Reuse & Repair
Keeping products in use is one of the most effective ways to reduce waste and conserve resources. The Community Environmental Council (CEC) works to promote closed-loop systems that reduce waste and fossil fuel emissions. Whether you buy secondhand, repair a broken item, or donate something you no longer need, every choice helps build a more circular economy and keeps valuable materials out of the landfill.
HOW YOU CAN TAKE ACTION
Repair Before You Replace
Join us for Repair Cafe Santa Barbara, a free, community-powered event where volunteers help fix broken items instead of sending them to the landfill. Bring up to two items — such as clothing, electronics, bikes, furniture, toys, small appliances, or knives for sharpening — and work alongside skilled fixers to bring them back to life.
CEC partnered with Repair Cafe Santa Barbara to bring the internationally recognized Repair Cafe model to Santa Barbara. Together, we host free bimonthly events where volunteer fixers repair household items, share practical skills, and build community around reuse. In our first two events, nearly 200 items were brought in for repair, with more than 100 successfully repaired.
Shop Secondhand First
Buying clothing, furniture, cars, and other household items secondhand lengthens the lifespan of products and reduces what ends up in the landfill. It can also help you save a lot of money, and cultivate a unique style!
New to shopping secondhand? Start by exploring Stop Fast Fashion, a resource created by CEC Climate Stewards alumna Debra Eve, to learn how your clothing choices affect people and the planet. Then install Beni, a free, Santa Barbara-founded browser extension that helps you find secondhand versions of products while you shop online. When you're ready to shop locally, explore the Central Coast secondhand resources below.
Donate Items You No Longer Need
Give clothing, furniture, and household goods a second life by donating them to local organizations instead of sending them to the landfill.
Chose Quality Over Quantity
Buy durable products that can be repaired, reused, or passed along when you're finished with them.
Share These Resources
Help friends and neighbors embrace reuse by sharing this guide and encouraging them to repair, reuse, and shop secondhand.
WHERE TO SHOP SecondHand
San Luis Obispo County
Multiple locations across Monterey, Santa Cruz, and San Luis Obispo Counties
https://www.ccgoodwill.org/
Multiple locations across Monterey, Santa Cruz, and San Luis Obispo Counties
https://www.ccgoodwill.org/
Santa Barbara County
Ventura County
525 W El Roblar Dr, Meiners Oaks, CA 93023
229 W El Roblar Dr, Meiners Oaks, CA 93023
110 N Signal St, Ojai, CA 93023
https://www.instagram.com/treasuresofojai/
Mostly antiques, with some clothing and smaller items.
922 E Ojai Ave, Ojai, CA 93023
The owner, Violet, also makes gorgeous herbal bar soaps.
106 Park Rd, Ojai, CA 93023
https://www.facebook.com/streetsofvintage/
https://streetsofvintagefleamarket.com/
749 S Oxnard Blvd, Oxnard
(805) 263-0910
http://www.arcfoundationvc.org/thrift-stores/
Ventura Location - 265 East Main Street, Ventura 93001
Oxnard Location - 625 North Oxnard Blvd, Oxnard 93030
