Finding New Uses for Old Treasures at Let It Go - Swap & Flea Market

On Friday, August 29th, ZIRAN and MinnSea Academy hosted the first-ever Let It Go Swap & Flea Market outside of Greenwood Elementary in Plymouth, Minnesota. This event was supported by the Hennepin County Community Zero Waste Grant Program and proved to be a positive and successful celebration of Chinese culture, community engagement, and environmental stewardship.

Roughly 50 families showed up as vendors, selling new and used goods at tables along the sidewalk outside of the elementary school. This was a new experience for many Chinese community members, many of whom are used to only buying new things. The five-hour event showcased the value of well-maintained durable goods. Of the approximately 400 attendees, many walked away with items that may not have been new but that were new to them.

Vendors expressed their delight at being able to send their old items away with people who could give them a new purpose. “The biggest reward,” said one, “was that my daughter cleaned out her toys and cleaned her room, sorting out so many things she didn’t need. She had no idea she had so many.” Now, her toys could find new homes with other children, more excited to play with them.

Another vendor echoed the sentiment, saying, “I met so many new and old friends, and I came back home with two empty bins!”

One of the event organizers, Jing, compared the event to Facebook Marketplace, noting that both the event and online marketplaces offer great ways to find used items at heavily discounted prices. However, swap events like Let It Go reduce the need for time-consuming online communication and can provide a sense of community. She said that neighborhood garage sales are also great ways to repurpose old items that still have value. “I did it when my kids were little, and it was a lot of fun. They never imagined they could make money from their unwanted stuff. Connecting with neighbors and making connections with new friends are other benefits.”

While most vendors did not make a lot of money, they were pleased to empty their bins and to enjoy the evening’s cultural aspects. Attendees enjoyed live music, games, and dance. Also among the top highlights were the decorative lanterns strung across the street. They gave the event a delightfully festive feel, especially when the evening grew darker.

Guests couldn’t stop raving about the drinks provided by Blackwater Coffee & Cafe, especially their signature hot chocolate, “Muddy Water,” and the rich, flavorful “Nutty Chai” tea. The homemade desserts from the young female entrepreneurs of Baked with Blessing were also a hit: delicious, fragrant, and thoughtfully served in compostable containers, effectively reducing landfill waste at the event.

Taiwanese Sausages brought a nostalgic taste of home with their traditional handmade foods, adding a warm cultural touch to the night market atmosphere. Backyard Raw Honey’s organic honey from Maple Grove sold out quickly, while Eartha drew a good crowd with its beautiful and eco-friendly handmade jewelry made from recycled glass!

The organizers further want to thank West Metro Chinese Church for their support, not only for their time and effort, but for all the conveniences they provided.

Thank you, too, to Principal He, the teachers, and the volunteers from MinnSea Academy for their thoughtful and creative planning, event setup, and cleaning. Their hard work transformed this swap into a memorable event for everyone!

Meanwhile, ZIRAN’s co-founders were present at the event, along with their minimal waste station, helping people correctly sort compostable and recyclable materials from waste. Even more importantly, they saw that the event served as a fun and successful way to encourage people to consider secondhand shopping and sales as waste-reduction strategies. Many of the people who came to the event are more likely to consider buying used goods, and they may also consider helping find new homes for their used items, rather than discarding them.

Indeed, many of the families who set up tables were shocked by how many things they owned that they no longer needed. Some of them told us they may rethink their future purchases in order to embrace a simpler lifestyle, and if they do, we will count this first-ever Let It Go Swap & Flea Market a true success, one that could lead to powerful and lasting change.

Finally, thank you to everyone who attended! You made the evening memorable and the work worthwhile. We hope to see you again at future events. Until then, think twice before you discard your old items. Maybe someone else could make better use of them.