Freebie Barn - Reopening in January 2023!
The Freebie Barn, located at the Kittery Resource Recovery Facility, has been a valuable asset to the Town of Kittery and sorely missed by our community since its temporary closure due to COVID-19.
The goal of the Freebie Barn is to reduce the number of items being sent into the waste stream, instead of simply delaying them and offering residents options to reuse or repurpose items that still have useful life. The Town of Kittery is excited to announce the reopening of the Freebie Barn in January 2023, with some new and exciting improvements.
To reintroduce the Freebie Barn program, the Town has been working with its Climate Adaptation Committee and Kittery Climate Action Now (KCAN) to make a variety of changes that will allow us to focus the types of items that are collected, assist residents with recycling and reutilization of common and urgently needed items, and reduce the number of items that linger at the Freebie Barn and ultimately end up in the waste stream.
In addition to changes in opeating hours, the Freebie Barn will be partnering with a variety of community organizations throughout the year to find new ways to recycle items that have not been repurposed by residents at the end of each month.
What’s new at the Freebie Barn?
The Freebie Barn will now collect different items each month, based on the most urgent needs of our community and recycling partners. During each month, residents are welcome to donate or pick up items that fit within designated categories. This will make for more efficient sorting, repurposing and recycling.
At the end of each month, any items left in the Freebie Barn will be brought to the Kittery Community Center for a one-day Community Swap.
Any items remaining after the Community Swap will be transferred to partners who specialize in the reuse, repurpose, or recycling of the specific items.
This approach will help ensure the Freebie Barn has circulating stock, and that the items quickly get into the right hands to be repurposed or recycled.
What types of items will be collected?
With each month, comes different needs. See the full list of themes below:
- January: Toys, games, winter sports equipment, winter clothing and coats
- February: Dishes, kitchen equipment and small appliances
- March: Tools (workshop, hand tools, gardening, etc.)
- April: Bikes; bike repair workshop
- May: Summer clothing, sports equipment
- June: Outdoor furniture, grills, yard tools and supplies
- July: OFF
- August: Household goods, kitchen supplies and fall sports equipment
- September: Books, music, instruments, sound equipment
- October: Furniture
- November: Toys, winter clothing, winter coats
- December: OFF
What if I have items I want to drop off that do not fit the themes above?
Working with our partners, the Town is developing a reuse/repurpose guide for residents. The guide will include the wide variety of options available to recycle all manner of items in our area.
Look for updates in the coming weeks.
What condition should items be in for drop off?
All items must be clean, dry and in good working condition. Volunteers will have to turn away items that are not capable of being reused or accepted by our recycling partners. Information will be provided for alternative recycling options, if possible.
Are there items the Freebie Barn will not accept?
The Freebie Barn cannot accept space heaters, mattresses, large appliances (refrigerators and dishwashers, etc.), air conditioners, car seats, paint, or stand-alone batteries.
When will the Freebie Barn be open?
- Freebie Barn: Wednesdays at the KRRF, 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM.
- Items within the given theme each month may be dropped off and/or claimed during Freebie Barn hours.
- Any items not claimed at the end of each month will be brought to a final community swap at the Kittery Community Center. The public is welcome to come to the Community Swap and search for treasures to be reused or repurposed.
- Community Swap: last Sunday of the month at the KCC, 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM.
- Additional items may be dropped off at the KCC on the day of the Community Swap, from 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM.
- Items not claimed by the end of the Community Swap will be transferred to our recycling partners.
Please note: the Freebie Barn’s open hours will be dependent upon volunteer availability.
How will the Freebie Barn operate?
The Freebie Barn is a volunteer-operated program and requires engaged citizens like YOU to help make it a success.
Volunteers will review items being dropped off to ensure they are associated with the given month’s theme, and determine the acceptability of donated items based on condition/use.
How can I get involved with the Freebie Barn?
The Town of Kittery is currently seeking green-minded volunteers to help run the Freebie Barn program. Volunteers are needed for the following shifts:
- Wednesdays at the Freebie Barn (located at the KRRF) from 11:00 AM - 2:00 PM.
- Last Saturday of the month, between 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM to transport donated items from the Freebie Barn to the KCC for the Community Swap.
- Last Sunday of the month at the KCC, a variety of shifts, 7:30 AM – 1:00 PM to assist with pre-Swap drop offs, Swap event set-up, and clean-up.
If you’re interested in volunteering to help run the new Freebie Barn program, please click here.
By participating in the Freebie Barn program to find new ways to recycle everyday items, we can all play a part in reducing waste and the environmental impact it has on the Town of Kittery.
If you have questions about the Freebie Barn, please contact Haley Mock at hmock@kitteryme.org or 207-475-1311.
