Despite gray skies and cool, rainy weather, Andover residents turned out in droves on Saturday, May 3, to donate used clothes, appliances, toys and other household items at the Zero Waste Day collection, organized by the Andover Recycling Committee.
Volunteers counted 430 cars between 9 a.m. and noon, each packed with items to donate to 10 different charities at the Brickstone Square office complex. Each nonprofit — from Lazarus House and Bikes Not Bombs to the Lowell Wish Project and the Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals — brought a truck, and drove away from the event with it packed full to the brim with donations from Andover households.
"The rain held off until the very end, and the line (of cars with items to donate) never waned, from start to finish. It was good, all the trucks filled up," said Marya Lundgren, an organizer from the recycling committee. "Everyone was so pleased at how cooperative everyone was. People were helping unload cars, sorting items. Everyone was great all around, and all of those donated items didn't end up in the trash."
Most of the organizations had brought 24-foot trucks, but the Lowell Wish Project brought an 18-wheeler, which left packed full with mattresses, furniture and televisions, she said. Big Brother Big Sister reported it collected 4,375 pounds of donated goods in three hours.
"This way, people help out many charities in one fell swoop, and people are realizing that items have more life in them than the one-time purchase."
This was Andover's fourth annual Zero Waste Day, said Lundgren. The recycling committee is going to meet soon to discuss how to plan the event for next year, possible splitting it into two collections, due to the huge turnout on Saturday — more than double the amount of donations they received last year, she said.
The committee also organizes collections for household hazardous waste on May 10 and used electronics for later in the year.
"It needs to be done," said Lundgren of Zero Waste Day. "This is Andover's stuff going to the charities. It's a definite, obvious need and I'd rather it go to the charities than go to the curb. Part of this is education as well, to educate the public about these charities, that they're out there and they're open year-round."
One man's trash ...
Looking to donate but missed Zero Waste Day? Here is a list of nonprofits that were on hand at the May 3 event, as well as a few other suggestions from Marya Lundgren, Andover Recycling Committee member. See charities' Web sites for details and information on drop-off times and other collection events. Check with the charity first before making a trip.
r Got Books, accepts CDs, DVDs, videos for all ages, LPs/records, board games, puzzles, audiobooks, hard and softcover books; www.gotbooks.com
r Bikes Not Bombs, accepts bikes of any size; www.bikesnotbombs.org
r Building Material Resource Center, accepts new and used building materials; www.bostonbmrc.org/bostonbmrc
r Community Giving Tree, accepts baby equipment, including cribs, baby gates, high chairs, swings, baby blankets, crib sheets and comforters; www.communitygivingtree.org
r Lowell Wish Project, accepts furniture, mattresses, small appliances, TV's, baby equipment, clothing and gear size 3T and under; www.lowellwishproject.org
r St. Vincents de Paul, accepts clothing and shoes; www.svdpboston.com
r MSPCA at Nevin's Farm, accpets pet supplies, leashes, beds, towels, comforters, blankets; www.mspca.org/site/PageServer?pagename=ACAC_NevinsHomepage
r Big Brother Big Sister, accepts clothing, shoes, bed and bath accessories and small housewares; www.bbbsfoundation.org
r Lazarus House, accepts dishes, housewares, appliances, small furniture, lamps; 978-269-5285
r Cradles to Crayons, accepts items for children newborn to 12 years old, including clothing, toys, games, baby equipment; www.cradlestocrayons.org
r Project Home Again, accepts furniture, household items, kitchen items, babies and children items; www.projecthomeagain.us
r Andover Historical Society, accepts hard and soft cover books; 978-475-2236
r For items such as sport equipment, large toys, extra paint and other craft and hobby supplies or anything else worth using again, visit www.Freecycle.org. Andover residents may join North Andover's freecycle group, called NASWAC.
