JUNK
Recycling Point Dot Com
2 Kallang Ave, 08-12 Kallang Bahru Complex, tel: 6293-5250, www.recyclingpoint.com.sg
What: The 19-year-old company collects used computers, printers, printed circuit boards and other electronic gadgets for recycling.
Requirements: None.
How: Call to make an appointment for free home collection.
Tes-Amm Singapore Pte Ltd
9 Benoi Sector, Tes-Amm Building, tel: 6861-3576, www.tes-amm.com
What: The five-year-old company recycles unwanted electronic goods as part of an initiative to save the environment.
Requirements: None, but computers and computer parts, rather than household electronic appliances, are preferred.
How: Drop off unwanted electronic goods at the bins on the ground floor of the building or the front counter.
DONATE
National Environment Agency
Tel: 1800-225 5632, www.nea.gov.sg
What: The NEA develops and spearheads programmes to help create a greener environment.
How: For a full list of donation and collection points, visit http://www.nea.gov.sg/cms/rcd /locations/map.html
SWOP FOR CASH
Cash Converters
Five outlets islandwide including 01-674 Block 192 Toa Payoh Lorong 4, tel: 6354-3380, www.cashconverters-asia.com
What: Sell your used electronic gadgets and get instant cash. For instance, you can get $20 for a PSP game and about $100 for a game console.
Requirements: All items have to be in working order and come with the necessary accessories. No large furniture items and appliances such as washing machines and fridges and 'old school' items such as cassette players and laser discs. For a full list of acceptable items, check the website.
How: Take your items to any of the five outlets - Admiralty, Ang Mo Kio, Bedok North, Jurong East and Toa Payoh (check locations online). A selling price will be negotiated based on the condition of the item. The store does not provide price estimates over the phone.
Barangguru
35 Perak Road, tel: 6396-3846, www.barangguru.com
What: The five-year-old company buys your unwanted electronic gadgets. It also helps you find buyers for your electronic appliances and gadgets that they do not accept so you do not have to go through the hassle of advertising.
Requirements: None. Non-working electronic gadgets are accepted too.
How: Take your smaller gadgets to the store for an assessment and price quotation. For bulky items such as TV sets and computers, call and make an appointment and the company will collect them at no charge.
JUNK
Save The Environment Programme
52 Genting Lane, 01-01 Block I Ruby Land Complex, tel: 6293-5250, e-mail: [email protected]
What: Set up earlier this month, this local non-profit project programme picks up any unwanted items, from clothing to old electrical appliances, directly from your home.
Requirements: Pick-up is free if you can gather at least 100kg of items. All clothing should be bagged before pick-up. Undergarments, socks, towels and clothes that are torn, stained, tattered or mouldy will not be accepted.
How: E-mail your name, contact number, address, items to be picked up and preferred date and time to [email protected].
DONATE
Minds Good As New Charity Shop
800 Margaret Drive, tel: 6474-1043
What: This charity shop, which supports the Movement for the Intellectually Disabled of Singapore (Minds), accepts unwanted lightly worn clothing, jewellery, bags and shoes. The money raised is used to fund Minds' projects.
Requirements: Items must not be too big or bulky and should be in a decent condition. Rejected items are given to rag-and-bone men.
How: The shop is open only on Tuesdays and Thursdays, 10.30am to 3pm, but clothing can be deposited in the donation box outside the store anytime.
Blessings In A Bag
Two drop-off points, including Comics Mart, 02-05 Serene Centre, tel: 6466-4213, and Scape Youth Centre lobby, 113 Somerset Road, tel: 6735-4144, e-mail: [email protected], blessingsinabag.org
What: A local non-profit organisation founded in 2007 by 987FM DJ Emily Teng, 23. Donated new or used children's and adult clothing - and also blankets, first aid kits and toys - are sent to the needy in Asia including Cambodia, Indonesia and the Philippines.
Requirements: Will take all clothing but ask yourself first if you would wear the item yourself or give it to your own child or a friend to wear.
How: Drop off the items between 11am and 8pm daily at Comics Mart; and between 10am and 10pm from Tuesday to Sunday at Scape Youth Centre.
New2U
Singapore Council of Women's Organisations Centre, 96Waterloo Street, New2U Shop, tel: 6837-0611, www.scwo.org.sg
What: Run by volunteers, this thrift shop set up in 2000 sells pre-loved clothing to raise money for Star Shelter, a refuge for abused women and children.
Requirements: When dropping them off, mark the items 'Donation for New2U'.
They must be clean and in wearable condition.
How: Drop the items off at the SCWO lobby between 9am and 6pm, Mondays to Fridays.
