At this time of year, we want to start spring cleaning and decluttering our load of possessions. At the same time – we need to think about keeping goods out of landfills. On average, Canadians generate 720 kg of waste per capita. Not only can your disposal choice reduce landfill waste, but it can help others, or make you some extra cash. Here’s where you work on donating and consigning in Vancouver.
Donating Used Clothing in Vancouver
Dress for success is an excellent charity that helps women have appropriate work wear for job interviews and work life. They provide stylists to help women create 3 outfits as well as job retention and interview assistance. Donate your own gently used professional attire or hold a clothing drive.
Men’s, women’s and youth clothing and warm coats can be dropped off daily at the Union Gospel Mission or Covenant House or at Vancouver City Hall.
You can also book a pickup or use donation bins for Big Brothers, Salvation Army Vancouver.
Consigning Used Clothing in Vancouver
Adult and children’s clothing also be consigned in order to generate up to 40% of the selling price in either cash, exchange value or credits at various retailers. Some kids’ consignment shops like Flipsize (Langley, Coquitlam and Maple Ridge) operate with store credits, and some stores like Turnabout, Cobblestone, Little Earth and McGillicuddys on the West side offer cash once items have sold. Items typically get discounted after 60 days so you want to make sure you are consigning your best pieces that are seasonally appropriate.
Clothing Consignment TIPS
- Check website for rules and tips to get your items accepted
- Book an appointment
- Washed and folded items without stains or pet hair
- Bring in current season
- Items that are already low cost new don’t sell as well as designer brands
Consigning Toys in Vancouver
Toys can be traded in for store credit at Toy Traders in Langley, as well as other clothing consignment stores like the ones mentioned above. Make sure there has not been a recall or they are missing parts. It’s also good to call first to make sure they have the shelf space to accept toys at this time.
Recycling Batteries Across Canada
If toys don’t work, make sure you recycle the batteries. Batteries contain valuable zinc and in partnership with WE Day, they can be recycled. The Zinc Saves Lives Battery Recycling Campaign is amazing. For every AA battery recycled, Teck will donate the value of zinc recycled to WE in support of zinc and health programming in Kenya. Call 2 Recycle helps you identify where to drop off batteries.
Trading in Video Games and Tech Across Canada
Video games and systems can be traded for store credit at EB games. Best Buy also has a diverse trade-in program. You can trade in cell phones, consoles, games, laptops, and tablets. On their website there is an estimator to see an approximate credit value.
Consigning Sports Equipment in Vancouver
Sports equipment can be traded for store credit, cash, consignment or to provide gear to community programs that need it at Play It Again Sports. This is the south surrey link but there are lots of locations. There is no appointment necessary, and you can decide if you would like to sell, trade, consign or donate your items. There is a similar situation with Cheapskates on the Westside.
Bikes and snow gear can be traded in at Sports Junkies on West Broadway. You can simply drop in with gear for an estimate.
Consigning or Donating Books in Vancouver
Books can be cash or trade at Tanglewood Books in Kitsilano. You can also donate books, DVDs, CDs and magazines to the Vancouver Public Library.
Doctor’s offices, women’s shelters and school libraries are also great places to offer nearly new books and magazines.
YNOTFORTOTS is a charity that connects schools with supplies they need – you can donate new or repurposed items (like books or sports equipment) that schools have specifically registered for on their item registry.
When you are selling on craigslist, you can get some great deals and also get rid of a ton of items! Our only wish is that you are safe. When in doubt, you can always use your local police station lobby as a safe zone destination for the transaction to take place.
Check out my appearance on CTV where we talked about this:
[…] freshen up your home. While you tidy up, set aside lightly used items that you no longer need for donation or recycling. There’s no better feeling than reducing clutter and helping those in need while you do […]