Reuse Innovation Center

Our assignment was to:

  • Examine the waste stream to identify the materials that are currently landfilled and recycled.

  • Examine the “repair stream” of items typically fixed at Repair Cafes in and around Ulster County, to identify possible repair-
    oriented businesses and/or training programs that could be part of the Center.

  • Analyze reuse based business opportunities.

  • Consider site features, capacity and location options.

  • Work closely with stakeholders including public agencies, elected officials, potential business partners, investors, regulators, advocates and others to build on this analysis and conceptualize a Reuse Innovation Center that will divert major amounts of waste while creating jobs, education and inspiration.

To maintain relationships and solicit feedback as needed, we will update stakeholders regularly. Building a community of stakeholders who are available to advise throughout the project – and to whom we are accountable – is central to the success of this project.

SHV worked under contract with Ulster County to develop a strategic plan for a ReUse Innovation Center inspired by Repair Cafe Hudson Valley founder John K. Wackman. We collaborated with the top national expert in reuse based economic development, Dave Bennink of Reuse Consulting in Bellingham, Washington. Dave has created several Reuse Innovation Centers — ecosystems of businesses that share a space or district and profitably reuse a spectrum of materials. He is experienced in developing reuse based businesses at many scales and with diverse approaches, from entrepreneur driven approaches and businesses with early profitability that don’t rely on grants, to publicly owned, technically complex business ventures. Dave loves talking with people about the circular economy.

  • Characterization of the Ulster County Waste Stream

    Our goal in this project being diversion of waste, we have examined the current information available on waste materials flows in Ulster County. This draft analysis is meant to characterize the waste stream in terms of opportunities for waste diversion that are best accomplished by the reuse innovation center.

    Download the Waste Characterization Analysis

  • Analysis of Waste Diversion Programs & Activities

    Sustainable Hudson Valley’s team conducted a literature review and several interviews in order to identify the widest possible range of program possibilities for materials diversion and reuse-based industries.

    Download the Diversion Programs Analysis

  • RIC Conceptual Plan

    The final version of the Conceptual Plan for the Reuse Innovation Center will draw from the priority programs and activities identified in the Waste Characterization and Diversion Programs analysis deliverables. It will recommend programs and activities based on an evaluation of these analyses and research on what has been done elsewhere.

    Download the Draft Conceptual Plan

  • RIC Site Selection Considerations

    Siting Considerations for the RIC will be based on needs and effective strategy identified in the Conceptual Plan and what we have learned from characterizing the waste stream and diversion opportunities in Ulster County.

    Download the Siting Considerations Report

  • RIC Final Report

    Our Final Report with recommendations for implementing a Reuse Innovation Center. Please review and send comments to info@sustainhv.org.

    Download the Final Report