Need to find a new home for old computers, toys your kids have outgrown, or paint you're not going to use? Here is our guide to getting stuff out of your basement and into all the right places—that is, everywhere but the landfill.
Find out how to recycle everything from cereal box tops to soda tabs in New Canaan.
Clothing & Toys: Cleaning out your closet gives you the opportunity to help others in need or maybe even make some extra cash. Here's where to donate, sell and recycle unwanted items from your wardrobe, as well as your children's clothes and toys:
Thrift Shop of New Canaan
The Pink Plume
The Silk Purse
Residents may also may donate their gently used clothes to Person-to-Person's free Clothing Center in Darien, and furniture may be donated at the Norwalk location. Visit www.p2pHelps.org for more information.
Electronics, Computers, Cellphones: Even though that old computer and last year's iPhone seem outdated, there are plenty of people who could put them to good use. For example, many women’s shelters collect working cellphones for women in domestic abuse situations so they can call 911 if needed, explains HowStuffWorks.com. Staples will recycle the electronics on this list and New Canaan residents can put electronics in their recycling bins and bring them to the Transfer Station.
Household Goods & Furniture: Ever go through your garage and wonder why you have so many flyswatters, toasters and gardening gloves? Consider bartering them online on Craigslist or Freecycle or donating to the following local organizations.
Thrift Shop of New Canaan
The Silk Purse
Paint: It's safe to dry out your leftover latex paint with kitty litter, dump it in the garbage and recycle the can. But, oil-based paints are actually considered hazardous, according to TheDailyGreen.com. Safely discard your paint at the Household Hazardous Waste Day on Sept. 21 at The Wastewater Plant (394 Main Street).
Paper, Glass & Plastic: According to environment.about.com, recycling one ton of paper can save 17 trees, 7,000 gallons of water, 380 gallons of oil, 3.3 cubic yards of landfill space and 4,000 kilowatts of energy. Residents can bring their recyclables to the Transfer Station Monday through Saturday.
Recycling for Charities & Schools:
Soda Can Tabs: Many charitable organizations such as Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC) collect soda pop tabs in fund raising efforts. After the tabs are collected, they bring them to local recycling centers where they are weighed to determine their value. The recycling center then sends the local RMHC chapter a check for the total value.
Cereal Box Tops: A lot of schools collect these to make money for their PTAs and other organizations. Every little bit helps. You can find a list of participating products here and a list of drop-off spots below.
West Elementary School
St. Aloysius School
South Elementary School
Saxe Middle School
What did we miss? Tell us where you're recycling, reselling and donating your gently used items.
[Editor's Note: This article has been corrected to reflect that New Canaan does not have curbside pickup for recyclable items.]
