Next “Giveaway Day” is this Saturday, June 22

Published on: 2019/06/17 - in News

Kingston residents are invited to take part in “Giveaway Day” this Saturday, June 22 by putting out reusable items you no longer want for your neighbours who might like to have them.

The City is promoting this event as one of the ways it’s working to meet the goal of diverting 65 per cent of household waste from landfill.

“Get in the spirit of Giveaway Day. Put out your unwanted items. Treasure hunt! Think in terms of getting use out of existing items versus throwing them out to end up in landfill,” said Heather Roberts, director of solid waste. “Use Giveaway Days to help divert 65 per cent of Kingston’s household waste from landfill where it is of no use to anyone and contributes to climate-changing greenhouse gas emissions.”

You can share pictures of your Giveaway Day items on Twitter using the hashtag #WasteNotYGK.

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Giveaway Day Guidelines provided by the City:

Only set out appropriate items that you know someone else might want.

  • Appropriate: books, CDs, DVDs, furniture and small appliances, electronics, construction materials (including drywall, lumber, hardware), kitchen gadgets, dishes, cutlery, pots and pans and, yes, unwanted gifts.
  • Inappropriate: the Consumer Product Safety Bureau of Health Canada advises that these items should not be given away (or picked-up): baby walkers, cribs, car seats, strollers, playpens, bath seats, mattresses, blinds and toys.

How to put items out:

  • Place items at the curb in front of your home.
  • Place stickers or signs on the items with the word ‘FREE.’
  • Ensure any items that you do not want taken are kept away from items placed at the curb.
  • At the end of the day, bring any uncollected items back in to your home. The City will not collect unwanted items left at the curb. Consider donating them to a local charity.

How to pick items up:

  • Respect other people’s property: don’t walk on people’s lawns or gardens.
  • Take only the items marked ‘FREE’ and placed at the curb.
  • Don’t leave previously picked up items on the curb at other people’s property.

Photo: Kyle MacDonald (cc)