Big Reuse has opened a second Reuse Center and thrift store in Bushwick at 378 Troutman Street, where the environmental nonprofit says it will accept donations from the community, divert materials from landfills and give neighbors a sustainable way to shop. The organization marked the launch with an opening party on Saturday, Feb. 28, from 6 to 8 p.m.
Andie Millares, the group’s development and communications coordinator, said the new store follows the same model as Big Reuse’s Gowanus location, which she said placed a record number of items into new homes and out of the landfill this year. The Bushwick store is open daily from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. for both shopping and donation, according to the organization.
The opening celebration included refreshments, giveaways and remarks from the Big Reuse team, the nonprofit said. According to Millares, thrifters, reusers and environmental enthusiasts came out to support the new center, which she said the Bushwick team brought to life from an empty warehouse space in just a few months. Representatives from the offices of Council Member Lincoln Restler, Council Member Jen Gutierrez and Council Member Julie Won joined the festivities, the organization said.
The nonprofit said its street tree care team and composting team were on hand at the opening to discuss volunteer opportunities and answer questions about New York City’s curbside composting mandates. Big Reuse said the Reuse Centers are one part of its zero-waste and environmental community-based programming, which also includes street tree care events, community composting, curbside composting outreach and food scrap drop-off sites.
Big Initiatives Inc., which operates as Big Reuse, is based at 1 12th Street in Brooklyn. The organization has published donation guidelines for the Bushwick location, which are available online.
