Perennial – a St. Louis-based nonprofit community workshop and store dedicated to creative reuse – offers educational programming to diverse populations, turning trash into treasure and teaching the community to do the same. Located in Dutchtown, Perennial was established as a resource for area residents to discover ways to reuse objects, reduce waste, and live a sustainable and self-sufficient lifestyle through the power of personal creativity. From eco-refinishing, to upholstery, to building new furniture from pallets, Perennial teaches creative classes to build a culture of sustainability in which discarded items are transformed into valued and cherished resources, and this month, the Clean Air Partnership is delighted to shine a spotlight on their green achievements having a positive eco-impact.
“Perennial enjoys being a leader in creative reuse education and a resource for anyone starting their sustainability journey,” said Katie Carpenter, executive director of Perennial. “The Challenge helps us prioritize efforts to strengthen, document, and share while connecting us to a local network of passionate partners committed to a greener region.”
As a participant in the 2023 St. Louis Green Business Challenge at the Apprentice Level, Perennial implemented several policies promoting sustainability in the workspace, including one to inform staff and customers of the organization’s commitment to sustainability and resourcefulness in both the workplace and the greater St. Louis community. Perennial also completed a Green Purchasing Policy to guide staff members in choosing environmentally conscious office supplies and class materials.
Furthering their dedication to waste diversion, Perennial scheduled an energy audit for the building to identify wasted energy and detect opportunities for energy efficiency upgrades. Additionally, the organization proudly increased the capacity of their clothing swaps, diverting more useful textiles from toxic landfills, including 2,400 pounds that were collected in a single afternoon event. The clothing swaps are a great way to build a new wardrobe with the planet and air quality in mind, allowing individuals to bring in clothes they no longer want and take home new-to-you items from the swap as a greener, economical alternative.
Perennial’s educational initiatives included installing signage showing how to properly dispose of waste in the workshop and encouraging recycling and composting to minimize landfill disposal. Moreover, the organization published an online resource guide to help people reduce, reuse or repair items when possible, as well as presented on the circularity panel for the Missouri Recycling Association Conference.
For more information about Perennial and how your company can get involved in the St. Louis Green Business Challenge, subscribe to their bi-monthly E-Newsletter or visit stlouisgreenchallenge.com. For more on the link between sustainability and air quality, explore the Clean Air Partnership’s website, like us on Facebook or follow us on X, formerly known as Twitter, @gatewaycleanair.