Discovering the hidden value of reusable goods
By Annette Geldbert
 Every
day people from all walks of life part with their
possessions at Bolton’s Community Recycling
Centre (CRC). Some bring scrap metal and wood
for recycling, others bring household hazardous
waste (HHW) for safe disposal, but many drop off
their once prized possessions, trinkets and precious
items that are just too good to throw away. What
happens to these discarded treasures?
The Caledon Community Services (CCS) ReUstore,
a reusable goods retail outlet located within
the Bolton CRC, accepts dropped-off items that
are in good condition. The ReUstore then sells
these goods at bargain prices, reinvesting the
proceeds back into community services. Deb Robertson,
Director of Stores for CCS, along with two assistant
managers and a team of community and student volunteers,
artfully displays the array of donated goods in
the store.
Unique, antique or collector items are held
aside. Once a month, the ReUstore conducts a silent
auction offering these eclectic items to the highest
bidders. "We’ve auctioned everything from
a family bible to antique bob skates," says Robertson.
Some ReUstore customers, aware of the important
services CCS supports, donate items specifically
for sale in the silent auction.
"Our partnership with the CRC works because
the concept is simple and convenient," explains
Robertson. "People appreciate the opportunity
to do something good with the stuff they no longer
want. Not only do they contribute positively to
the environment, but they support important community
projects at the same time."
Nazreen Subhan, HHW Operator at the Bolton CRC,
works closely with staff and volunteers of the
ReUstore. "Visitors to the CRC are environmentally
conscious," says Subhan. "Locating the reusable
goods retail outlet within the CRC enables Peel
residents to divert a tremendous amount of waste
from landfill."
Every day, someone new discovers the benefits
of the ReUstore. This steady growth in clientele
means increasing proceeds flow to CCS.
With a team of approximately 400 volunteers
and staff, CCS provides a multitude of community
services throughout Caledon. For example, last
year, CCS volunteer drivers provided seniors and
people with disabilities with more than 20,000
rides to medical appointments and grocery stores.
Working together, CCS and the Region provide
valuable services to preserve the environment
and support important community initiatives.
(Above L-R) Nazreen Subhan, Bolton CRC HHW Operator,
retrieves an antique furnace damper from the Recycling
Bin; CCS ReUstore volunteer, Dick Kennedy inspects
antique furnace damper retrieved by Nazreen Subhan,
Bolton CRC HHW Operator; CCS ReUstore volunteer,
Frank Rudge rings in a sale for the ReUstore.
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