Trash or Treasure?
Your trash could be someone’s treasure.
We have too much stuff! It’s time to clean out the closets and sort things out. Keep, donate or trash? That old electric floor polisher and the outdated lamp don’t have to end up in the landfill though. Your trash could be someone’s treasure. That’s what yard sales and online classified ad sites like Kijiji and Used.ca are for!
What doesn’t sell can be donated and recycled. The David Suzuki Foundation and the Recycling Council of Ontario offer these tips:
Clothing, toys and household items: Value Village is the champion of recycling. You can drop off pretty much any item of clothing, linen, small appliances, toys, books and more. Local consignment shops are another option where you might make a bit of money on your high-end or gently-used belongings.
Did you know, you can donate your old eyeglasses at Hakim Optical, Pearl Vision and Lenscrafters.
Electronics: Staples Canada will recycle your electronics, batteries, ink cartridges, and even old pens and markers. Think Recycle is an innovative company that will pay you for your old electronics. Set up an account with them, send your unwanted electronics by mail (they cover the cost), and then you get paid.
Furniture: Furniture Banks Canada will pick up furniture that is in good condition and redistribute to families in need.
Assistive devices: The Canadian Red Cross, the Canadian Disability Resources Society, and ALS Canada are just some of the organizations that accept donations of previously-used equipment. In Orillia, the recycling and waste collection service includes an assistive device exchange program.
Services that come to your door:
The Canadian Diabetes Clothesline will pick up your used clothing, as will the Ontario Federation for Cerebral Palsy, plus they’ll take other small household items like dishes, towels and blankets too.
Markham Assisted Recycling Collection is a service for seniors and anyone who might have difficulty getting their garbage to the curb: a city worker will do that for you.
If you have leftover paint, aerosols and other hazardous products, arrange to have the Toronto Toxic Taxi pick up your waste.
When we make an effort to donate instead of dispose, we contribute to the cycle of giving and helping. Have any tips about re-using and recycling? Let us know and we’ll share them here.
Wheelchair in Motion’s accessible transportation rentals are available daily, for weekends and more. With van rentals available in the Greater Toronto Area and most areas of Ontario including Ottawa, we are here to assist with your accessible transportation needs. Contact us if you have any questions about accessible transportation van rentals.
