Residents in Morgan Hill and Gilroy will have opportunities this month to sell, donate, repair and recycle unwanted items as the cities host the 24th annual Second Chance Week.
The annual event, scheduled for Sept. 12-20, encourages South County residents to put used goods back into circulation and keep reusable materials out of landfills, city officials from Morgan Hill and Gilroy said. Activities include citywide garage sales, donations of coats, eyeglasses and bicycles, and information about recycling and proper disposal of household waste.
The event begins with the Gilroy Citywide Garage Sale Sept. 12-13. Residents will participate in the sale, with a list and online map of participating addresses available Sept. 11 at noon. Registration closed Sept. 6.
The following week shifts to Morgan Hill, including the Morgan Hill and San Martin Citywide Garage Sale on Sept. 19-20. Residents can register their sales for additional advertising, with registration closing Sept. 13 at 11:59pm. A list and map of participating addresses will be posted Sept. 18 at noon.
To sign up for the citywide garage sales, visit tinyurl.com/5vxcf3wp.
Other activities throughout the week focus on keeping specific materials out of the waste stream.
“Universal Waste Awareness Day” on Sept. 14 will provide information about proper disposal of electronics, batteries, fluorescent lights and other materials that cannot be thrown in with regular garbage. Household batteries can be recycled at the curb for single-family homes when placed in a zipped plastic bag with tape covering the terminals.
Residents also can use local recycling and hazardous waste programs for electronics and mercury-containing devices. Some electronics drop-off locations may charge fees.
Sept. 15 is Trash Nothing Day, highlighting online networks that connect people with others who may be able to use unwanted items. Go to trashnothing.com to sign up.
Donate Coats for Kids & Adults Day is Sept. 16. Gently used coats can be donated from 8am-4pm at the Morgan Hill Community & Cultural Center (CCC), 17000 Monterey Road, or Gilroy City Hall, 7351 Rosanna Street.
Second Sight Day follows Sept. 17, when used eyeglasses can be donated at the Morgan Hill CCC or Gilroy City Hall from 8am-4pm.
Recycle Your Cycle Day on Sept. 18 will give residents an opportunity to donate gently used bicycles. Donations will be accepted at the Morgan Hill CCC parking lot from 8am-1pm and at South County Community Services, formerly St. Joseph’s Family Center, 7950 Church St. in Gilroy, from 9am-2pm.
Morgan Hill residents who live in apartments or other multifamily properties and cannot hold a garage sale at their homes can participate in a Multifamily Garage Sale Sept. 19 at the Morgan Hill CCC. Participation is free, but space is limited and registration is required by Sept. 13 at 11:59pm.
Residents looking for year-round options for unwanted goods can consult local reuse and recycling resources, including Friends of the Morgan Hill Library, Friends of the Gilroy Library, Goodwill, Hope Services, RecycleStuff and local recycling centers.
