FLOOD VICTIMS URGED TO USE MATERIALS EXCHANGE
FOR FREE HOUSEHOLD OR BUSINESS GOODS
Give Away or Get Free Furniture and Furnishings Online with RIRRC Service
JOHNSTON, R.I. (April 7, 2010) – No more furniture in the basement? Was your office furniture contaminated by the flood waters? Rhode Island Resource Recovery Corporation hosts a free online exchange Web site (www.rirrc.org/free) where Rhode Islanders can get free, slightly used items, or they can give away such items. For households and businesses ravaged by the floods, this is an excellent way to refurnish without investing a lot of time and money.
People who want to donate couches, desks, chairs, rugs, clothing, file cabinets, lamps, bookshelves and more can post the items on the Web site. Those who want the items will contact the owner via phone or email and arrange for the exchange.
“This isn’t a brand new program but it’s perfect for this type of need,” said Mike OConnell, executive director of RIRRC. “In the aftermath of the recent devastating effects of the flood, the timing couldn’t be better for Rhode Islanders to take advantage of this service. We established the online exchanges to avoid wasting landfill space on slightly used consumer goods that deserve a second life. For folks who want to help their fellow Rhode Islanders who need to redecorate, this is an easy way.”
The Materials Exchange Web site has two links: One for business-related materials called ResourceXchange and one for household materials called FreeXchangeri. Both sites allow you to browse current listings, and post both listings of your own and any wanted items you may need.
Rhode Island Resource Recovery recently redesigned the exchanges sites to freshen them up.
“It’s a shame how much gets thrown into dumpsters when there are people who could use them right now,” said OConnell. “Through the Materials Exchange, by giving away things you might throw away, you can reduce your company’s or your own personal environmental impact and help out a neighbor in need.”
For more information, visit www.rirrc.org/free or call 942-1430 x112.
All Rhode Islanders in need of flood disaster assistance should register with FEMA at www.fema.gov or 1-800-621-3362 (TTY 1-800-462-7585).