Ask Eartha Steward

Get News Feeds

SPECIAL TO THE DAILY
June 22, 2006

Comments
Print Email

Editor’s Note: The column “Talk Trash” is changing names starting this week, to “Ask Eartha Steward.”

Question: “What can I do with furniture that’s too good to throw away?” – Kay Beaton, Summit Cove

This week’s question is actually a tough one because there aren’t a lot of places to drop-off furniture or other large household items in Summit County to give them a chance at another life. But, since “reuse” is such a critical piece of recycling and sustainability, we’ll dig deep.

At the top of the list of reuse outlets is the Summit Thrift & Treasure Store, one of the best, most accessible places to drop-off materials. This nonprofit thrift store is located at 340 Fiedler Avenue in Dillon and all proceeds support the programs of the Family & Intercultural Resource Center. They accept donations Monday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the side door.

But, like most nonprofits, the Summit Thrift & Treasure store has limited space, resources, and relies on volunteers for much of their operation. The best way to support the Summit Thrift & Treasure and this critical part of reuse in the County is to know and respect their donation guidelines — and shop at their store for your own needs.

Summit Thrift & Treasure can not accept large furniture, like mattresses, couches, or large tables. However, they will gladly accept small furniture pieces, like end tables, lamps, chairs, and frames. Additionally, they accept housewares, like dishes, baskets, yarn, tablecloths, rugs, bedding, small electronics, books, DVDs, CDs, and other such items.

If you have a questionable item, call them first at (970) 262-2641, or visit www.summitfirc.org.

For furniture in very good shape, there is a new higher-end furniture consignment store called Alpine Accents located on Main Street in Frisco. They have a great selection and seem to be growing quickly. Call first for their consignment guidelines at (970) 668-3113.

Of course, Summit County is also home to a variety of seasonal rummage sales — and the biggest is the Summit County Seniors Annual Rummage Sale to be held this year on Aug. 11-13 at the Senior and Community Center at the County Commons. This event is one to plan your schedule around — many of my most fabulous articles of clothing and treasured household furnishings come from this event.

Donations for the Seniors Rummage Sale take place on August 10th and your donation goes to support important nonprofit programs in our community. Call them at (970) 668-2940 for more information or to volunteer for this fun event.

Then there’s always the trusty yard sale — easy to organize and advertise in the Summit Daily News, and even more fun when you talk to your neighbors and host a neighborhood yard sale together. Yard sales will always be in style because the old motto, “one person’s trash is another person’s treasure” rings true no matter where you are.

The Summit Daily News also offers the “Swap for Charity,” where you can post items that are under $300 for only $4 per week. The sweetest part of the deal: They donate $3 of your ad price to local nonprofits, including the High Country Conservation Center.

For those of us often attached to our computers (by choice or not) there’s an active local list serve called Summit Freecycle that allows you to post both items you need or need to get rid of.

Currently there are 237 members and posts almost daily. From dog houses to building materials to furniture, items on this list go quickly. You can sign up by going to groups.yahoo.com/group/SummitFreecycle.

Submit questions to Eartha

E-mail recycle@colorado.net with “Ask Eartha” as the subject, or write to High Country Conservation Center, P.O. Box 4506, Frisco, CO 80443.

The bottom line: Sometimes you have to do a little planning to reuse an item and save it from a gloomy fate in a hole at the Summit County landfill, but it’s worth it. Reuse is an integral part of any sustainable community and an important step towards the idyllic future of zero waste.

But, just like buying recycled paper, the loop only closes when you buy reused items and support your local thrift stores, yard sales, consignment shops, and rummage sales. So next time you’re thinking you need a new lamp to brighten your house or its time to upgrade your couch – remember reuse!

Plus, what’s more eco-chic than knowing your new lamp is living a second life in your home or that your less than perfect new couch is actually a show of support for a sustainable community?

Eartha Steward is written by Carly Wier, Holly Loff, and Beth Orstad, consultants on all things eco and chic at the High Country Conservation Center, a nonprofit 501(c)3 organization dedicated to waste reduction and resource conservation in our mountain community. Eartha believes that you can walk gently on our planet, even if you’re wearing stylie shoes.