Where Do CVSan's Reusable Goods Go?

Have you ever wondered where the reusable goods you set out for collection through CVSan’s Bulky & Reuse Pick-Up and/or Textile Collection Week go? These items are picked up by CVSan’s collection contractor, Alameda County Industries and are sent to DR3 Recycling of Alameda County, a project of St. Vincent de Paul of Lane County, or St. Vinnie’s, in Eugene, Oregon.

St. Vinnie’s is the largest nonprofit human services agency in Lane County, and they have partnered with Alameda County Industries to receive CVSan’s reusable goods to sort them for resale and recycling.

In November 2019, CVSan staff and a Board member toured St. Vinnie’s’ facilities and were blown away by the impressive operation. Each CVSan reusable item that is sent to St. Vinnie’s – furniture, cookware, books, clothing, and more – is inspected by St. Vinnie’s staff and rated for quality. Items that meet certain quality standards are resold at one of St. Vinnie’s’ many thrift stores, and items rated below quality standards are sent to be either recycled or upcycled.

Did you know? Upcycling refers to the process of transforming products of low value into products of higher and better use. Some examples of St. Vinnie’s’ creative upcycled products include jewelry made from old vinyl records and bags made from old t-shirts. These products are sold at St. Vinnie’s thrift stores, craft fairs, or online.

The work being done at St. Vinnie’s is highly innovative. Their passion to create a circular economy, where items are resold, repurposed, or recycled instead of being sent to the landfill, will help CVSan achieve Zero Waste by 2029.