The Motherlode Mercantile, Pitkin County Solid Waste Center’s next foray into waste diversion, launches on June 3, 2022. This new retail venture aims to divert quality furniture, sports equipment, architectural salvage, lighting and plumbing fixtures, decorative items, and landscaping materials.
The space will take the place of the Drop and Swap area that has been at the landfill for years. “The Motherlode Mercantile is the next level of keeping good reusable items out of the landfill,” said Cathy Hall, Pitkin County Solid Waste Director. “Being in the Roaring Fork Valley, we see a lot of really good reusable items, unfortunately, much of it ends up in the landfill because we lacked the space to properly store it and protect it from the elements. ”The Mercantile will serve as a donation point as well, receiving reusable items for a tax deduction.
In addition, the Solid Waste Center already takes in textiles and books for recycling and reuse. The Motherlode Mercantile, due to space constraints, does not plan to sell books or textiles in the store, instead, these items will continue to be outsourced to reuse distribution facilities, but are still eligible for a tax deduction. “We want the Mercantile to be another outlet in the Valley for reuse” said Hall, “I want us to be the go-to place for someone who needs a dresser for their child’s bedroom or the crafty artist who refinishes furniture or makes chairs from used skis.
”The Motherlode Mercantile is housed in a temporary location at the landfill, with plans to build a larger facility in the future.
For more information visit TheMotherlodeMercantile.com or call the Solid Waste Center 970-429-2880.
A very successful summer from The Motherlode Mercantile at the Pitkin County Landfill was highlighted by the many happy people with smiles because they did not have to trash their usable goods. Just as many smiling faces came from shoppers finding items they needed, for so cheap! With a little love and a few dollars, members of the reuse, reduce, recycle community kept 139 tons/1300 cubic yards of landfill space diverted to reuse, perhaps also reducing trips to superstores and shipments from online. An average of 35 transactions a day all summer long got oodles of furniture, home goods, sporting goods construction supplies, art, unknown treasures of all kinds and even live plants diverted from the landfill! We are so glad to contribute to facilitating a sustainable, reuse culture. Thanks to everyone who came out to the dirt to donate and treasure hunt.
