The City of Wayne Green Team presented Thrift Warehouse with its Zero Hero award recognizing outstanding work in reducing, reusing, and recycling within the community of Wayne.
The presentation was made during last week's Chamber Coffee, which was hosted by the Green Team in observance of Earth Day.
Thrift Warehouse opened in 2016, selling used household goods, then started selling used clothes on consignment. The bulk of their business is from clothing. Thrift Warehouse takes in an average of 5,000 pieces of clothing each month for resale.
Owned by Tanner Schopke since 2018, Thrift Warehouse also recycles whatever possible, including all cardboard, glass and paper. They do not buy any new bags, but reuse whatever comes into the store through donation.
They refer children’s clothing to Micah’s Closet in Wayne, and if bedding comes in that isn’t fit for use, it is donated to dog rescues. Any clothing they cannot sell is saved and picked up for sorting and reselling, or made into insulation.
“We are proud to recognize Thrift Warehouse and Tanner for their impact in reducing waste in the community and leading secondhand use of clothing, household goods, and more,” said Sandy Brown, chair of the City of Wayne Green Team. “We thank Thrift Warehouse for being a Zero Waste leader in our community.”
Founded in 2009, the Wayne Green Team is a group of community volunteers, city personnel and Wayne State College partners focused on minimizing waste and increasing sustainable behavior.
Find more information about the Wayne Green Team on Facebook and at www.cityofwayne.org/greenteam.
