Angell Elementary to host Neighborhood Swap Day on Saturday, April 13

Community members offer items for free and exchange items in good condition, such as clothes, books, and small appliances

Angell Elementary School, in collaboration with the City of Ann Arbor Office of Sustainability and Innovations and ZeroWaste.org, will hold a Neighborhood Swap Day on Saturday, April 13 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. (with drop-off starting at 9 a.m.) at Angell Elementary, 1608 S. University.

The event is open to the public. 

Neighborhood Swap Days presents a unique opportunity for community members to come together and share items with others, said Will Garcia, City of Ann Arbor Sustainability Coordinator for Circular Economy. 

“The primary objective of the event,” said Garcia, “is to provide resources for those in need while simultaneously reducing waste destined for landfills and mitigating the environmental impact of production through item swapping rather than purchasing new.”

Participants are encouraged to bring items they no longer need but are in good working condition to donate to the swap. Items accepted are listed here. 

There is no requirement for individuals to donate items in order to take items.

Taking items is just as vital as donating them—maybe even more so, said Lydia McMullen-Laird, Deputy Director, ZeroWaste.Org  ! 

“By reusing items, participants contribute to the reduction of carbon emissions and promote environmental sustainability,” said McMullen-Laird. “Participants can take items without donating, donate without taking, or both, fostering a culture of mutual support and resource sharing within the community.”

To RSVP for the event, visit www.zerowaste.org/a2swap.

Garcia said this will be the third Neighborhood Swap Day and the first in collaboration with AAPS. Another swap is scheduled for June 29 at Pioneer High School.

“We think that this event will be helpful to our whole community, including AAPS families, by providing an avenue for people to receive items—especially children’s clothing and housewares—who may otherwise struggle to receive these items,” said Garcia. “It also helps advance both of our organizations’ respective sustainability goals with regard to the circular economy and waste management.”