Relocating? Follow These Zero Waste Moving Tips

This is a press release from the City of Arcata:

Arcata, CA – The City of Arcata Environmental Services Department is encouraging community members to strive for zero waste when relocating in or outside of Arcata.

The countdown toward the end of the semester has begun, and many residents and students find themselves on the move when the spring semester concludes. Historically, this time of year means more unwanted furniture, household items, clothing and books being left on street corners or sidewalks as individuals relocate.

Most members of our community are unaware that free boxes and dumped furniture are a violation of the California Penal Code and Arcata’s Municipal Code, and these violations can create unnecessary damage to our environment.

The City of Arcata is striving to achieve zero waste in our community, and there are many other options for residents, students and landlords to be consider before dumping unwanted household items and furniture on community sidewalks. Many items can be reused and recycled, so they do not end up in a landfill becoming a burden to our environment.

The City of Arcata Environmental Services Department is offering these zero waste moving tips to community members:

1. Humboldt State University hosts its “Donation Dash” every year! HSU students living on and off campus can drop off unwanted clothes, bedding, dishes, unopened food, books, small appliances and electronics at the College Creek Donation Station located in the campus parking lot across from the Marketplace. There will also be drop-off stations for on-campus residents at The Hill Quad and at Creekview Apartments. This opportunity to donate to local charities open to current HSU students only. Students living off campus must be able to provide their HSU Student ID at the donation station when dropping off unwanted items. This year, the “Donation Dash” donation stations will be open:

 Wednesday, May 15 and Thursday, May 16 from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m.

 Friday, May 17 from 9 a.m. to midnight

 Saturday, May 18 from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.

2. Sell or give away unwanted household goods on Craigslist at humboldt.craigslist.org/. Mattresses are a particularly hot Craigslist item and nice ones get snapped up right away!

3. Sell or donate unwanted books, and sell unwanted clothing to local businesses.

 Tin Can Mailman, located at 1000 H Street, will buy up to 2 bags or boxes of clean books and textbooks for cash or store credit, in addition to accepting donations.

 Willow and Rags, located at 761 8th Street, accepts consignments for gently used clothing, up to 20 items per month.

4. Donate unwanted unopened food items to Food For People. Food For People is the designated Food Bank for Humboldt County and coordinates the distribution of food countywide through a variety of hunger relief programs. For more information on how to donate, visit foodforpeople.org.

5. Contact local thrift stores and recycling centers. Some will pick up sofas and refrigerators, plus, everything sold in local thrift stores benefits a worthy nonprofit.

6. For tips on how to find local thrift stores and recycling centers, visit cityofarcata.org/275/Zero-Waste.

 Print the Don’t Dump & Run brochure to use as a guide. Brochures may also be picked up at City Hall located at 736 F Street.

 Landlords can request free brochures in bulk by calling 707-822-8184, or by sending an email to [email protected].

7. If you are unable to sell or donate unwanted items, and are already paying for garbage service, call Recology Arcata at 707-822-0304 to schedule a bulky trash pickup. All garbage service customers are entitled to two FREE bulky trash pickups each year. Find out more at recology.com/recology-arcata/bulky-items.

8. If thrift stores and non-profits can’t take your items, make sure to take them to the appropriate disposal site. Visit cityofarcata.org/309/Hazardous-Special to learn how to properly dispose of everything from a light bulb to appliances and furniture.

To report illegal dumping, please call the Arcata Police Department at 707-822-2424. For more information on zero waste practices visit, cityofarcata.org or call the Environmental Services Department at 707-822-8184.