Before you toss it: A holiday décor swap gives old treasures a second life

Every fall, the boxes come down from the attic, ornaments that no longer match the tree, holiday dishes that haven’t made it to the table in years, decorations bought for a house style that’s changed.

The easiest solution is often to throw them in the trash.

But in Cuyahoga County, residents will have another option this year: give those decorations to someone who might actually want them. 

A fresh take on holiday decorating

The Cuyahoga County Solid Waste District is hosting its first-ever Holiday Swap ‘Til You Drop, a free exchange that invites residents to drop off gently used holiday décor of any denomination and return later to “shop” for someone else’s castoffs.

The event will be on Saturday, Nov. 14, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., at the District’s Garfield Heights location, 4750 E. 131st Street.

Holiday Swap ‘Til You drop is the brainchild of Carin Miller, the education specialist for the District. “We’re always looking for new ways to reduce waste,” she said. “Recycling is important, but it’s also about waste reduction.There are quite a few free cycle events that happen around town.We talked about doing a regular free cycle event but then thought about doing a themed one.”

Giving unwanted décor a second life

Miller said they’re looking for items that are in good condition, things that you would feel comfortable giving to a family member or friend.

Browsers will enjoy a “no limit” approach to finding “new” old treasures. Items will be displayed in holiday categories to make for easier selection.

Any items not claimed during the event will be donated to Goodwill for distribution among its local sites.

More ways to reduce holiday waste and beyond

When buying holiday decorations, consider buying those made of more durable materials and avoid plastics. “Choose things that are reusable, that you are not going to toss,” said Miller.

In addition to the holiday swap event, the District offers ways to green the holidays and beyond. It also sponsors other recycling events throughout the year, titled Special Saturdays, which includes TV collection days.

Each spring, the District hosts ZeroLandfill, an event sponsored by the International Interior Design Association. Here, unused samples, including carpet tiles, fabrics and wall coverings garner a second life, instead of being placed in a landfill. Artists, teachers and creatives all benefit from turning the free materials into something amazing. 

The District collaborates annually with the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo for their Lights for Lions project. They collect broken or non-working holiday lights and extension cords to help protect lions and cheetahs in Tanzania. All holiday lights gathered during the swap event will be donated to the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo.

Intermittently, the District offers a Recycling Ambassador Program, where people enthusiastic about recycling and composting can indulge in their passion. Graduates of the course will be volunteering that day.

Reuse makes a difference

“The Universal Recycling Motto is ‘Reduce, Reuse or Recycle,’” said Chris Vilk, environmental manager for the city of Beachwood. “Since you already have an item, the next best option is to give it to someone else, extending its life. We are fortunate to be in Cuyahoga County where our Solid Waste District is diligently working to educate the public about recycling and providing opportunities to reduce our dependence on landfills through events like the Holiday Décor Swap ‘Til You Drop.”

Making the holidays more sustainable

Miller stressed the importance of reducing waste, especially during the holidays, where decorations, food, wrapping paper and other items often end up in the garbage. When possible, reusing decorations and holiday items.

According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency, during the holiday season, between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day, the amount of household garbage in the United States can increase by 25 percent, from 4 million tons to 5 million tons.

“Christmas-related items are something we constantly get into our shop,” said Macy Dickerson, shop manager at Upcycle Parts Shop in the St. Clair-Superior neighborhood. “So many people buy new Christmas décor, bags, containers, etc. every year and let them pile up in attics and basements until they reach us, other second-hand stores or very often, the landfill. When looking for what you need for Christmas, odds are there are plenty of ways you can go without buying something new.”

Being a first-time event, Miller anticipates a fun, serendipitous experience, not knowing what kinds of items people will donate and swap. Ideally, a sense of community will prevail, where people mingle, meet and make memories. 

Attendees can access the Cuyahoga County Solid Waste District often in less than a 25-minute, I-480 central commute. Free parking is also available. The Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority (GCRTA) provides several routes that service the location.