We’ve Diverted 3 Million Pounds from the Landfill—Thanks to Our Incredible Team and Community!
Thanks to the tireless efforts of our staff, volunteers, and generous donors, Austin Creative Reuse has officially diverted 3 million pounds of materials from the landfill. That’s right—3 million pounds saved from waste and given a second life through creativity and community. Behind every pound saved from the trash is a human hand, a thoughtful decision, and hours of behind-the-scenes work to give that item a second life.
What does “3 million pounds diverted” really mean?
At Austin Creative Reuse, every single donation that comes through our doors is weighed, sorted, and evaluated. Over the past 14 years, our team has carefully received, weighed, and processed 3 million pounds of donated materials. Each item is examined, sorted, cleaned, tested, bundled, priced, and displayed so that it can reenter the world as a resource for educators, artists, makers, and creatives. It’s not magic—it’s meticulous, mission-driven labor.
We reached our first million pounds diverted from the landfill in 2021. Our second in 2023. And now, in 2025, we’ve reached a staggering 3 million pounds. That’s roughly 500,000 pounds diverted every year—made possible by the collective energy of our amazing community and team.
Just how big is 3 million pounds?
Let’s break it down:
That’s the weight of 300 elephants.
Or 10 blue whales.
Or 1,500 cars.
Or 60 million dwarf hamsters.
Or 5,500 years’ worth of trash from a single person.
No matter how you measure it—it’s huge. Take a second to imagine how much space 3 million pounds of stuff would take up in the landfill!
Behind the Numbers: An Enormous Labor of Love
This work doesn’t happen on its own. Every pound diverted is the result of thousands of hours of intensive, hands-on work. Our staff and volunteers don’t just receive donations—they process them. That means sorting materials into more than 70 categories, bundling, testing, cleaning, and pricing them. Some items, like art supplies or vintage odds and ends, require extra attention to ensure they're safe, usable, and appealing. And in some cases, we invest 30 minutes to an hour researching individual items for our Ebay store, where we sell the most fragile, rare and antique items that are donated to us and require extra care. Our retail team, alongside dedicated volunteers, then carefully organizes everything on the sales floor so it can find a new home.
This operation runs year-round and is fueled by passion, patience, and a strong belief in Reuse. Reaching 3 million pounds isn’t just a milestone—it’s a testament to the everyday dedication of an extraordinary group of people who care deeply about our planet and our community. It truly is a labor of love! We are deeply grateful to every team member, volunteer, and supporter who makes this work possible. Your commitment drives our mission forward and shows that a more sustainable, creative future is possible.
To Our Donors: Thank You
To everyone who has opened a closet, a garage, a studio drawer and chosen to donate rather than discard: thank you. Your generosity fuels this entire ecosystem. Your choice to give materials a second life helps spark creativity, support educators and artists, and protect our environment. Without your contributions, none of this would be possible. Your donations are more than just stuff—they’re the foundation of a movement!
You’ve donated everything from the quirky to the practical—picture frames, paper clips, paintbrushes, shopping catalogs, and yes, even dried emu feet. And every single donation is handled with thought and care. Because at Austin Creative Reuse, we believe that every item has value and potential. Every object can be reimagined, repurposed, and reused, and we’re dedicated to making it happen.
Here’s to 3 million pounds—and counting. THE FUTURE IS REUSE. And it’s built by all of us!
