#WasteNotYGK: City caps Waste Reduction Week with Giveaway Day

With addressing climate change top of mind for many, diverting items from landfill is an important step in waste reduction.

To cap off Waste Reduction Week, which runs from Oct 18 to 24, the City of Kingston is holding a Giveaway Day on Saturday, Oct. 23, 2021. From 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., Kingston residents are invited to put out reusable items they no longer want for their neighbours who might like them.  

“Participating in Giveaway Day is a great way to mark Waste Reduction Week, because it helps divert items from landfill. When people find Giveaway Day items they can use, they are also reducing the packaging and greenhouse gas emissions associated with buying new items,” said Adam Mueller, Acting Supervisor of Solid Waste.

During Waste Reduction Week the City will be sharing waste reduction tips on their social media accounts, according to a release from the City. Kingstonians are invited to share pictures of waste-reduction ideas – and  Giveaway Day items – on Twitter or Instagram using the hashtag #WasteNotYGK.  

The City provided these Giveaway Day guidelines:

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. 

Find these guidelines at www.CityofKingston.ca/Giveaway.