By Melissa Boyce and Sharon Sill
New Canaan residents may be familiar with local environmental charity Planet New Canaan through our initiatives such as the annual Hallowe’en pumpkin recycling program to feed livestock, Christmas Tree recycling and river clean ups. However, the New Canaan Swap Shop is likely our best known and most popular initiative.
Opened in November 2022 with the support of New Canaan’s Department of Public Works, Transfer Station staff and Conservation Commission, the Swap Shop’s goal is to divert usable items from the municipal waste stream, thereby saving the Town money and the planet the burden of disposal. The Swap Shop name is a misnomer as there is no ‘swapping’ involved; the name is a nod of thanks to the Darien Swap Shop volunteers who were so generous to Planet New Canaan with their time and guidance.
Open Hours
The volunteer-run Swap Shop is open Wednesday through Saturday from 9am to 1pm, and Friday winter hours of 9am to noon. It is closed during inclement weather. There is an Instagram page (@newcanaanswapshop) with updates on weather closings and highlights of current items.
How the Swap Shop Works
So how do you use the Swap Shop? First, a Transfer Station pass is necessary. The annual pass is good from July through the following June and costs $75, or $45 for households with private garbage collection. Passes are not prorated, so now is the time to purchase a pass. To purchase a pass or for more information, go to: https://www.newcanaan.info/departments/public_works/permit_application_.php
Once you have your pass, feel free to drop off accepted items. Accepted items include glassware, housewares, holiday decorations, artwork, small appliances, furniture, lamps, kids’ toys, board games, puzzles, sports equipment, bikes, electronics, pet supplies, instruments and more! Some items are brand new, still in their original boxes, never opened. For a full list of acceptable (and unacceptable) items, and complete Swap Shop information, go to https://www.planetnewcanaan.org/swap-shop/. Please note we do not accept clothes, fabrics, stuffed animals or sharp knives. Drop-off only during open hours.
Everything Is Free
Yes, you read that right: Everything is free. We sometimes have confused ‘customers’ asking if they can really just walk out with items. The answer is Yes! Please note that we do have some items bearing the Swap Shop name and we ask you to leave those, as we need some items to maintain the space. There is a twenty minute time limit for each visit to help us ensure there is enough parking and space inside for customers.
Does everything dropped off get reused? Unfortunately no – but we’re trying. However, everything is given a chance to find a new home. Volunteers are constantly organizing and staging items to make for a better ‘shopping’ experience, and our volunteers often take items that haven’t moved to organizations outside of New Canaan which can use them.
Stop By. Have Fun.
Is it fun to find an item at the Swap Shop? Absolutely! ‘Customers’ have sent us photos of their grandchild with a sled they found at the Swap Shop, or of a small table they fixed up that now graces their breakfast room. However, the people who may be the most excited are those who see something they dropped off get picked up to go to a new home. As one person told us, “I just dropped it off and it’s already been adopted!” That’s a great feeling, and dropping off reusable items helps New Canaan be more sustainable.
Melissa Boyce and Sharon Sill are the Swap Shop’s Co-Chairs. Email: info@plantnewcanaan.org
