Sioux Lookout Curbside Swap returns
Reeti Meenakshi Rohilla - Staff Writer
After being delayed due to previously stricter COVID-19 public health restrictions, the Municipality of Sioux Lookout’s Environment Committee recently commenced this year’s Curbside Swap; a popular local win-win initiative that saves people money and is beneficial to the environment, said Joyce Timpson, Municipal council member and Environment Committee member. She added, “Reusing, recycling, refurbishing, it’s all helping our environment; it’s helping keep items out of the landfills, it’s saving money for people, it’s a win-win for everybody.”
This initiative typically starts after the snow melts around the end of April, running until the end of October. Currently Curbside Swap is taking place two Saturdays a month, however Timpson said people regularly put items out and post on the Sioux Lookout Curbside Swap Facebook page, which now has over 1500 members.
“Essentially, people just put out…items that they no longer need or want, and people come around and pick up what they feel they need. And then people that are putting items out can post on the (Sioux Lookout) Curbside Swap Facebook page if they like, so people know what is available. The public can subscribe to that page and can check it out regularly to see what is available at certain addresses, and avoiding to have to just drive around. If you see something posted on the Facebook page that they are interested in, they could go right to that address and hopefully it is still there,” explained Timpson.
Timpson shared that swapping items that one may not require anymore that could be of worth to another, is a good way to recycle and reuse. She added that these items are saved from ending up in the municipal landfill. Timpson also shared that landfills are a major source of greenhouse gas emissions such as methane.
The Municipality of Sioux Lookout shared on their Facebook Page about this event, “It’s not limited to perfectly good items that you just don’t use anymore - you’d be amazed what people could be looking for! We have a lot of very handy people in the community who can fix less than perfect items too. Unusual, unique, and special interest items can be surprisingly popular finds as well.”
The post added some COVID-19 safety precautions when putting items out - or picking them up, which are as follows:
- Wash your hands before handling items you are putting out.
- Spread items out so they’re easy to see without having to move other items around.
- Disinfect any item you pick up before taking it home.
- Practice physical distancing.
- Wash or sanitize your hands often.
“Don’t be afraid to put out something that you think nobody would want or it might be a bit faulty. You will be amazed at what people are able to take and repair themselves, and if you are putting something out that needs repair, just indicate, put a little note on it that needs repair. So, the person knows that they are not getting a fully functional item, and then they can take it and fix it,” said Timpson.