Sixth Annual Swap Day to be Held on September 29

Melrose’s Fifth Annual Swap Day will be held on Saturday, September 29, from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. in the municipal parking lot behind Memorial Hall and the Fire Station on Main Street. The event is run by the Melrose Recycling Committee in partnership with the Melrose Department of Public Works.

Swap Day is a community reuse event that provides an opportunity to save reusable items from being discarded and give them a new life and a new home. It’s a “take it or leave it” event: You don’t have to bring something to take something. And if you do leave something, don’t feel that you have to take something away. If you are looking to “de-clutter,” this is a good opportunity to give new life to items that may no longer have a place in your home but that have not outlived their usefulness. If you are moving in to Melrose, or just need certain items, here’s an opportunity to find what you are looking for while sticking to a tight budget.

The Recycling Committee would like to emphasize that this is not an event for operators of consignment shops to re-stock their shelves. Swap Day is designed as an event allowing people to de-clutter or to find items that they need or want for their homes.

All items must be clean, only gently used and able to be carried by one person. All items will be inspected and approved before entering the event. Please enter the parking lot in between Memorial Hall and the Fire Station and follow the directions of the staff on site. 

Although there may be some changes to the lists of acceptable and unacceptable items, for now, please follow the guidelines presented here and set aside items accordingly.

Acceptable items including the following: 

Clothes and textiles, which in addition to shirts, pants, blouses, etc., may include purses, bags, jewelry, scarves, coats, gloves, hats, backpacks, totes, shoes, and sandals.

Books, CDs, DVDs: Books can include textbooks. CDs and DVDs should be in their original labelled cases and not scratched.

Sports equipment, including balls, bats, rackets, and roller blades.

School/office supplies, including notebooks, pens, pencils, markers, staplers, scissors, file folders, and craft items.

Household items such as small furniture (nothing upholstered) and home décor. This can include kitchen items such as dishware, pots, and pans; small electronics such as blenders and toasters (in working condition); small furniture such as tables and chairs (not upholstered, as noted); and artwork and décor, such as pictures and picture frames, baskets, vases, and clocks. 

Small electronics, such as DVD players, radios, phones, and computer accessories. NO TVs and monitors. Those can be dropped off at the DPW City Yard during the week and during Saturday events.

Items that are NOT acceptable include:

• Large appliances and metal goods
• Upholstered furniture
• Large electronics such as TVs and monitors (as noted)
• Rugs
• Stuffed toys and pillows.

All items not swapped will be donated to the charitable organization Big Brother/Big Sister. For a complete list of items, visit www.melrecyclingcommittee.wordpress.com.

For more information, contact George Stubbs at stubbsfamily15@verizon.net, or at 781-665-0142.