{"id":20031,"date":"2026-04-22T20:44:29","date_gmt":"2026-04-23T00:44:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.greenneedham.org\/blog\/?page_id=20031"},"modified":"2026-04-23T22:17:11","modified_gmt":"2026-04-24T02:17:11","slug":"participate-in-the-circular-economy","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.greenneedham.org\/blog\/toward-zero-waste-2\/participate-in-the-circular-economy\/","title":{"rendered":"Participate in the Circular Economy"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.greenneedham.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Circular-Economy-picture.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignleft wp-image-20036 size-thumbnail\" src=\"https:\/\/www.greenneedham.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Circular-Economy-picture-150x150.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.greenneedham.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Circular-Economy-picture-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.greenneedham.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Circular-Economy-picture-270x270.jpg 270w, https:\/\/www.greenneedham.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Circular-Economy-picture-230x230.jpg 230w, https:\/\/www.greenneedham.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Circular-Economy-picture-45x45.jpg 45w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 150px) 100vw, 150px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Our <a href=\"https:\/\/earthshotprize.org\/news\/dumping-the-take-make-waste-mindset-3-reasons-to-embrace-a-circular-economy\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">current linear economy<\/a> &#8220;is based on a \u2018take-make-waste\u2019 model: we TAKE natural resources to MAKE products and when we\u2019re done using them, often just once, we dispose of them as WASTE.&#8221; According to the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.unep.org\/resources\/Global-Resource-Outlook-2024\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">UN Environment Programme<\/a>, extraction of the Earth\u2019s natural resources tripled in the past five decades and is expected to increase greatly unless changes are made.<\/p>\n<p>In a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ellenmacarthurfoundation.org\/topics\/circular-economy-introduction\/overview\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">circular economy<\/a>, products are designed to be kept in use as long as possible through processes like maintenance, repair, longer use, refurbishment, recycling, and composting. In this way, precious resources are conserved and nature is able to regenerate.<\/p>\n<p><em><strong>You can contribute to the Circular Economy.<\/strong> \u00a0It&#8217;s easy, fun, can save you money, and it keeps perfectly usable stuff out of the waste stream!<\/em><\/p>\n<h4><strong>Donate\/Buy Usable Items\u00a0<\/strong><\/h4>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Check it out!\u00a0 Green Needham&#8217;s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.greenneedham.org\/blog\/recyclopedia\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Recyclopedia<\/a> gives information on how to donate\/recycle <em>specific <\/em>items<\/strong>.<strong> See resources for <a href=\"https:\/\/www.greenneedham.org\/blog\/recyclopedia\/rc-c\/#clothing\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">clothing donations<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.greenneedham.org\/blog\/recyclopedia\/rc-h\/#his\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">household items<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.greenneedham.org\/blog\/recyclopedia\/rc-b\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">backpacks<\/a>, etc.<\/strong><\/li>\n<li>Some examples of where you can donate and buy used items.<\/li>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/needhamcouncil.org\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">The Needham Community Council<\/a> has a thrift shop with adult\/teen clothing, jewelry, shoes, and various household items. See their <a href=\"https:\/\/needhamcouncil.org\/thrift-store\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Detailed donation guidelines.<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/ma-needham.civicplus.com\/index.aspx?NID=3111\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">The Needham RTS&#8217; Reuse-It Swap Shop<\/a> is a volunteer-run area at the RTS that allows residents to drop off and\/or pick up a wide variety of usable items.\u00a0 Most popular are children&#8217;s toys, bicycles\/scooters, sporting goods, games, and books, small household appliances\/items, tools, hardware, and gardening items.<a href=\"https:\/\/www.greenneedham.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/clothes-recycle-toronto-pic.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\" wp-image-5510 alignright\" src=\"https:\/\/www.greenneedham.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/clothes-recycle-toronto-pic.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"195\" height=\"195\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.greenneedham.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/clothes-recycle-toronto-pic.jpg 262w, https:\/\/www.greenneedham.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/clothes-recycle-toronto-pic-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.greenneedham.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/clothes-recycle-toronto-pic-144x144.jpg 144w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 195px) 100vw, 195px\" \/><\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.savers.com\/Default.aspx\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Savers <\/a>\u00a01230 VFW Pkwy. West Roxbury accepts and sells good quality clothing, small appliances, sports equipment, children\u2019s toys, games, hardback\u00a0and\u00a0paperback books, CDs, Videos, DVDs, vinyl records, computer software, furniture, sheets\/towels and much more. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.savers.com\/donate\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Click here for guidelines<\/a>. They are a for-profit store but also a\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.savers.com\/donate\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Community Donation Center<\/a> benefiting the Epilepsy Foundation. Savers has another<a href=\"https:\/\/stores.savers.com\/ma\/norwood\/savers-thrift-store-1207.