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This Earth Day, let’s reflect on the environmental impact of our consumption habits and the positive change small adjustments can bring. Discover how embracing thrift shopping and supporting local Chamber businesses can contribute to a more sustainable lifestyle, reducing waste and promoting community resilience for a greener future.

The Ditty Bag Market and Cafe

At the Ditty Bag Market and Café in Mystic, they honor tradition by embracing a zero-waste lifestyle, empowering their community to do the same. They curate products free from plastic packaging and microplastics, such as Ethique shampoo bars, offering effective, eco-friendly alternatives. By prioritizing lightweight, bulk items and encouraging the use of reusable containers, they strive to minimize their carbon footprint while providing essential goods to their customers.

Habitat for Humanity ReStore

Habitat for Humanity ReStores, nonprofit home improvement stores and donation centers operated by Habitat for Humanity of Eastern Connecticut, play a vital role in promoting sustainability by selling building materials, furniture, and home accessories at reduced prices while diverting reusable materials from landfills. Revenue generated from these stores supports Habitat’s mission to build safe, decent, and affordable homes locally, fostering community development and environmental conservation. With two stores in Eastern Connecticut (Plainfield and Waterford) Habitat for Humanity continues to make a meaningful impact on both housing affordability and environmental sustainability.

Goodwill of Southern New England

Goodwill of Southern New England, a community-focused organization, operates 16 second-hand retail stores and several donation centers across south-central and eastern Connecticut and Rhode Island, fostering sustainability by promoting thrifting and reusing goods. With donation bins conveniently located throughout the region, Goodwill encourages the recycling of unwanted items, diverting them from landfills. Every purchase and donation made at their stores contributes to their mission of providing employment, education, and social opportunities for individuals facing challenges, exemplifying the transformative power of sustainable practices in community development.

By embracing thrift shopping and supporting local Chamber businesses we can collectively work toward a greener future, reducing waste and fostering sustainability in our everyday lives.


Support the businesses that support you 

Spend $100 at a small business and nearly half of it stays in the community. Why? Local businesses rely on each other for operations and marketing support, and they hire local talent. When local business thrives, property values rise, housing demand increases, more people are encouraged to start a business, and communities flourish.

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