Archive for the ‘Recycling’ Category
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SPECULATE BEFORE YOU DONATE
In light of recent the recent news on for-profit bins, DDA launched a new campaign to reassure donors that all bins of DDA are 100% operated and owned by a local registered charity with our new red seal of approval. Like it always has, all donations DDA receives from our bins are re-directed to DDA and people with developmental disabilities. They are the contributing member to funding our programs and services we run.
Though most bins appear to be run by charities, there are unfortunately only a handful that truly are. For-profit bins work together with other charities to use their logo as a guise in exchange for a small percentage of profit to the charity. Our seal will hope to distinguish ourselves from these bins, and remind donors that these bins are lifelines to us and to the community we serve. Charities who are like us include Big Brothers, Canadian Diabetes Association and Salvation Army. We support their causes and encourage you to donate to them should a DDA bin not be within reach. Please also be reminded that DDA offers complimentary home pick up service in case there is not a bin in your neighbourhood. Please feel free to give us a call at 604.273.4DDA or visit our website for a list of bins in your neighbourhood.
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10 Years and Counting
Can you believe it has already been 10 years since we started our donations bins initiative? In the past 10 years, we have expanded throughout the Lower Mainland with over 300 donation bins. For those who are unfamiliar with our white donation bins, these are our life lines. All clothing and donations collected through these bins are sold to our partner Value Village, and 100% of funds receive benefit our clients and families with the 50 programs and services we provide.
We can’t wait to commemorate our bin hosts, especially those who have been with us for the past 10 years! At DDA, we have a lot to be grateful for. Just like those MC Hammer Pants or the big permed hair, it’s always fun going down memory lane to reminisce the good old times. Take a stroll in our gallery and see how our donation bins have evolved over the years.
For a list of our donation bins across the Lower Mainland and how to donate to us, please visit our website here.
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My Garage
By Danielle White
I love my garage.
It is an extension of my home.
I clean, “declutter” and organize it just like the rest of my house. I spend a lot of time in my garage; for example, during the hockey playoffs I probably spent every Canucks game in there because I couldn’t stand the pressure of watching the games! This gave me ample opportunity to evaluate what I really wanted to keep and what I could do without.
I’ve learned to clean my garage when my family is really busy because they don’t have a clue what I’ve done with their “stuff”. I admit I am methodical. I have a”Christmas section”, a “Sports section, a “who does this belong to section?”, a “donation section” and “a section of things so near and dear to the hearts of my family that I don’t dare touch.”
I have all the “stuff” stored in containers and piled up on shelves against one wall. They are labeled and yes, I am afraid to say even dated. I limit myself to purchasing more containers. When I run out of space, I know it’s time to go through what I have and replenish the “donation section”.
I don’t really have a scheduled time and day to clean my garage; I usually end up in there at least once a week and start puttering. One thing leads to another and before I know it my “donation section has something in it!” I keep empty bags and a couple boxes handy to pack the “stuff” up and I immediately load it into my car for drop off at one of DDA’s donation bins.
The other walls are filled with hooks and pegboards. There is even room for a dartboard! I hang up whatever I can from bikes, weed eaters to a hook for my grocery bags. This hook is conveniently located by the door so I practically walk into them on my way out to the grocery store.
Years ago, a friend of ours was renovating his kitchen and gave us all his cupboards and drawers. I was so excited! Now they are in my garage hosting many items including tape, string, work gloves, scorebooks and lineup sheets. Our cupboards are currently brimming with extension cords, dishes, garbage bags etc.
Everything has its place in my organized garage …….except for my car. That stays in the driveway!
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How To Clean Out Your Closet
By Alanna Hendren
- Get inspired. Watch “What Not to Wear”, think about your unique style and a feel for what Stacey and Clinton would say about your wardrobe.
- Take all clothes, shoes and accessories out of your closet, drawers, off your shelves and anywhere else you might have them and place on your bed. This doesn’t have to be all at once – you can do clothes, shoes and accessories separately or in batches.
- Separate your clothes, shoes and accessories into two groups: Spring/Summer and Fall/Winter.
