MCC Furniture and More Offers New Way to be Green

Mennonite Central Committee (MCC) Thrift Shops across North America were “green” long before that was a trendy, fashionable term. By selling used products that have been donated and in some cases repaired for re –sale, Thrift Shops keep many items out of landfills, giving them a second life. The added bonus is that by shopping at an MCC Thrift Shop, you also support MCC's relief and development work locally and around the world.

Here in Abbotsford, the MCC Furniture and More Shop on the corner of South Fraser Way and Countess has been part of this green movement since July of 1973. And now the volunteers and managers there want to offer another unique way for you to benefit the environment and make a difference in the life of someone in need.

New regulations moving towards a zero-tolerance for electronic appliances and electrical devises in landfills provides residents with a challenge: where can you dispose of unwanted, broken items? The answer lies in part with the MCC Furniture and More shop.

“The MCC Furniture and More shop accepts certain electrical equipment and electronic appliances,” says John Wittenberg, a volunteer at the shop. “If an item cannot be repaired for re –sale in the shop, we extract the metals and parts that can be sold.”

The remainder is taken away by a local business, which does so for no cost and recycles the materials according to government regulations. Since all the work is done by volunteers at the MCC Furniture and More, it means that all the money that is made by selling the metal goes back to support the ministry of MCC.

Wittenberg is passionate about the work of MCC and about taking care of the environment and wants everyone to participate.

“Your donation will help heal the environment and enable MCC to minister to the destitute all around the world,” he says, adding that the volunteers at the shop are organizing a pilot project to see how much material they can accommodate.

MCC Furniture and More is making a concerted effort to gather appliances. Because of limited space, they reserve the right to limit quantities. Receiving hours are Monday – Friday from 9-4 and Saturday from 9-3.

“By recycling your discarded electrical and electronic appliances, MCC is being environmentally friendly and helping our community keep these items out of landfills,” Wittenberg says.

For more information contact the Furniture and More Shop at (604) 854 2062.

The following items will be accepted at the MCC Furniture and More Shop on South Fraser Way (at Countess):

TVs, Computers, Printers, Microwaves, Food mixers, Juicers, Carving knives, Bread makers, Electric motors, Food waste disposers, Hair dryers and curlers, Vacuums, Floor polishers, Air conditioners, Treadmills, Rowing machines, and any material containing lead, zinc, copper, aluminum (doors and windows) brass (faucets, trinkets, pots) and stainless steel.

For more information about our Thrift Shops or to volunteer, contact the Thrift Shop nearest you or contact our office. For more information on the Thrift Shops please contact the Thrift Shop Coordinator at: (604) 850-6639 in Abbotsford, 857-0011 toll free from Vancouver or 1-888-622-6337 from outside the Lower Mainland. E-mail thrift@mccbc.com