The Reuse Project

Whittier has long been a place of connection, creativity, and care. The Reuse Project explores how neighbors can organize materials, skills, and relationships so value stays in our community — reducing waste, strengthening resilience, and creating pathways for people to build together.
Simplified reuse system diagram showing how community-based reuse keeps materials in local circulation.
How reuse systems can work — simplified

In recent months, our neighborhood has experienced collective grief, courage, and solidarity — reminding us how much we depend on one another and how much control we give up to systems that aren’t ours. This project starts from that moment: practical, neighbor-centered, and built together.

Areas we're building toward:

  • Neighbor-led reuse, repair, and redistribution
  • Local coordination of space, skills, and materials
  • Pathways for resilient, community-based economy
  • Models that others can learn from and replicate

How this work is structured:

How to engage:

  • E-mail thereuseproject@proton.me to find out about meetings & be added to key communication channels
  • Share your interest & skills → interest form
  • Help define next steps for pilot projects

Additional resources: