Support ILSR's Work

Recycling Pioneers, including ILSR's Neil Seldman and Brenda Platt, gather at Blue Mountain Center to initiate an archival history of the recycling movement.

On-line Donation:

Donations by Mail:

Institute for Local Self-Reliance
927 15th ST NW, 4th FL
Washington, DC 20005

Donations by Phone:

• Make a contribution over the phone using a credit card by calling John Bailey in ILSR's Minnesota office at 612-379-3815 ext. 211.

Since 1974, the Institute for Local Self-Reliance has been working to enable communities with tools to increase economic effectiveness, reduce wastes and negative environmental impacts and provide for community ownership of the infrastructure and resources essential for community well-being. Part of our approach is to keep an open mind about what constitutes an economic resource. Thus, we seek to convert “wastes” into valuable resources that provide community development opportunities.

"Skilled and well paid 'Second Chance' deconstruction crew working on an ILSR project site, 2007" Photo: Chloe Seldman

“Waste to Wealth” happens when trash is sorted and recycled and becomes a valuable resource. When buildings are “deconstructed” with care, harvesting materials for reuse, jobs and income are created. The need for processing new timber, steel and bricks is avoided. Energy is saved. When a community's leaves are composted, as the District of Columbia began doing in 2007 (photo to left) with help from ILSR, they add to the humus that builds the soil.

When communities own their telecommunications and broadband infrastructure and make their own decisions about the production of electricity and the use of fossil fuels, they have greater independence and greater control over their economic future. And they protect their environment. When they invest in local businesses and shop locally, they generate greater economic wealth for their neighborhood.

Stacy Mitchell, Senior Researcher for ILSR, presents her nationally recognized "Big Box Swindle" work to halt big box development and support local and community owned business.

And when people like you support the Institute for Local Self-Reliance with a donation, they make sure that ILSR will be around to halt the next generation of trash incinerators (that are currently being planned and installed across the country.) Your financial support is needed to help ILSR advance solutions to economic and environmental issues.

Donate today and become a part of the solution! We promise to recycle your contribution into action that works to protect our environment and strengthen community-focused economics.

ILSR is a tax-exempt 501(c)(3) organization