In a push to advocate for a more sustainable future, the city of Minnetonka hosted its inaugural Reuse Swap event earlier this month, managing to get hundreds of items recycled in the process. The May 11 event, which went down at the Minnetonka Community Center, saw locals swapping more than 300 pounds of clothes, shoes, and accessories.

According to official reports, the event was a massive success, garnering support from the community who came to effectively, and sustainably, give their second-hand goods a second chance. The city's sustainability staff, partnered with commission members, orchestrated the swap, which resulted in a significant 780 pounds of material being saved from the waste stream.

Folks who attended the swap wound up taking home 331.6 pounds of reusable goods, leaving many with a feeling of community achievement and environmental contribution. The remaining 450.8 pounds found a new home at AbleLight Thrift, a Minnetonka thrift store dedicated to rehoming used goods.

The feedback was positive, with participants at the swap meeting voting in favor of having more events like this in the future; one with a focus on winter clothing was specifically suggested. The community's response was overwhelming, showcasing a collective willingness to not just think but also act greener.