Swap Shop Facts

(These anecdotes don’t have an actual data source…. )

• Everyone loves the Swap Shop … also know as the Eastham Stock Exchange!
• There are somewhere around 100 “Swap Sheds” in Massachusetts alone.
• Many love bringing their out-of-town guests to the Eastham Swap Shop … no, not to leave them there as donations.
• The Swap Shop is tied into Eastham’s larger recycling and reuse efforts by diverting usable goods from going to the incinerator, serving environmental, economic, and community goals.

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What’s Accepted at the Swap Shop

• Brown paper grocery bags with handles
• Egg cartons (1 dozen eggs, no styrofoam)
• Clean, reusable small appliances, vacuums (empty bag first).
  • (If you wouldn’t use it, please discard it.) 
• Lamps in good condition. Clean, not torn, lamp shades. 
• Plastic and wood hangers.
• Dinnerware, mugs, glassware: clean, in good condition.
  • (If chipped or cracked – please discard.) 
• Pots & Pans, in good reusable condition. Cast iron cookware.  Garden tools, if reusable.  
• Plant pots, depending on current inventory.
• Craft supplies and calendars. 
• Records, DVDs and CDs. 
• Clean stuffed toys. Children’s toys, puzzles & games (with all the pieces)  
• Clean books: fiction, non-fiction, novels, hard cover and paperbacks, recent magazines.
• Check with staff to drop off:  small pieces of furniture and small (clean-no stains) rugs.  

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What’s Not Accepted at the Swap Shop?

• Moldy books, you will see mold along the edge of the pages (when the book is closed) tiny pinkish dots, those need to go into the trash, not even into recycling.
• Humidifiers or dehumidifiers.  
• No microwaves, but microwave plates are fine. 
• No TVs, electronics. They go to the electronics dumpsters. 
• Scratched nonstick cookware: discard at the metal area, lower level.  
• Wire hangers. Drop at the metal pile.
• No educational materials. No encyclopedias.
• They go to the book bins, next to the shop. 
• Clothing, footwear, heavy linens, go to the bins near the weigh station.

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Where Did the Returnables Go?

If you’ve visited the Eastham Transfer Station recently, you may have noticed that the area for redeemable “Bottle Bill” bottles and cans has been closed. The Recycling Committee is currently exploring ways to continue this long-standing community effort.

According to Town of Eastham website:

Town of Eastham to Discontinue Bottles and Cans Recycling Program

After careful review, the Town of Eastham and the Eastham Elementary School Parents Group (EESPG) have decided to terminate the Bottles & Cans (B&C) recycling program effective October 1, 2025. The long-running initiative, which has been operating since 2000, has supported various EESPG initiatives and the maintenance of the Field of Dreams through revenue raised from redeemed bottles and cans.

Food Waste Compost Reminder

Please do not put plastic bags of any kind into the food compost bins at the Eastham Transfer Station — if plastic is found, Black Earth Compost will not pick up the load. Only certified compostable bags (labeled with BPI, TÜV, or CMA logos) are allowed.

Paper bags are also accepted and make an easy, plastic-free option for collecting scraps. Use plain paper grocery or lunch bags — just avoid waxed or plastic-coated ones.

Using the right bags keeps Eastham’s compost clean so every load can be turned into nutrient-rich soil instead of being rejected.

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Upcoming Events

• Oct 29 @ 10-11:30am : Create a More Resilient Eastham
  • Community Workshop at Eastham Town Hall
  • Help develop our Eastham Climate Action Plan!
• Oct 30 @ 6-7:30pm : Create a More Resilient Eastham
  • Community Workshop via Zoom
  • Help develop our Eastham Climate Action Plan!
• Nov 6 @ 6-7:30 pm : 2026 and Beyond–A Clean Energy Clinic for You and Your Home at the Eastham Library
  • Sponsored by the Town of Eastham for anyone seriously interested in adding heat pumps and/or solar to their home.
  • Arrive by 5:45pm for sign-in and table assignment
  • The event is free, but seating is limited; register at easthamclimate@gmail.com by November 3.
• Nov 18 @ 5pm: Recycling Committee Meeting (Eastham Town Hall)
• Dec 16 @ 5pm: Recycling Committee Meeting (Eastham Town Hall)