What is T2T?

Trash to treasure is a community based reuse event. It is an opportunity for you to give away those things that are still usable, but no longer needed. It is also an opportunity for you to see what others have and no longer need and want to give away. Everyone has things tucked away in closets and under beds that are no longer needed, but not everyone has the time to sell them. Trash to treasure is a quick and easy way to find a new home for these items.

1. Get all your things together

One person's trash is another person's treasure, but try to keep your offerings to items that are in reasonable shape.

2. Place them on your driveway

Put your items an in easily accessible place on your driveway or yard. Please don't put items on the curb or road.

3. Create a T2T sign

Either download and print a sign, or get creative and make your own! Put it near your items in a spot that can be clearly seen from the road.

4. Give it away

This is a good chance to meet the fine folks that make Kelowna a community. Hang out and say hello, or head inside. It's up to you!

5. Clean it Up - Remove all items by 4:00 PM

In order for T2T to be a success, clean up is most important. Donate any left-over items to charity. Check with them first, if no one else wanted your stuff, they might now want it too -- hey, we all make bad purchasing decisions from time to time. But, make sure that all items are gone and your signs are taken down before 4 PM.

The History of T2T in Kelowna

Presentation to Council

Counselor Luke Stack introduced to Kelowna city counsel the idea of Trash to Treasure on May 4, 2009 (minutes here, or listen here, 2 hours, 43 minutes in). The resolution agreed to was to have staff review the concept, and come back with a report.

Report Results

The staff report came back June 29, 2009 (minutes here, or listen here, 2 hours, 7 minutes in; report here). The consensus was that $12,500 would be needed to be allocated to the project, and that a pilot project might be organized for the spring. The tone of council and the mayor had changed, and had become somewhat negative towards the concept. A number of alternative options were presented, but the point of all of them seemed to be to defer the a decision to a future date. I am not aware of any action having taken place since that date.

A Community Organized Alternative

I (Keelan Lightfoot) first heard about this after the June 29 council meeting, I was surprised with the city's reaction to the plan; I have family in the Kootenays, and heard only good things about the T2T events that had been held there. I couldn't understand why it would require such an investment from the city to organize something as simple as a T2T event. I mulled it over for a while, and decided that the best alternative would be a community organized event -- one put on by the community for the community. That is why I have created this site.