Swap Shop

A swap shop is a local place where residents can exchange used items that are in good working condition.
Typically located at a community’s transfer station or recycling drop-off center, the swap shop is based on the adage that “one person’s trash is another person’s treasure.”
Repair Event

A repair event brings members of the community together to help build a culture of repair, and keep items that are still useful out of the waste stream.
It is a free, hands-on opportunity for people with broken or damaged items - from bicycles to clothing, furniture to jewelry, consumer electronics to kitchen appliances - to connect with volunteer “fixers” who can repair them.
Learn about MassDEP funding for repair events.
Calendar of Repair Events Across Massachusetts
Additional Resources
Zero Waste Day

Also known as a Reuse Rodeo or donation event, a Zero Waste Day makes it easy for residents to donate gently used items to multiple non-profits at the same place and time. See below for a list of commonly accepted items.
Your community may also choose to provide a paper-shredding service and/or options for items that can be difficult to recycle, such as consumer electronics, in conjunction with a donation event.
Additional Resources
Library of Things or Tool Library

Creating a "lending library" offers residents access to tools and other useful items that they might need occasionally or for a specific purpose, but would otherwise be burdensome for them to own and store, and would likely sit idle for long periods of time.
Encouraging people to borrow rather than buy these items not only reduces waste, but also saves money. See below for a list of commonly available items.
Additional Resources
MassDEP Funding
The Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) encourages your town or city to implement local reuse and repair programs, and offers financial assistance in support of them, including:
- Sustainable Materials Recovery Program (SMRP) Municipal Grants
- Reduce, Reuse, Repair Micro-Grants
- Recycling Dividends Program (RDP) Payments
SMRP Grants & Micro-Grants | Recycling Dividends Program |
Your community may apply for:
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Your community may earn:
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You may review all of the relevant eligibility criteria in the SMRP Municipal Grant Guidelines below.