Swap Shop

Living in Cape Elizabeth, we don't have the luxury of someone picking up our trash.  Instead, we need to bring it to our transfer station.  Since our first tour of the station by one of its employees, Mary, I've always been impressed the operation.  At almost no cost we can dump anything we need to.  Brush, leaves, trash, ash, mattresses, big metal things, recyclables, and unwanted toys and other household items.  The latter always gets organized at the Swap Shop which is available to any Cape Resident.  We get to drop items off and pick up anything we'd like - all at no cost.  It's a great way to keep usable items out of the landfill and pass along to new homes.

The anticipation of going is high - it's kind of like going Yard Sale-ing without having to bring your wallet.  I've been blessed to find big ticket items like a four drawer filing cabinet, step stools, Step 2 slide, soccer nets, teacups and candles for Reuse Zone, dress up clothes, mason jars, books for me, books for Abby, and lots of great toys.  A Melissa and Doug art easel and more recently a Lakeshore doll house and ALL the furniture!  Being Green does save money! (Yes, I wipe things down with sanitizer before using :-) )

I love also being able to drop things off we don't need.  I keep a basket by the door to take with us on our next trip to the transfer station. They might be knick knacks or household goodies - our trash is someone else's treasure.  I'm sort of glad we don't have the convenience of curbside pick up. It's way more fun to "shop" at the Swap!