Swap Day Will Be September 28

The second of two Swap Days in 2019 will take place on September 28 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 Zero Waste Melrose—formerly 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. 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.

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.

Items not swapped will be donated to charitable organizations to the maximum extent possible. To limit the volume of items that must be donated, please note: Items will not be accepted for drop-off after 11 a.m. Charitable organizations face more restrictions on what they will accept than they once did, which means that some leftover items might have to be tossed in the trash.

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. Be advised that there are fewer outlets for books than in the past.

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.

For a complete list of items, visit www.melrecyclingcommittee.wordpress.com.