TILI Shed a Fine Feather in White Plains’ Sustainability Cap
The White Plains Take It or Leave It Shed opened for business Saturday at 9 a.m. with a full gathering of people waiting outside for the doors to open. By 10 a.m. most of the items that had been dropped off earlier that same morning were already on their way to new homes – having been identified as “genuine treasure.” One lucky young lady was able to furnish most of her new apartment with furniture that another resident had just replaced with new items.
The transaction took about five minutes according to volunteers working that morning.
The fast flow of items in and out of the TILI Shed is sustainability at its best and one of White Plains DPW’s most heralded programs.
The idea was the brainstorm of EcoNeighbors member Marie McCann-Barab who had seen something similar in Chappaqua. She brought the idea back to the White Plains community environmental group and they began a discussion with Councilwoman Milagros Lecuona and White Plains DPW Commissioner Bud Nicoletti.
Together they decided to build the shed at the Gedney Recycling Yard. The collaborative effort, now in its fourth year, has been a great success.
DPW manages and maintains the program and EcoNeighbors supplies volunteers.
This year on Saturday mornings Master Gardeners from Cornell University Cooperative Extension have joined the EcoNeighbors and man a table at the TILI shed to provide horticultural advice.
“This spring is like no other we have seen,” said Master Gardener Nancy Giges. “We are about a month behind weather-wise where we normally would be and we don’t know if plants will catch up. We will have to wait and see.”
The Master Gardeners explained that many people were stopping by to find out when would be the best time to start a garden this year.
EcoNeighbors Yvonne Gumowitz and Carry Kyzivat said they had never seen the TILI Shed more organized.
“It has become a great resource, almost a community hang out,” said Kyzivat, adding that eventually they would like to add some educational programming about sustainability.
“White Plains has a Sustainability Committee that is doing good work but you can’t find out what’s going on because there’s nothing posted on the city’s website. We’d love to see that changed,” the EcoNeighbors members agreed. “White Plains should blow its horn more and tout its community’s involvement in sustainability.”
The TILI Shed program saves White Plains many tons of garbage each year and as it becomes well known that number goes up.
At the end of the season if there are items left over, TILI has a relationship with Furniture Sharehouse to get items distributed to needy families.
For White Plains residents interested in taking advantage of the TILI Shed, a list of acceptable items is posted on the front door. These include functioning, clean and gently used appliances, cookware, kitchenware, dishes and glassware (in excellent condition), sports equipment, bicycles, toys, games, baby equipment, children’s picture books, ornaments, home repair tools, gardening tools.
Unacceptable items include large appliances, air conditioners, refrigerators, TVs, monitors, construction debris, upholstered furniture, large furniture, bedding, clothing, books for adults, printers, faxes, semi-functional electronics, chipped or cracked dishes, plastic mugs/containers/dishes, skis, ski boots, stuffed toys, cribs, suitcases, anything really dirty.
Drop-offs during the hours when the shed is not open are not allowed.
The TILI Shed hours between April and October are Saturdays, 9 a.m. to Noon (Master Gardeners table is manned only on Saturdays); Wednesdays 2 to 4 p.m. Located at the Gedney Recycling Yard, 87 Gedney Way, White Plains.
Visit www.econeighbors.org for more information.
