BETHEL — As 2023 begins, people look to reduce their footprint, by recycling, upcycling, reducing and reusing. Last week was all about recyclables. This story focuses on other options.

Upcycle

Shelly Kennagh, of Albany Township, repurposes old frames, candle holders, bread boxes and “anything I can find that’s a good deal.” She sifts through transfer station pick piles, shops at Goodwill and receives donations from friends. On her Facebook page, “Repurposed my Way,” she posts teaching videos where viewers can make a pumpkin from a brown paper bag, and much more.

Jillian Bryce, of Bryant Pond, created this lion from birch leaves, rhododendron leaves, maple leaves, ginkgo leaves, walnut (nose), walnut and acorn (eyes), maple leaf veins (whiskers), pine needles (chin hairs), and grapefruit rinds (ears and eye highlights). submitted photo

Jillian Bryce, of Bryant Pond, makes art from recycled or natural materials. “I use plastic bottles, bottle caps, other recycled plastics, like fruit cups and packaging material, glass and cans. For the natural stuff, I use everything!… I use a lot of seeds, seed pods and skins, as well as eggshells and mica.” See her work at: YOUniquely MEcycled on Facebook.

RePant sewers, Moriah “Linda” McDonough and Melinda Remmington, both of Bethel, meet at the Bethel Historic Society on Tuesdays from 9:30-11:30 a.m. to sew bags Rose Lincoln, Bethel Citizen

RePant is a group of local women who meet at the Bethel Historical Society on Tuesdays to sew cloth totes. All proceeds go to area non-profits. They sell the totes at Gemini, True North, Barking Dawg and The Gem. They are on the lookout for fabric, t-shirts, pants (chinos, cargo, plaid & jeans).  Text Donna Gillis to help sew or to donate clothing at: 207-357-2644.

Seams Undone is owned by Donna Gillis, of Bethel. She makes quilts from clothing.

Anita Clark, of Newry, sews for RePant, at the Bethel Historic Society on Tuesdays. Rose Lincoln, Bethel Citizen

Reuse or Repurpose

Sell
In Philbrook Place (162 Main Street, Bethel) there are two busy upstairs consignment shops, Revival and Community Sports, that accept gently used and new clothing. Downstairs is clothing for infant to pre-school aged children in Little Bits Consignment Shop. The customer base is wide, with shoppers coming from as far as Norway; Gorham, NH; and Rumford.

Revival, owned by Kassia Mirski of Greenwood, sells men’s and women’s clothing and shares the profit, 40% to the consignor, 60% to the store.

Community Sports, owned by Hayley Tanguay of Albany Township, sells sports equipment and outdoor wear. Her rate is slightly different for equipment; the split is 50/50. When the price point for an item is higher the ratio changes and the consignor makes more money than the shop.

Tanguay, who has owned her shop for nearly ten years, says, “There’s a lot of stuff in the world. A lot of it is still good … Our target market is families with kids that are growing. If a kid wants to try a new sport they can try it out without spending too much. We need more mini-skis. Anything under 100 cm. will go right out the door … We are trying to keep things out of the transfer station.” Anything she doesn’t sell goes to charity.

Building owner, Sara Hemeon, operates Little Bits Consignment Shop, offering a 50/50 split. They call their tiny clothes and books (all ages) pre-loved.

The toys for sale on the first floor at Philbrook are new, some are made from recycled plastic. They have ‘green’ toys, a truck brand made from recycled plastics. Artists who sell in the artists’ gallery use recycled materials like metal and reclaimed wood. As a building owner, “we try to be conscientious,” said Hemeon.

Give away

At the Bethel Transfer Station, the Goodwill bin in the Andover Transfer station, and others are for unwanted clothing and shoes. “Nearly 10% of all trash in local landfills are textiles,” said Matt Grondin, of EcoMaine. Apparel Impact accepts men’s and women’s clothing, accessories, shoes and sheets. If you cannot get your clothing to the box at the transfer station, you can schedule a pick up.

According to Apparel Impact’s website, “Since 2014, Apparel Impact has provided clothing, food and other much needed resources to over 9,000 people and families locally.”

The Salvation Army. With stores in Lewiston (720 Main Street), Raymond (1225 Roosevelt Trail), and Portland (30 Warren Ave), the Salvation Army will take  clothes and all kinds of household goods, including furniture. If you are willing to make a donation, they will take your car or truck. They do not take mattresses.

The What Not Shop. Located in Rumford (85 Lincoln Avenue), the What Not Shop is run by the Hope Association. They assist individuals with intellectual disabilities by providing whole life services.  All proceeds help cover the cost of non-MaineCare reimbursable items and services that help enhance the lives of those they serve. There is a drop off box on the side of the building WHAT DO THEY TAKE.  They have customer appreciation cards for frequent buyers.

Give away or sell (anything)
Facebook –there are a few local sites that offer items like the Greenwood Free Page, the West Paris Free Page and the Bethel Buy Nothing Initiative.

Receiving or giving
Both are ways to keep it out of the landfill.