Reuse Race MN

The Great Reuse Race in Minnesota was a two-week long scavenger hunt through the Twin Cities reuse community from April 9-22, 2012. The event, which was hosted locally by Reuse Alliance MN, had 17 physical stops and 11 virtual stops. Be sure to follow our event on Twitter (ReuseRaceMN) and Facebook (ReuseRaceMN).

Click HERE to be directed to the winner’s page.

Scroll through our webpage to find out all you need to know about the event, or use the jump links to direct you to a specific piece of information you’re looking for:

OVERVIEW

How to Race:

Racers receive a list of clues and an answer sheet via e-mail upon completion of registration. Racers should print out this e-mail and bring it with them to all physical stops. See below for specific physical and virtual stop instructions. NOTE: Registration for Reuse Race MN 2012 is closed.

Physical stops

  1. Use the list of race stops to answer the physical stop clues.
  2. Verify store hours and address.
  3. Visit the store and get your answer sheet stamped by a staff member in the corresponding space (e.g. Physical clue 1 would be stamped in PS1).

Virtual stops

  1. Use the list of race stops to answer the virtual stop clues.
  2. Visit the organization’s website to answer the clue.
  3. Write your answer in the corresponding space (e.g. Virtual clue 1 would be stamped in VS1).

Hints were posted on our Facebook and Twitter during the race.

To submit your answer sheet:

  1. Turn your answer sheet in to any of the physical stops by April 30, 2012
  2. E-mail an electronic copy to tgrr-mn@reusealliance.org by 11:59pm on April 30, 2012
  3. Mail to the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, c/o The Great Reuse Race, 520 Lafayette Rd. N., St. Paul, MN 55155 postmarked April 30, 2012

Depending on the number of completed clues, racers will be placed into either the Gold (100% correct completion), Silver (75% correct completion) or Bronze (50% correct completion) categories for the prize drawing. Winners were posted on The Great Reuse Race website on May 11, 2012.  Click here for more information about rules and regulations.

FINISH LINE PARTY

The Finish Line Party was held on April 22, 2012 to celebrate the end of the race at Arc’s Value Village Thrift Store in St. Paul. Door prizes, creative reuse projects, and grab bags were a few of the party highlights. We also hosted a Refashion Show, featuring clothing from Arc’s Value Village, Assistance League Thrift Shop, and East Side Thrift Store.

Door Prizes included: $50 Arc’s Value Village gift card, two $25 Arc’s Value Village gift cards, two kitchen countertop compost bins (Linden Hills Power & Light), four Science Museum of Minnesota admissions with omnitheater tickets, a Natural Built Home water-saving bathroom package, and a Bryn Mawr Soap Company gift set.

REGISTRATION

PRIZES

By participating in The Great Reuse Race, you have the opportunity to win some of these fabulous prizes! Note: This is not a full list, it is a sampling of our actual prizes. Most stores will also offer an in-store discount to racers who present their answer sheet.

Gold Level Prizes

  • Refurbished Apple iPad (provided by University of Minnesota Bookstores)
  • Refurbished DuoCore Lenovo X61 laptop with Windows 7  (provided by Minnesota Computers for Schools)
  • Custom Bike Buildout (provided by Re-Cycle)

Silver Level Prizes

  • Complimentary one-night stay with breakfast for two at a downtown hotel (provided by Hilton Garden Inn Minneapolis Downtown)
  • Two tickets to any 2012 theater production (provided by Guthrie Theater)
  • Two 20 pt Nickelodeon Universe passes, two passes to Moose Mountain, and a 2012 MOA coupon book (provided by Mall of America)
  • Epiphone acoustic guitar  (provided by Music Go Round in Woodbury)
  • A children’s birthday party for 15 children or 10 adults (provided by Art Start)
  • Two tickets to any 2012 theater production (provided by Jungle Theater)
  • Climbing class for up to 10 people (provided by Midwest Mountaineering)
  • Reusable moving gear package worth $188, that includes a 3-bedroom two week bundle + 3 wardrobe boxes, moving dolly, and free pick-up/delivery (provided by FROGBOX)
  • One used bicycle or a comprehensive bicycle repair service (provided by Mr. Michael Recycles Bicycles)
  • $60 gift card to the Wedge Community Co-op

Bronze Level Prizes

  • Complete bike tune-up (provided by The Hub Bike Co-op)
  • $50 gift certificate to Best Buy
  • $50 gift card to Appliance Depot (2)
  • $50 gift certificate to Bauer Brothers Salvage
  • $50 gift certificate to University of Minnesota Reuse
  • 4 tickets to “Rembrandt in America” Exhibit (provided by Minneapolis Institute of Arts)
  • $25 gift certificate to Galactic Pizza
  • $25 gift certificate to Blue Plate Restaurant Co. establishment (e.g.  The Lowry, Highland Grill, Longfellow Grill, Groveland Tap, etc.)
  • $25 gift certificate to J&F Reddy Rents
  • $25 gift certificate to Sixth Chamber Used Books
  • $25 gift certificate to Hidden Treasures Thrift Store
  • Water-saving bathroom package (provided by Natural Built Home)
  • Tiffany style table lamp (provided by Goodwill/Easter Seals MN)

RACE STOPS

Here’s a list of our participating physical and virtual stops. If you’re using public transit, be sure to use Metro Transit to plan out your best race route.

Physical Stops (Please see the hours of operation and location(s) for each stop)

Virtual Stops

SPONSORS

We would like to thank our generous sponsors for making our first event possible:

* Indicates sponsor is not a physical or virtual stop.

CONTACT INFO

To learn more about The Great Reuse Race, send an e-mail to tgrr@reusealliance.org.

LOCAL HOST

The Great Reuse Race is hosted locally by Reuse Alliance MN. The Minnesota chapter upholds the national mission of connecting, promoting, and supporting reuse organizations throughout the state; and spreads awareness about the environmental, social, and economic benefits of reuse. In addition, our chapter has taken on several unique and groundbreaking projects.

In June of 2011, the chapter distributed a survey to determine the “state of reuse” in Minnesota. Findings are available online. The chapter is also working on a project called, “Measure Your Treasure” in partnership with the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency and the Institute for Local Self-Reliance. This work will synthesize what “impact data” that reuse organizations are currently measuring, or have the potential to measure (e.g. tons diverted from landfill, number of families assisted). From this basic data, we will be able to highlight all of the environmental, social, and economic benefits of reuse.

Reuse Alliance MN also offers members marketing and outreach opportunities. Since May 2011, we have spoken at the National Furniture Bank Association Conference, conducted a workshop (Choose to Reuse: For People, Planet, and Profit) at the Northland Bioneers Conference, exhibited at the Recycling Association of Minnesota Conference, hosted Twin Cities Green Drinks February 2012 through May 2012, presented and exhibited at the Living Green Expo, and more.

For more information about the Minnesota chapter, contact Arielle Courtney, Chapter Coordinator, at Arielle@reusealliance.org.

PLANNING COMMITTEE

Our planning committee members hope you enjoy the race!

  • Arielle Courtney, Reuse Alliance
  • Colleen Hetzel, Minnesota Pollution Control Agency
  • MaryEllen Etienne, Reuse Alliance
  • Sarah Haas, MnTAP
  • Stacey White, University of Minnesota Reuse Program
  • Tamara Gillard, MN Computers to Schools