What We Do
The program facilitates new use opportunities for operating supplies, classroom and creative materials, office furniture, and small fixtures in new and like new condition at its facility in Devens, MA. This innovative program started in 2007 as a one-time swap event that brought 20 businesses and non-profits in Devens together to potentially repurpose 16 materials that were routinely being thrown away. The Great Exchange now engages hundreds of municipal, not-for-profit, commercial, and industrial entities throughout Massachusetts and across state lines. Currently, it features an inventory of more than 900 different materials. The Great Exchange is hosted by the nonprofit Devens Eco-Efficiency Center, a 501c3 organization.
Our 2023 Annual Impact Report highlights the program’s accomplishments and features some of the many organizations the program partnered with and provided value to.
Staff and Prized Volunteers
Dona Neely, Executive Director: For the past 20 years Dona has been integrating sustainability initiatives into the operations of commercial, industrial, government and non-profit institutions. Her true passion centers on the prevention of waste, which inspired her to launch The Great Exchange. For the past 15 years she has been grateful for the continued growth of the program and the difference it makes.
Amanda Lansing, Program Manager: Reducing waste and reusing resources to help the environment is a passion near and dear to Amanda’s heart. Being part of a waste management study at the Boston airport inspired her to move her professional career towards sustainability. As the Program Administrator for TGE, she melds two of her biggest passions, creating important connections with local community members and helping to reduce waste.
Laurie Sabol: As the daughter of parents who lived through the Depression, Laurie learned the value of reducing and reusing items early in life. For the past 16 years she’s chaired the Ayer Recycling Committee, where she works to educate and inform town residents about the 3Rs. The committee’s two annual events have diverted over 20 tons of materials over the past 11 years.
Jane Breed: Jane learned about TGE from a local newspaper article and made the decision to volunteer after retiring, and we are so grateful she did! She enjoys the variety of inventory and, as she puts it, “we never know what treasures we will encounter from week to week!”
Marge Fischer and Nellie Benjamin: Marge and Nellie are recently retired and are happy to offer some of their time, especially when volunteer time means play time. Their time, creativity and ideas are so appreciated!
Mary Perez: Mary was diagnosed with Autism at a young age. Guided by the determination to have Mary experience a sense of belonging in her community, the family supported Mary to connect with local organizations in need of help thru volunteerism. With that vision, Mary’s Kindness Mission was born. TGE is a fortunate recipient of Mary’s mission and she has become a valued member of our team. Everyday she shows her family and her community that her big heart, not her Autism, is what really matters.