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"> nearby store in Norwood<\/a>, 560 Boston Providence Hwy. N<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.playitagainsports.com\/locations\/dedham-ma\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Play It Again Sports<\/a>, 606 Washington St. Dedham, buys and sells quality used and new sports and fitness gear.<\/li>\n<li>Check out Needham&#8217;s second hand clothing stores:\u00a0 \u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/2ndhandroseneedham.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">2nd Hand Rose<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.closetexchange.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Closet Exchange<\/a>.<\/li>\n<li>Online resources for used clothing:\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thredup.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">ThredUp<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/poshmark.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Poshmark<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><!-- Item 5 --><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-9498 alignright\" src=\"https:\/\/www.greenneedham.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Needham-Public-library-library-of-things-resized-12282023-e1703805745869.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"170\" height=\"170\" \/><\/p>\n<h4><strong> Borrow or Give\/get Things for Free<\/strong><\/h4>\n<ul>\n<li>Needham Library&#8217;s <a href=\"https:\/\/needhamlibrary.org\/lot\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Library of Things<\/a> has many items to <em><strong>borrow<\/strong> <\/em>&#8211; like a Craftsman 57-piece Craftsman Toolkit, a pair of binoculars, a microscope, a go-pro camera, and a sewing machine.<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/ma-needham.civicplus.com\/index.aspx?NID=3111\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Needham RTS&#8217; Reuse-It Swap Shop<\/a> reduces the amount of reusable materials entering the waste stream by providing Needham residents with a place to conveniently give away usable items they no longer want or need, and find things they can use. The Swap Shop is open from April 1st through Nov. 30th, (and may open on a reduced schedule from Jan. through March), limited with some exceptions such as Paint Saturdays and times of extreme weather. Items are free.<\/li>\n<li>With<a href=\"https:\/\/www.freecycle.org\/town\/NeedhamMA\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"> Needham Freecycle<\/a>, you can offer goods for free, or request goods for free.<\/li>\n<li><span class=\"x193iq5w xeuugli x13faqbe x1vvkbs x1xmvt09 x1lliihq x1s928wv xhkezso x1gmr53x x1cpjm7i x1fgarty x1943h6x xudqn12 x3x7a5m x6prxxf xvq8zen xo1l8bm xi81zsa\" dir=\"auto\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/groups\/240988509812919\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Upcycle Needham Facebook Group<\/a> &#8211; Give, receive, lend, share, and show gratitude in hyper-local gift economies.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div class=\"ib\">\n<h4><strong>Repair\u00a0<\/strong><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-9498 alignright\" src=\"https:\/\/www.greenneedham.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/wellesley-repair-cafe-image_resized-12282023.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"170\" height=\"81\" \/><\/h4>\n<\/div>\n<ul>\n<li>Watch for a Needham Fix-It Clinic, where a volunteer Repair Coach will work with you through diagnosing and repairing your items such as textiles, clocks, lamps, small household appliances, and houseplants. Sponsored by the RTS and the Sustainability Dept. , the first was <a href=\"https:\/\/www.signupgenius.com\/go\/10C0448A9AF29A6FFCF8-62838769-fixit#\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">April 11, 2026<\/a> at the Needham Free Library.<br \/>\n<strong>Local Repair Shops:<\/strong><br \/>\n<strong>Shoe Repair<\/strong>:\u00a0 \u00a0Needham Shoe &#8211; Repair 91 Chapel St. Needham<br \/>\n<strong>Tailor<\/strong>:\u00a0 Hois Tailor Shop &#8211; 399 Chestnut St. Needham<\/li>\n<li><strong>Phone and Computer Repair<\/strong> uBreakiFix &#8211; 320 Washington St. Dedham<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Conserve resources and reduce energy use by keeping goods in use for as long as possible. Find out where to recycle, repair, donate, and purchase secondhand.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":20036,"parent":7259,"menu_order":1,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_EventAllDay":false,"_EventTimezone":"","_EventStartDate":"","_EventEndDate":"","_EventStartDateUTC":"","_EventEndDateUTC":"","_EventShowMap":false,"_EventShowMapLink":false,"_EventURL":"","_EventCost":"","_EventCostDescription":"","_EventCurrencySymbol":"","_EventCurrencyCode":"","_EventCurrencyPosition":"","_EventDateTimeSeparator":"","_EventTimeRangeSeparator":"","_EventOrganizerID":[],"_EventVenueID":[],"_OrganizerEmail":"","_OrganizerPhone":"","_OrganizerWebsite":"","_VenueAddress":"","_VenueCity":"","_VenueCountry":"","_VenueProvince":"","_VenueState":"","_VenueZip":"","_VenuePhone":"","_VenueURL":"","_VenueStateProvince":"","_VenueLat":"","_VenueLng":"","_VenueShowMap":false,"_VenueShowMapLink":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-20031","page","type-page","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.greenneedham.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/20031","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.greenneedham.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.greenneedham.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.greenneedham.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.greenneedham.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=20031"}],"version-history":[{"count":10,"href":"https:\/\/www.greenneedham.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/20031\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":20057,"href":"https:\/\/www.greenneedham.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/20031\/revisions\/20057"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.greenneedham.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/7259"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.greenneedham.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/20036"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.greenneedham.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=20031"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.greenneedham.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=20031"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.greenneedham.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=20031"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}