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By ADAM McNAUGHTON
Pocono Record Writer
September 17, 2008
Do you have unused stuff you have been meaning to get rid of but instead it is just taking up room?
Most people do, and a lot of that stuff ends up getting thrown out and going into landfills.
That's why Rita Lacey, of Chestnuthill Township, organized a Give and Take Day event for Ross Township residents this Saturday at VanBuskirk-Haney Park, off Anchorage Road.
"The idea is to reuse items rather than put them in a landfill," Lacey said. "Our goal is to try to landfill nothing at the end of the day."
A Give and Take Day is a way to encourage reuse of unwanted items in the community. The event works a little like a yard sale, but without money changing hands. It's a chance to clean out closets of good-condition items and pick up others that you might need.
From 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Sept. 20, Ross Township residents can bring unwanted but usable items to the park and drop them off. At 1 p.m. the donated items will be available for pickup to Township residents. By keeping unwanted items in the hands of people that can use them, they stay out of landfills.
Anyone who donates items early in the day will be entered in drawings for gift certificates, organic food from local farms and recycled goods. The only rule is that items must be in decent condition and usable and the event is only open to Ross Township residents.
Lacey says she heard about Give and Take Days after similar events became popular in the United Kingdom. If the Ross Township event is a success, she hopes to duplicate the Give and Take Day in other area townships.
As for just what may be donated at the event on Saturday, that is anyone's guess.
"I have no idea what to expect. It's going to be anything and everything, such as household items, games, toys and usable clothes," Lacey said, adding that unclaimed clothes will be donated to the Salvation Army.
Saturday's event will take place during Ross Township's annual fall cleanup days. Residents can bring trash items such as metal, tires, appliances and general trash to the rear of the municipal building on Anchorage Road near the park on Friday and Saturday there is a disposal fee for tires, refrigerators and air conditioners, but all other trash is free to drop off.
If all goes well at the Give and Take Day, there will be less usable trash from Ross Township going into landfills.
For more information on reusing items and the Ross Township Fall Clean-Up:
- http://www.closetheloop.com/
- http://www.freecycle.org/
- http://www.rosstwp.com/
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