Give or Take day to help Hackney residents clear out for the New Year

Hackney Council's recycling team is holding a "Give or Take" day this Saturday, in order to help residents clear out for the New Year and get rid of household clutter.

Give or Take day on Saturday 23 January, 11am - 2pm, at St Monica’s RC Primary School, N1, is an ideal opportunity to say goodbye to those unwanted Christmas gifts lurking in the back of the cupboard.

Previous events have been a big success, with residents giving away unwanted household items such as toys, clothes, books, tools, kitchenware - even bikes and furniture. What might seem like a pile of useless bits and bobs could be the perfect addition to another person’s home.  

On the day, you can give something you no longer want between 11am and 12.30pm, then Give or Take at the same time from 12.30 to 2pm. But you don’t have to give something to take something.

Big items such as fridges are not accepted and all smaller electrical items will be safety tested at the event.

Everything is free; no money is exchanged.

Councillor Alan Laing, Cabinet Member for Neighbourhoods, said: “Too many items are thrown away each year, especially around this time of year. Our Give or Take days are a great way to help divert materials from entering the waste stream. They encourage people to think about what can be reused and how they can help to reduce waste in Hackney.”

Dalston resident Emma Carlisle, of Graham Road, said: "I'm going to be going along on Saturday because I've just moved house and it sounds like a great opportunity to unload some of my unwanted furniture.

"I'm also on the look out for a new table and chairs, so it would be great if I could get some for free."

Hackney residents are already making great efforts by recycling old clothes and shoes, and helping to raise urgently needed funds to support international development.

As reported last week, Dalston's Oxfam shop is also thriving in the recession.