One of the trickiest parts about getting yourself organized is the decluttering process! And what makes this process even more challenging is the confusion about what to do with all your unwanted items!
You want to make sure that your items are going to get used properly by someone else, and not just tossed in the landfill, but where do you go to look for this valuable information? We have so many amazing resources in the Peterborough area, and you should take advantage of them!
An assortment of items you may not realize you can donate/recycle! Photo by Adeilah Dahlke
The City of Peterborough website is a really helpful resource to find certain info on what can or can’t be recycled within the region. They have a Waste Wizard search engine on their site, as well as in app form where you can search for confusing items. Not everything is listed, but it is a great starting point for quick answers!
Habitat for Humanity and Vinnies are both fantastic options for donating, and they both take a wide variety of items. Habitat for Humanity takes household goods, building supplies, tools, kitchens and cabinetry, furniture, scrap metal, sports equipment, vacuums, all electronics (whether working or not), and more! Vinnies takes household items, clothing, linens, hygiene products, working electronics, bicycles and some furniture. Both of these places are official non-profits, and contribute much to our local community and economy. They are also treasure troves for items you may want to purchase!
Photo taken by Adeilah Dahlke, at the front of GreenUP, showcasing all their drop-off recycling programs!
Good Neighbours, YES Shelter, One City, One Roof, EFRY, Food Not Bombs, Kawartha Food Share, and Community Fridge are also wonderful local resources to support.
Here are some items that have specialty recycling or donation programs that you may not be aware of (and may not be listed on the Peterborough website):
1. Batteries – these need to be disposed of with other Household Hazardous Waste (HHW), so they can be dropped off at the HHW section at Pido Rd., or in the collection bins at GreenUp, Kingan Home Hardware, Staples, or Home Depot.
Photo taken by Adeilah Dahlke at the Peterborough Library, where they have a drop off bin for chopsticks!
2. Chopsticks – these can be recycled (used or new) at the Peterborough Public Library, where they’ve partnered with ChopValue – a company that reuses chopsticks into cutting boards and furniture!
3. Computers – computers, accessories, LED/LCD monitors, network equipment and mobile phones can be donated to reBOOT in Peterborough. They will even clear off your data, and provide you with a charitable donation receipt!
4. LED and Fluorescent Light Bulbs – these can also be recycled as HHW at Pido Rd. Regular incandescent bulbs go in the trash unfortunately.
5. Grocery Bags (Plastic or Reusable) – these are in high demand at thrift stores, where they can be used for purchases. Donate them to Vinnies or Habitat for Humanity!
6. Medications (Expired) – to properly dispose of old prescriptions and OTC medications, empty the bottles and blister packs and drop them off at your local pharmacy.
7. Oral Care Packaging – empty toothpaste tubes, toothbrushes, and floss containers can be recycled through Terracycle, either through their mail-in program, or you can bring them to the drop-off bin at GreenUp!
8. Paint Cans – these can be dropped off at the HHW section at Pido Rd.
9. Pens/Markers/Writing Utensils – once they’re dried up, these can be recycled at Staples
Photo of The Personal Care Bank at 14 Alexander Ave. Peterborough. Photo by The Personal Care Bank Instagram
10. Personal Care Items – menstrual products, toiletries, toothpaste/toothbrushes – if they’re new they can donated to The Personal Care Bank, which is open 24/7 for people to access personal care items if needed! There are 2 locations currently in Peterborough (509 Gilchrist St. and 14 Alexander Ave.)
11. Printer Ink Cartridges – these can be recycled at Staples
12. Textbooks – these can be dropped off at the new Textbooks For Change locations around Peterborough.
13. Textiles – if you have old clothing or fabric that is not reusable (hole-y socks or old undergarments for instance), you can drop them off as material recycling at Pido Rd.
14. Tires – drop them off at Canadian Tire, and these tires will be recycled into rubber surfaces for children’s playgrounds.
15. Towels/Blankets – drop off your old towels and blankets at the Peterborough Humane Society, where they use them to keep their animals cozy. They accept a wide range of pet items, so check out their site for more info!
Who’s ready to get decluttering?
An edited version of this article has been published on the GreenUP blog, as well as on Kawartha Now and The Peterborough Examiner.
Adeilah Dahlke (she/her), owner of Jigsaw Organizing Solutions has been helping people declutter and organize their spaces since 2015. She is a member of Green Economy Peterborough, and is always looking for ways to reduce the amount of items being sent to landfill!
