Published date: 9 January 2017

Give and Take this New Year – free reuse events in north London

Do you need a de-clutter in your home after the influx of Christmas gifts or do you need a new piece of free furniture to store them all in? Then these ‘Give and Take Days’ are definitely for you!

North London Waste Authority (NLWA), through its Wise Up To Waste campaign is offering residents of north London the opportunity to bring along unwanted items to a ‘Give and Take’ event near them, or pick up a treat, for free.
 
Give and take day
 

he purpose of Give and Take days is to encourage as many people as possible to reuse  the items they no longer need by giving them away, which in turn may help someone else. They also ensure that items which are still in a good condition are not thrown away needlessly.
 
Councillor Clyde Loakes, Chair of NLWA says:

“The Give and Take initiative is a terrific example of how the community can learn and embrace different ways of recycling and reusing.  Simple lifestyle changes and a greater understanding of waste reduction can make a huge difference to the environment.  I would encourage anyone to get involved with their local event.”

There are 14 events taking place across the seven boroughs in Barnet, Camden, Enfield, Islington, Haringey, Islington and Waltham Forest

throughout January and February 2017. Events last for three hours; you can donate your good quality items in the first two hours, and take other items for free in the final hour.  
 
Find an event near you!  

14 January 2017, from 1pm to 4pm at Trinity at Bowes Methodist Church & Centre Plus, Palmerston Road, Haringey, London, N22 8RA

15 January 2017, from 1.15pm to 4.15pm at Hornsey Vale Community Centre, 60 Mayfield Road, Harringay, London, N8 9LP

21 January 2017, from 12pm to 3pm at Highgate Civic and Cultural Centre, Chester Road, Highgate, London, N19 5DH

22 January 2017, from 12pm to 3pm at Barnet Multi Cultural Community Centre, Algernon Road, London, NW4 3TA

28 January 2017, from 12pm to 3pm at  Aubert Court Community Centre, Avenell Rd, Highbury, London N5 1BT

29 January 2017, from 12pm to 3pm at Connaught School, Connaught Road, Leytonstone, London E11 4AB

04 February 2017, from 12pm to 3pm at Wendling TRA Hall, 117 Wellesley Road, Kentish Town, London, NW5 4PA

05 February 2017, from 12pm to 3pm at Geffrye Community Centre, Falkirk Street, Hackney, London, N1 6SD

11 February 2017from 12pm to 3pm at St Monica’s Church - Intimate Theatre, 1 Stonard Road, Palmers Green, London, N13 4DJ

12 February 2017, from 12pm to 3pm at Haringey Irish Centre, Pretoria Road, Tottenham, London, N17 8DX

18 February 2017, from 12pm to 3pm at East Barnet Baptist Church, Crescent Road, Barnet, EN4 8PS

19 February 2017, from 12pm to 3pm at Vibast Community Centre, Bartholomew Court, 163 Old Street, EC1V 9NH

25 February 2017, from 12pm to 3pm at Milton Gardens Community Hall, Chaucer Court, Shakespeare Walk, London N16 8TA

26 February 2017, from 3pm to 6pm at St Mary’s Welcome Centre, Church Hill, Walthamstow, E17 3RH 
 
 
NLWA is also offering residents a free collection service for large or bulky items from your home prior to the events, such as large furniture and white goods. In order to do this please register your item by clicking on this link, by email to wastepreventionteam@nlwa.gov.uk or text 0779 409 0824.(Bulky items will be collected from your house one or two days prior to your borough’s event.)

Having a big clear out will not only free up space and create order in your home, but it should also make you feel better and more organised. 

Here are some top tips to help you with have a successful de-clutter at home: 

1. Give yourself enough time - whether this is a morning or a whole day – it may take longer than you think!  

2. Make it enjoyable - try putting on your favourite tunes in the background, to keep you motivated and uplifted – you could even get some friends involved for extra help, or a second opinion. 

3. Make sure you have enough boxes or bags - put things into piles and pack things into boxes or bags as you go along – one for recycling, one for selling and one for donating for reuse at a ‘Give and Take’ event of course! 

4. If you’re re-organising your wardrobe take everything out - this may be a scary prospect, but the key is to take everything out and start afresh. 

5. Be ruthless - If it’s a piece of clothing or household item, ask yourself whether you have worn it or used it in the past 12 months? 

If the answer is no, then you are probably unlikely to again....
 
Give and take photo- toys
 
Please note that participants will be asked to register in order to enter the event, and provided with a numbered ticket, allowing them to enter the 'taking' part of the event in order. Events can be really popular so you might expect a queuing time in order to enter the event at the ‘taking’ time.  

Please also parents with children under the age of 12 can bring them but they must remain under the parents' supervision at all times.

For further information, please visit our Give and Take Day page here.

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