, city planners, grant makers, funders, contractors, building owners and other people eager to initiate and expand programs that employ building reuse and vacant property stabilization in "rust belt" cities surrounding the Great Lakes and throughout the country.

WHEN: Sunday, November 16 to Tuesday, November 18

WHERE: Hyatt Regency Buffalo, Two Fountain Plaza [ Map is HERE ]

SCHEDULE: Click HERE

FEATURED PRESENTATIONS: click HERE
Monday, Nov. 17: Tyree Guyton & Jenenne Whitfield of The Heidelberg Project
Tuesday, Nov. 18: Mayor Jay Williams of Youngstown, Ohio

WORKSHOPS: Six on Monday, Nov. 17, and three on Tuesday, Nov. 18 [ Click HERE ]

FREE TO THE PUBLIC: Tuesday, Nov. 18: 5–7pm
Local Vacant Property Summit. Buffalo residents and local policymakers strongly encouraged to attend. Moderated by Michael Groman of Pennsylvania Horticultural Society and Anthony Armstrong of LISC Buffalo.
[Note added on 11/15: A story about Michael Groman's work on greening Philadelphia appears in today's Buffalo News]

REGISTER at www.greatlakesreuse.org.
Several registration levels - including nonprofit and student rates - are available.
For more information, send E-mail or call 716.885.4131

Green JOBS: Buffalo ReUse

BUFFALO ReUSE Inc is seeking extraordinary community builders with experience in urban agriculture, land use planning, and developing best practices of green space management. Responsibilities consist of installing and managing community gardens and events/educational programming related to the urban agriculture.
Complete job description and contact information are HERE.

ReSOURCE: Reception & Grand Opening

Buffalo ReUse is a not-for-profit organization established to develop deconstruction as a competitive alternative to the demolition of abandoned housing. Today Buffalo ReUse will open a retail store, ReSOURCE, as an outlet for materials it has salvaged from vacant houses.
A reception will be held at the ReSOURCE Store on Friday, May 16, 6-8pm, and a Grand Opening will be held there on Saturday, May 17, throughout the day. For details, click here.

The ReSOURCE store is located at 298 Northampton in Buffalo, a few blocks east of DeltaSonic car wash on Main Street at Northampton. For a Map to the store, click here, and to visit the Web site, click here.

Michael Gainer, founder of Buffalo ReUse, was a speaker at the inaugural session of Business Gets Green and was also featured in the NY Times Magazine.
For more information about ReSOURCE and Buffalo ReUse, read the recent Buffalo News report by Tom Buckham, Buffalo ReUse opens a new door to transforming city neighborhoods. See also the News blog, Making a difference, one house at a time.

GROWING BUFFALO'S GREEN ECONOMY

NY State Assemblyman Sam Hoyt

hosts a

Green Economy Summit

featuring Empire State Development Upstate Chairman

DAN GUNDERSEN

April 12, 9AM at Buffalo State College

To download a Conversation Starter for a Green Economy, click here

To visit the Green Economy Summit Wikispace, click here