Kingston residents can take part in “Giveaway Day” this Saturday by putting out reusable items that are no longer wanted so interested neighbours can pick it up for themselves.
The City is promoting the August 17th event as one of the ways it is working to help meet its goal to divert household waste from ending up in landfill.
“Giveaway Days can help divert 65 per cent of Kingston’s household waste from landfill where it contributes to climate-changing greenhouse gas emissions and leachate,” says Heather Roberts, director of solid waste. “Waste not, want not! Using items people give away keeps them out of landfill – it also saves you the money and reduces the packaging waste associated with buying new items.”
You can share pictures of your Giveaway Day items on Twitter using the hashtag #WasteNotYGK.
The City has provided the following guidelines for Giveway Day:
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: Matthew Hurst (cc)
