|
|
| Title: |
Materials Exchanges |
| Resource type: |
Program/project |
| Topics: |
Business, Individual Choices
|
| Keywords: |
used goods, reuse, material exchange, waste exchange |
| Audience: |
All
|
| Region: |
Minnesota Statewide
|
| Summary: |
Materials exchanges are free services that list one company's or organization's waste material and make it available for use by another company or organization (such as a school or local unit of government). |
| Content: |
These exchanges can provide usable low- or no-cost materials, help save money on disposal costs, maximize storage and warehouse space, and conserve raw materials and natural resources. Examples of materials listed on exchanges are: pallets, plastic buckets, fiber drums, beverage can recycling containers, chemical compounds, aluminum square tubes, polyester/rayon lining materials, chairs, and many more usable items.
Those interested with materials to list or with an interest in obtaining materials contact the materials exchange. Then they are linked to the company or other organization listing the materials. The details of the transactions (such as transportation, cost, if any, and handling) are arranged by the interested parties themselves.
The web site below, coordinated by the Minnesota Technical Assistance Program (MnTAP), allows any business or other organization to list materials to be exchanged state-wide, and provides an on-line catalog of the materials that are available for low or no-cost. Included are a number of success stories of organizations making use of materials exchange services.
In addition to this one statewide listing of materials, a number of local material exchanges exist in Minnesota. Minnesota is served by nine programs that make up the Minnesota Materials Exchange Alliance. Each local exchange lists items available from organizations in their geographic area and provides customized assistance for listers and seekers in their geographic area. The nine exchanges are:
· Metro-area exchange through MnTAP
· Chisago County Materials Exchange
· North Central Materials Exchange
· Northeast Minnesota Materials Exchange, St. Louis County
· Northeast Minnesota Materials Exchange, WLSSD
· Otter Tail County Materials Exchange
· Southeast Minnesota Materials Exchange (SEMREX)
· Southwest Minnesota Materials Exchange
· Westcentral Minnesota Materials Exchange
For questions or more information on the statewide and regional materials exchanges in Minnesota, contact Sarah Haas at MnTAP at 612/624-1300, 800/247-0015, or haasx132@umn.edu Twice a month interested interested individuals can also receive e-mail updates about the latest available and wanted listings. To receive these e-mail updates, follow the instructions at http://www.mnexchange.org/EmailListings.htm Printed catalogs of materials are no longer available from MnTAP.
In the Twin Cities a web-based listing service for residents who want to get or give free reusable goods for the home, garage and garden is run by Eureka Recycling, a nonprofit organization serving Twin Cities area residents and businesses. Called the Free Market, it is at www.twincitiesfreemarket.org
|
| Website: |
www.mnexchange.org |
| Suggested by: |
Philipp Muessig
|
| Added: |
12/19/00 |
| Updated: |
10/20/09 |
|
Home
Add
an event 