Your old typewriter, karaoke machine and floppy discs don’t have to sit in a corner gathering dust any longer. They can now be recycled at New Life Furniture and Recycling, along with your small satellite dish, VHS tapes, radar detector, overhead projector, disposable camera, CB radio, musical instruments with electronic components — the seemingly endless list contains dozens of items.
Through the Encorp Return-It program, the 114 Northwest Blvd. store can take more items than ever, expanding from electronics — such as TVs and computer monitors — and small appliances.
“The things we don’t recycle, we try to refer to another place,” said manager Amanda Cannon.
The recycling shop is run by Kootenai Community Centre Society, and the profits from used furniture sales and recycling go to social programs, including Stopping the Violence (Irvine House women’s shelter, Older Women’s Safe Home and Outreach Services for Women), advocacy, child care programs (Teddy Bear Day Care, Grizzly Bear Out of School Care) and youth programs (Beyond Wild and PARTY — Prevent Alcohol and Risk-Related Trauma in Youth).
Since it opened about four years ago, New Life has expanded its services, and moved from a smaller Alice Siding location to the downtown storefront that allowed higher visibility and more space — space that hasn’t been empty since. Each week, Encorp takes away between 1,440 and 1,700 kg of recyclables — the greater volume means the program always needs volunteers.
“They don’t need to be able to lift,” said Cannon. “We try to stack non-lifters with those who can lift.”
For more information, drop by the store or call 250-428-0098.