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| COLLECTION CENTERS / RECYCLING |
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Swap Shops
Swap Shops were set up to keep reusable materials out of a landfill. Swap Shops are placed at staffed collection centers where people are already bringing their garbage and recyclables. At a Swap Shop citizens can drop off items they no longer have a need for but which still have a useful life. Other citizens pick up items they want from the Swap Shop, such as furniture, clothing, books, and other household items. Having a collection center attendant clean out the Swap Shop greatly increases diversion rates, as a neat facility makes it easier for citizens to find items they want.
The intent of the Chatham County Swap Shop has been clarified over the years. Waste Reduction is the first priority. The Swap Shops are not intended to be a charity service that reserves items for the most needy in the community. Items are available on a first-come, first-serve basis, and guards do not monitor who takes items. If citizens want their items to go to a certain population of the community, they are encouraged to use local PTA thrift stores or the Salvation Army.
Chatham County's Swap Shop Design and Maintenance
Chatham County has Swap Shops at all 12 collection centers. They are three-sided sheds with a roof that have been framed out of wood. The Swap Shops sit on a concrete pad and measure 10 ft. x 13 ft. Shelves, hooks, and rods are used to hang clothing and display items. Chatham County's Swap Shops were constructed for between $2,000 and $3,000 per building (including lumber, concrete pad, shingles, and labor).
Collection Center attendants generally spend 5% of their time monitoring and maintaining the Swap Shops. They make sure items are reusable and not dangerous. The Swap Shops should be treated as retail stores and kept clean and organized so that more materials are exchanged. Volunteers are recruited at busier Swap Shops to help keep them neat and organized.
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