Newark launches swap shop for used goods

The city of Newark is kicking off a new waste reduction project that includes a telephone hotline system to help its residents reuse and recycle household goods. The Planet Newark Second Chances Hotline opened in December and is a free information service that allows residents to call and list any used household goods they Wish to give away, according to Mayor Sharpe James.

Newarkers in need of such goods may also call the hotline to find out what is available. Details such as inspection and transportation of the used items are worked out between the two parties. The hotline is open Monday through Friday from 8.30 a.m. to 4.30 p.m.

“The goal of Newark’s Second Chances Program is to keep goods that are still in usable condition out of landfills by creating a kind of electronic swap shop, for residents and organizations that can still use these items,” James says.We think the telephone hotline will make it easy for everyone to become part of the recyling loop.”

Items that can be listed on the hot, line include appliances, arts and crafts materials, automobiles, bicycles, books/magazines, building materials, child car seats, clothing, computer supplies, computers, dining ware, furniture gardening tools, kitchen supplies, office supplies, paint, pet supplies, playground equipment, sporting goods, toys and videocassettes.

Those looking for a particular used item not currently listed with the service can get on a waiting list. “Anyone calling with a used television, for example, would first be given the names of anyone on the waiting list for a TV,” James says.

Information on the Second Chances hotline is being mailed to more than 600 local churches and nonprofit organizations to publicize the project and encourage its use by local charities.

The Planet Newark Second Chances Waste Reduction Project began this past year with publication of “Second Chances: The Planet Newark Guide to Donating Unwanted Goods,” a 40-page guide featuring comprehensive listings of 60 local non-profit organizations that use various second-hand items.

“Second Chances also contains an easy-to-use index of materials that helps readers quickly find organizations that accept the items they want to donate,” James says.

“For example, under the heading `furniture, household’ is a list of all the groups that will take household furniture, as well as specific items that they are seeking, such as tables or chairs.

“There are 46 headings in this index of materials, and they cover a wide spectrum of common household and office items,” he says.

Tax deductions are a key incentive for donating unwanted goods. “The Internal Revenue Service allows taxpayers to claim fair market value for donations of household or office items and deduct them from their taxes,” James says. “Second Chances includes a section that addresses this topic.”

For more information, or to obtain a copy of “Second Chances – The Planet Newark Guide To Donating Unwanted Goods,” call the Newark Department of Engineering at (201)733-4356.