Nailing It Down
By Dave Murnen and Pat Beaty
It’s Spring Cleanup time on Grays Harbor! For many Harborites, that means a free trip to the dump. However, whether you get a free day at the dump or not, you could use the spring air of new beginnings to see if your old stuff can be useful to a local charity.
WHAT TO DO WITH
JUNK THAT ISN’T
One of the reasons many of us hesitate to get rid of things that we no longer need is that we find it hard to “trash” something that isn’t trash.
As you are sorting and cleaning this spring, you are likely to run into a few items that you no longer have use for but clearly could be of use to somebody.
If you like to get some money out of your things, perhaps it is time to organize a garage sale or check out one of the many internet sites to sell things, including www.2good2toss. Several area Facebook pages also offer opportunities to sell or give away your items. And the good ol’ want ads in local papers, such as this one, will also bring customers your way.
Maybe you don’t need the money, or don’t want the hassle of selling your former treasures. No need to fret. Several local charities would love to have your gently used items — and if you want, you can get a receipt for a tax deduction for next year. Goodwill, the Union Gospel Mission and Habitat for Humanity will consider taking gently used items. You can also recycle electronic items at Goodwill and the LeMay Transfer Station at no cost.
Each organization has slightly different needs and rules, so you’ll want to check with them. For instance, Habitat for Humanity’s ReStore specializes in building materials that someone can use. It’s a great place to take your extra boxes of tiles, flooring, sinks, lumber, good doors and much more — things you know will be a godsend to someone else, but that most charities don’t take. The store is at 3005 Simpson Ave. in Hoquiam.
ReStore also will take some furniture and household items. And other good news is that they can pick up your items at your house. The pickup schedule is usually booked out about one to two weeks, depending on where you live, but it’s certainly a help! Call 360-612-3350 to schedule.
Our local Goodwill store, located near Walmart, no longer accepts furniture; but it will take clean used clothes, household items, bedding, toys, home décor, books, tapes, movies and much more. If you have questions about their donation rules, give them a call at 360-532-0209.
The Union Gospel Mission in downtown Aberdeen is another charity organization that accepts used goods. They can always use blankets, sleeping bags, clothes and household items. They will also pick up furniture in good condition. Check with them at 360-533-1064 for more information.
While it’s not a nonprofit, Aberdeen Thrift City (at 306 North B St. in Aberdeen) can give you a way to divert things from the landfill by reselling them to others. They will take your clean clothes, housewares, kitchen items and furniture in good condition. (They do not take TVs, toys or books.) Call them at 360-532-8020 with questions.
THINGS FOR THE TRANSFER STATION
Things such as glass, used oil, and tires, and bulky items such as refrigerators, freezers can all be dealt with at the LeMay Transfer Station in its various areas.
Check out the website, or give them a call for more specifics.
The Hazardous Waste Site, which is free to use, is open on the first Wednesday and Saturday of each month from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
The E-cycle area is also free to use. It is where you can take your computer monitors, screens, towers, televisions, etc. It is available at all times for drop off, but if you require assistance, come on Tuesdays from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Recyclables are also free to dispose of at the LeMay Transfer Station. Items accepted include glass bottles (no plate glass windows, etc.) tin, aluminum (no scrap metal or paint cans), flattened cardboard, milk jugs, newspapers and mixed paper.
REMINDER OF
DUMP DATES
As promised, we’re going to briefly review the Spring Cleanup dates offered to select municipalities in the county.
Aberdeen: For Aberdonians, the month of April is yours for a free dump day. The City of Aberdeen will be issuing vouchers for those who live within city limits.
If you are an Aberdeen resident, you should be receiving a postcard soon. This voucher — accompanied by a driver’s license or other form of identification — is your ticket to a trip to the LeMay Transfer Station any day the transfer site is open from April 1 to 30.
Hoquiam: Your Spring Cleanup days aren’t until June 5-8. Vouchers will be available at the Hometown Sanitation office in Hoquiam beginning May 28. Take that voucher with your license to the LeMay Transfer Station during those June days for a free trip to the dump.
Cosmopolis: Mark Saturday, April 20, on your calendar. Cosmopolis City Hall will be issuing vouchers for that day; check with them for details.
Westport: Vouchers will be available at City Hall for you to pick up. You may use that voucher anytime the Transfer Station is open during the month of May; just take it with your license to the transfer station.
Ocean Shores: For Ocean Shores residents, drop boxes will be placed in your community April 23-25.
McCleary: Those living in McCleary should mark April 27 as their red-star day. That’s when drop boxes will be placed at key locations around town.
Dave Murnen and Pat Beaty are construction specialists at NeighborWorks of Grays Harbor County, where Murnen is executive director. This is a nonprofit organization committed to creating safe and affordable housing for all residents of Grays Harbor County. For questions about home repair, renting, remodeling or buying, call 360-533-7828 or visit 710 E. Market St. in Aberdeen. Our office is fully ADA-compliant.
