Did you know?
Stormwater picks up harmful pollutants from streets and carries them straight into our streams. By redirecting rainwater with gutters into storage systems, you can help protect Bellingham’s waterway and save money on your water bill!
Benefits of Rainwater Harvesting
Building your own rainwater harvesting system can help you:
- Protect local streams by minimizing runoff
- Lower your summer water bills
- Reduce use of drinking water on landscaping
- Give your plants chlorine-free water they’ll love
Why We Built One
As a 401(c) nonprofit rooted in sustainability, we wanted to inspire residents to build systems of their own. In 2011, The RE Store built a rainwater catchment system with support from the City of Bellingham. This hands-on project truly took a village, over 19 local businesses and organizations contributed their time and resources to make it happen.
We’ve been using harvested rainwater ever since, collecting up to 825 gallons from our roof to water herbs, veggies, and flowers in our RE Patch behind the warehouse. It’s more than a garden, the RE Patch is a space for learning, connection, and sustainable living.
Our elevated IBC totes use gravity to feed a drip irrigation system, which delivers water directly to plant roots. This method minimizes evaporation and runoff, making it more efficient than hoses or sprinklers. Want to try this at home? Free plans are available on cob.org! But before you buy new, check our inventory! We often receive donations of food-safe IBC totes, like the two we recently priced at half retail: $150 each.
Get Involved!
For more DIY tips, visit our blog at re-store.org and follow us on Facebook at @therestore.
Interested in volunteering in the RE Patch?
📧 Reach out to our Volunteer Coordinator, Tyler: tylerd@re-store.org
Thank you!
We are so grateful to the volunteers and sponsors who’ve helped build and maintain the RE Patch:
City of Bellingham Public Works
Tree Frog Farms • Cascadia Mushrooms
Growsource • Cloud Mountain Farm Center
Plantas Nativa • The Gardens at Padden Creek
Sunbreak Nursery • Shelterbelt, Inc.
Sunseed Farm • Treemendous Plantworks
Whatcom Conservation District • Joe’s Gardens
The Garden Spot • Earthworks Tree Service
DeWilde’s Nursery • Starkenburg Shavings
Bakerview Nursery & Garden Center