- Sort the clothes from the season you are in – that is, if you’re cleaning out from September to March, focus on Spring/Summer clothes first. It is also helpful to sort out the clothes from each season into two groups – dressy and casual.
- If you have not worn an item of clothing during the past year, no matter how nice it is, discard – particularly if it doesn’t fit or its been overlooked because it doesn’t go with anything else you’ve got (i.e. color, texture, style). Admit it, these items will probably never be your favourites. Exceptions to this rule are: 1. Clothes you haven’t worn because you forgot you had them but you plan on wearing them within the next week; 2. Evening dresses, tuxedoes and party clothes – as long as they still fit, keep them for those special occasions that may only come around every New Year’s Eve. These can be kept for years because they are generally expensive but classic; 3. If the item is sentimental. This includes that old Rolling Stones t-shirt from the seventies and the red lycra pants that made you the disco diva in your day. Put them in a small box and take them out every once in a while to look at like old pictures. Some people even frame great sentimental clothes. You can also include those favourite clothes your kids looked particularly cute in that you’re saving for your grandchildren. Coats or expensive outwear can also be saved if it’s clear you may need them in the future. Recycle those ole ski boots that are too narrow, the scuba suit from your beach bum phase that’s been long over and anyone else’s clothing that happens to be taking up room in your closet.
- Review every piece of clothing, every pair of shoes and every accessory individually. Ask yourself: Does this fit? Try it on. Is this still in style? Anything with big shoulder pads should already be gone. Anything that’s in a colour that looks terrible on you goes. Anything that has holes, stains, rips, tears, frays, pills or strained seams goes. Put all discarded garments, footwear and accessories in garbage(or DDA) bags for recycling.
- Ask yourself what Stacey and Clinton or your most honest critic would say about each item. Is it age appropriate? Does it flatter your best physical features? Is it contemporary? A classic? Then it’s a keeper.
- Take the keepers and put them back in your closet (after its been swept and cleaned) or drawers. Organize your wardrobe so that it’s easy to get what you’re looking for.
- Go through all clothes for the season you’re not currently in with continued rigor. Discard everything too old, out-dated, worn, small, or too large. If you haven’t any intention of wearing it over the next year, be honest with yourself and discard.
- Take what’s left and either put it away or, if you don’t have so much room, fold and place in bags or boxes then store in a warm dry place. If you have no room, think about using suitcases to store shoes and boots. Clothes can also be wrapped in plastic and neatly stored under your bed.
There! Now a clean closet, all those old, dusty clothes gone and more room to fill up with new things that better fit, are age appropriate, reflect your best physical assets, enhance your appearance and match your lifestyle or the life goals you want to reach!
The real problem is keeping it up. When you re-organize your closet, try hanging it backwards, by hanging it out from the back to the front. Each time you pull something out to wear, hang it back up the proper way. At the end of the year and once you’ve endured all four seasons, you will be able to see which articles of clothing that you haven’t worn all year, and most likely will never in the following years. A great way to identify which clothes can be recycled, and how much you can shop so you won’t leave these hangars lonely for long!
All unwanted clothing can be donated to DDA at any of their 300 donation bins across the Lower Mainland. To find a bin near you, visit their website here.
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Recycle with DDA for Earth Day
How are you celebrating Earth Day? There’s an easy way to get involved with Earth Day. You can locate a clothing donation bin and recycle your unused clothes by donating it to the Developmental Disabilities Association, or you can also locate a bottle donation bin and recycle your bottles as a donation to the Association. Over the last year, your donations have helped us not only generate necessary funds to maintain and develop programs for people with developmental disabilities, but have also helped us recycle:
- Over six million pounds of cloth items
- 1,473,017 pounds of housewares
- Over 400, 000 cans/bottles
Your donations help people with developmental disabilities and the environment. We’re a proud winner of the Recycling Council of BC’s Mobi award, and we strive to continue our sustainability initiatives in environmental stewardship.
Links & Resources
Recent Posts
- SPECULATE BEFORE YOU DONATE
- 10 Years and Counting
- HAPPY NEW YEAR!
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