By Ann Savageau

Cool Davis is pleased to recognize the UCD Aggie Reuse Store with a Climate Solutions Award in the Consumption Category.

In 2012, after two years of extensive groundwork and help from faculty mentor Prof. Ann Savageau, UC Davis graduate students Carol Shu and Margot Bennett, founded the UC Davis Aggie Reuse Store.

The store’s general mission is to reduce consumption and lower greenhouse gases by diverting post-consumer materials from the waste stream and offer them at low cost to the community, thereby benefiting students affected by rising tuition and living expenses.

Not your typical thrift store, the Aggie Reuse Store aims to raise awareness of the creative reuse possibilities inherent in a wide range of products.  As such, it helps fulfill the People, Profit, Planet sustainability triad.

Nationally it is one of only a handful of such student-run stores, and has received widespread attention from other California and out of state campuses.

Nationally it is one of only a handful of such student-run stores, and has received widespread attention from other California and out of state campuses.

Currently, 40 student volunteers, with oversight from Unit Director Nicole Garcia, run the store.  Volunteers also conduct a robust program of art teams that create new products from discarded materials, and post photos online for viewers to follow.

The store offers a wide range of merchandise, including clothing, accessories, books, school and craft supplies.

Nicole Garcia estimates that the store has diverted over four tons of campus waste during its four years of operation.  With each passing year, the store continues to grow in profits and impact.

The Aggie Reuse Store can be found on Facebook at facebook.com/aggierestore.  It is open 10 am to 4 pm, Monday through Friday.

2016 Climate Solutions Award: Consumption

2016 Cool Davis Award Recipients

Eco-Heroes: Lisa Baker, Steven Wheeler, Parvaneh Keivanfar and Dana “Alex” Gray, Mike Hart

Climate Solutions: Mutual Housing Yolo, Davis Bicycles!, UC Davis Aggie Reuse Store

Each year Cool Davis recognizes individual Davis residents as Eco-Heroes. The winners are residents who model how to incorporate sustainable practices into their work, civic, and everyday lives. Acting out of personal conviction, they do “the right thing” for themselves, our community, and our planet.

The Cool Davis Climate Solution Awards go to local businesses, groups, or organizations for exemplary efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.  As they model ways to reduce their environmental impact, they become leaders in creating options to conserve resources, reduce fossil fuel dependence, and stabilize the climate.

In its efforts to work with our community on carbon reduction and sustainability, Cool Davis awards focus on Energy, Transportation, and Consumption.