Hong Kong was the first to see the impact as used masks were found littering their beaches. While in Louisiana and other US states, gloves and wipes littered the streets and it has gotten so bad that people are posting photos on social media of the used sanitary products scattered on the street. People are growing increasingly concerned about the littering of the protective gear as it is a safety hazard and increasing the environmental problem, as all the protective gear is made of plastic and the litter will go down drains and end up in the ocean and be eaten by wild life causing them to choke and die.

USA and Hong Kong are not the only places that have been affected due to Covid-19. Rubbish collection drop off sites in Waterloo and Cambridge in Canada have been shut down and will finally be reopening on May 4^th. Whereas Bangkok has seen a 15% rise in plastic waste due to people spending more time at home and buying delivery services with plastic packaged fast-food due to Covid-19. Also rubbish collection services in Brussels, Belgium has been disrupted due to storage of staff because of the outbreak resulting in some waste not being collected.

So how did Covid-19 affect New Zealand’s waste? As kiwis, we were lucky that our rubbish, recycling and scrap bin collections were considered essential, so we haven’t had any problems with disposing of our usual household rubbish. However, Auckland Council announced on the 1^st of April that covid-19 had affected the process of disposing of paper and cardboard waste produced and disposed of by households. Auckland’s paper and cardboard waste will be dumped into landfills until further notice rather than being recycled. This is due to changes in the international trade and buying of processing paper recyclables. (Source)

As well as paper and cardboard being placed in landfill, the Auckland council inorganic collections are being postponed from the 26^th of March, and no bin removals, exchanges or minor repairs will be done until further notice.

Also, the Waitakere Refuse and Recycling Centre has decreased its hours to the public and is only accepting refuse and green waste.

Here’s where we can help! Our team can come pick up and clear any rubbish and garden waste that you have accumulated over the level 4 period. Whether it’s the inorganic collection, a single item, green waste or hazardous waste, we can dispose of it for you. Just send us an email or call us on 0800 386 763 for an estimated quote.

The clean out

Sometimes its hard giving away things that you don’t use but are attached too. To avoid the stress of cleaning out use the three-box system when looking through your stuff. It’s a simple system, just get three boxes and label them “YES, NO, MAYBE.” The YES box is for all the things that you are 100% sure you want to giveaway. Put items in the yes box that you are positive you don’t want anymore. The MAYBE box is for all the items you might want, but might not want either. Lastly, the NO box is for all the objects you can’t part with. As you look through your stuff, separate the items into the different boxes as you go. After this is done and you have looked through everything, go through the MAYBE box one more time and see if there is anything that can go in the YES box.  Then take the YES box to one of these many charity shops.

Check the condition

This is an important step because charity shops aren’t rubbish dumps, they are shops. So, as you look through your objects and clothes, check the condition of each item. Each item needs to be in good enough condition for other people to be able to use it and want it. Clothes, bedding, towel and other material-based things need to be checked for holes, stains, or tears. If they do have any of these and are in bad condition, throw these items away or better yet recycle and reuse them. Electronics need to be in working condition and safe to use, shoes cant have holes in them and large furniture need to be fully functional and in a good state. If you are unsure about the condition of an object ask a friend or family member to decide with you.

Where to donate:

Habitat for Humanity ReStore

Address: 7 Dora Street, Henderson, Auckland 0612

This charity store assists kiwi families with building, renting and then buying homes so that they can feel secure and have a sense of belonging in a community. This charity also helps when a natural disaster occurs and homes need to be rebuilt. Their most recent projects are taking place in Christchurch and Samoa.

Items they accept: New and gently used items are accepted daily at their stores from residents and businesses. Objects like furniture, clothing, toys, kitchenware, books, appliances, tools and general items. They also pick up your stuff and deliver.

Opening Hours: Monday to Friday 9am-5pm, Saturday 10am-3pm, Sunday Closed.

SPCA Op Shop

Address: 18 Catherine Street, Henderson, Auckland 0612

For all the animal lovers out there, when donating to the SPCA you support animal care. They care for sick, injured, abused and abandoned animals.

Items they accept: All items need to be in good, sellable condition, not damaged, broken or stained or torn. Items include: clothing, jewellery, kitchenware, furniture, linen, toys and bric-a-brac furniture and things for your pets. They do pick up big furniture.

Items they do not accept: pillows, mattresses, open toiletries, consumables, electrical goods, motorcycle and bike helmets.

Opening hours: Monday to Friday 9:30am-4:30pm, Saturday 9:30am-2:30pm, Sunday Closed.

St John Opportunity Shop

Address:  433 Great North Road, Henderson, Auckland 0610

St John’s supports local youth programmes and use the second hand store profits for purchasing new ambulances and health shuttles. They are a medical care ambulance service.

Items they accept: Pre-loved goods, general items.

Opening hours:  Monday to Friday 9am-4:30pm, Saturday 10am-2pm, Sunday Closed.

Salvation Army Family Store

Address: 3A Trading Place, Henderson, Auckland 0612

The Salvation Army helps fight poverty and social and spiritual distress by giving food, clothing and advice assistance to families and individuals.

Items they accept: clothing, furniture, household goods, toys and books.

Opening hours: Monday to Friday 9am-5pm, Saturday 9:30am-4pm, Sunday Closed.

CCF OP Shop 

Address: 17/19 Railside Avenue, Henderson, Auckland 0612

This store supports Community Christian Fellowship and their community programmes such as food banks, Christians Against Poverty Debt Centre, Community Kai, Reaching Out and other ministries.

Items they accept: To be confirmed.

Opening hours: Monday to Friday 9am-5pm, Saturday 9am-4pm, Sunday Closed.

The Hospice Shop

Address: 208 Swanson Road, Henderson, Auckland 0610

This store helps with health care and social care to people with a terminal or life-limiting illness.

Items they accept: General Items

Opening hours: Monday to Sunday 9am-5pm.

Red Cross Shop

Address: 435 Great North Road, Henderson, Auckland 0610

This store assists kiwis with hot meals, safe drives to hospitals and education programmes. They also help affected areas that need help from emergencies and conflict all over the world.

Items they accept: Clothing, furniture and homeware. They pick up and deliver to you.

Opening hours: Monday to Saturday 9am-5pm, Sunday 10am-4pm.

If you have any more questions about a specific second hand store, call the store during their working hours. You can find their numbers on their websites.

If you have rubbish or items that are in bad condition and need to be removed, call us on 0800 DUMP ME and we can give you a free quote today.