‘Waste Not, Want Not’ this Saturday on Giveaway Day

Kingstonians can put out reusable items they no longer want to offer to neighbours who might like them on Saturday, Aug. 17, 2019.

“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,” said Heather Roberts, director of solid waste for the City of Kingston. “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.”

The City’s guidelines for Giveaway Day include only setting out appropriate items that someone else might want. Items such as books, CDs, DVDs, furniture and small appliances, electronics, construction materials, kitchen gadgets, dishes, and similar items are all appropriate to give away. Items that the Consumer Product Safety Bureau of Health Canada advises should not be given away such as baby walkers, cribs, car seats, strollers, playpens, bath seats, mattresses, blinds and toys are not allowed to be put out on Giveaway Day.

To participate, community members can place items with a sign or sticker saying “FREE” at the curb of in front of their home. At the end of the day, any uncollected items must be picked up as the City will not collect unwanted items left at the curb.

Community members can take any items marked ‘FREE’ and placed at the curb. The City asks those participating in Giveaway Day to to respect other people’s property by refraining from walking on people’s lawns or gardens and not leaving previously picked up items on the curb at other people’s property.

Pictures of Giveaway Day items can be shared on Twitter under the hashtag #WasteNotYGK.

For more detailed guidelines, visit www.CityofKingston.ca/Giveaway.