Hamilton Reuses: A Tonne of Opportunity

Every day, many tonnes of waste from homes and businesses in the City of Hamilton are dumped into landfills. To divert some of this waste, it is important that we practice the three R’s: reduce, reuse, and recycle.

Most people know to reduce waste by buying only what they need and to recycle by separating certain materials from the trash, but many people don’t know ways to offer up their unwanted belongings for reuse.

For instance, trying to find someone in need of your ancient dial television can be a time-consuming process with disappointing results; also, moving bulky items (think of that tacky and oversized couch in your living room) can be a very difficult task.

Luckily, Hamilton has a number of services and opportunities that can help you get your unwanted items into the right hands so that they can be happily reused by somebody else. While you’re at it, you might even make some extra cash!

Name of Business	Extra Information	Website/Contact Information
Kijiji & Craigslist: free online services like the local classified ads in newspapers.	Registered members can buy and sell virtually anything that is not considered illegal by the website’s standards.Etiquette is for the buyer to pick up the item(s) being sold so you don’t have to worry about moving heavy items!	www.hamilton.kijiji.ca www.hamilton.en.craigslist.ca/
Hamilton Reuses: like Kijiji, an online service to exchange goods within the City of Hamilton.	Although it is not as popular as Kijiji, the website has other resources like the Recyclopedia which has information on places to recycle almost anything (including hazardous materials).On the site’s forums, users can offer their junk up for sale (or to give away) and browse offers posted by other people.	www.hamilton.reuses.com
The Reuse Centre: accepts almost any items from the household or workplace including building supplies.	Takes unwanted junk off your hands to be resold in their store.Items cannot be damaged, soiled, incomplete, or hazardous. Call them if you are unsure of how to properly dispose of these items. Resells items dropped off at the centre for cheap.	Address:  3335 North Service Road, Unit #2A, Burlington, ON. Phone Number: 905-319-0477 www.reusecentre.on.ca
Freecycle: an online network of groups that reuse each other’s goods.	Members form local recycling “communities” that offer up and exchange goods with one another.Unlike Kijiji, everything listed must be completely FREE. Find a group near you on their website.	www.freecycle.org
Donation Centres: places that accept gently-used household wares to be resold. Revenue usually goes towards charity work.	Value Village has a number of drop-off locations for unwanted household items that can be found here.Pickups can be arranged for bulky items.	http://www.valuevillage.com/Donating.aspx
	The Goodwill Donation Centre accepts clothing, household wares and linens, furniture and small appliances for resale.Proceeds from the sale of these goods help support work in helping people find employment opportunities.	Address: 1050 Upper Gage Avenue, Hamilton, ON Phone Number: 905-526-8488

-Evan Gravely