SWOP FOR CASH OR KIND
Maternity Exchange
Exchange Concepts, 09-13 Eunos Tech Park, tel: 6841-9142, e-mail: [email protected], www.maternityexchange.sg
What: Set up in 2005, the store sells and rents maternity clothes from both local and international labels. From Feb16, it will launch a 'Buy My Love' service where customers can sell maternity clothing they no longer want or need for a cheque or vouchers to use at Maternity Exchange.
Requirements: Only lightly worn occasion and work wear labels such as Seraphine, Ripe and Isabelle Oliver. No casual clothing such as tank tops and tees.
How: E-mail a list of brands and photos of your items. If they are suitable, a representative will make an appointment with you to view the items at the Eunos office. Maternity Exchange has a store in Marina Square but it will not entertain walk-in requests for this programme there.
Her Glass Slipper
30 Raffles Place, 02-26 Chevron House, tel: 6438-0211, www.herglassslipper.com
What: This designer accessories boutique is collecting used shoes to sell to raise money for the Kidz Horizon Appeal.
The charity helps children with chronic and terminal illnesses.
Get a $50 gift voucher for the store and a $50 coupon for the website for every pair of shoes you donate.
Requirements: Shoes can be from any label but no sneakers, boots or flip-flops. They must be wearable with no scratches or scuffs. Leather straps and heel tips must be intact. Shoes must be donated before March 31.
How: Take your shoes to the store between 11am and 8pm from Mondays to Fridays and between 11am and 3pm on Saturdays.
Tanglin Mall Second Hand Fashion Bazaar
Information Counter, Level 2 Tanglin Mall, tel: 6736-4922
What: A street market is held every first and third Saturday of the month where the public can sell second-hand clothing, bags and shoes. Currently, there are about 50stalls.
Requirements: Vendors must be 18 years and above and hold a Singapore IC. To rent a space, pay a non-refundable fee of $85 via Nets. No minimum number of items but you must keep them within your allotted stall space.
How: To register for a stall, apply a month in advance, although sometimes spaces are available earlier.
Cavallino
01-45 Tanglin Shopping Centre, tel: 6838-0108
What: The 12-year-old store buys and sells second-hand designer luggage, handbags and wallets. Buying price depends on the condition of the piece and what season it is from.
Requirements: You must leave your personal particulars if you are selling a piece; these will remain confidential. Bags must be from high-end labels such as Louis Vuitton, Hermes or Chanel and be in good condition - small scratches will be factored into the price. Tears or deep markings are a definite no.
How: Take your items to the store to be assessed.
Cash Converters
Five outlets islandwide including Block 710A, Ang Mo Kio Ave 8, 01-2625, tel: 6453-8858, www.cashconverters-asia.com
What: Cash paid on the spot for items. The chain also makes free house calls if you have a lot of stuff. Download a House Call Request Form from the website then e-mail or fax your list of items and someone will get back to you within three working days.
Requirements: You must show your IC. No clothing or shoes, but fashion accessories such as sunglasses, bags and watches are accepted.
All items must be in working condition and have the relevant accessories, such as a sunglasses case.
How: Drop off your items at any of its five outlets between 10.30am and 9pm daily. Check store locations online.
'Your Clothes Friend' Swap
E-mail: [email protected]
What: Event organiser Laura Coulter, 32, an expatriate from Canada, has been hosting these women-only clothing swops here for the past six years. Events are held two to three times a year with an average of 50 participants each time. Turn up with as much or as few clothes as you like and take any quantity you like.
Any clothing not swopped is donated to The Salvation Army. Door proceeds go to Habitat For Humanity, an international non-profit organisation that helps find affordable housing for the needy.
Requirements: Must be in good, wearable condition.
How: The next swop is on Feb 10, 7 to 9pm, at 54 Blair Road, near Outram MRT. There is a flat door fee of $20 per person.
YouSwop
Tel: 9134-9955, www.youswop.com
What: This online company lets registered users swop unwanted clothes, bags and shoes with people around the world, using YouSwop dollars (YS$). YS$1 is equivalent to US$1. You can swop items ranging from clothing, consumer electronics to DVDs.
Requirements: To register, you must be 18 or over. Items must be in good condition and listed with accurate details and a realistic value in YS$. You can also give away your items.
How: To be a member, you must be invited. If you do not know existing members, e-mail [email protected] to have your application reviewed.
Once you are accepted, you can upload the items you wish to swop with a realistic value in YS$. Other users can then opt to buy your item with their YS$. You earn YS$ by uploading more items to swop.
