What's Up With The Still-Good Shed In Amherst?

There is no better feeling in the world than finding something amazing that somebody else decided they had no use for.

The Still-Good Shed at the Amherst Transfer Station allows residents drop off unwanted items that are clean, usable, and in working condition. It was built in 2007 as an eagle scout project by Christopher Unger, with support from organizations and businesses in the community.

This is a great idea to reduce waste and give items a second life, but a drop in volunteers has meant less hours for the shed to be open.

Amherst DPW director Bruce Berry said that the shed needs somebody stationed in order to prevent ammo, knives and other hazardous materials from being dropped off.

Unfortunately, Berry said that less people have stepped up to the job and there is little way to predict when the shed will be open during the week. The shed currently has five volunteers donating their time.

“It is nice for the community and a cost avoidance,” said Berry. “It is not going into the trash, and that reduces the tonnage sent out.”

The Town of Amherst currently pays $70.50 per ton for trash sent out from the transfer station.

Similar projects have proved difficult in other towns, according to Berry, where many volunteers are accused of snatching up the good items for themselves. This has not been an issue in Amherst, but Berry said it is usually better to have a town employee stationed at these sheds in order to prevent these problems.

This would be an ideal, but is currently unattainable due to spending reductions in the DPW budget over the past few years. Berry said he would love to have the shed open during all daylight hours, but he has to do what his budget allows.

So what other options are there for somebody with a pile of unwanted items that could do better than a dumpster? 

Some options include donating them to the nearest Salvation Army location or to other local nonprofits such as SHARE. There are also plenty of benefit yard sales or events throughout the year that could use those reusable items.

Another interesting method is the website Freecycle.org, a non-profit online network of local people giving and receiving free stuff from their neighbors. It is free to join and there is an Amherst NH FreeCycle group for you to join.

Visit the Town of Amherst website for more information on the Amherst Transfer Station.