These places in Bengaluru make reusability a viable option

These place in Bengaluru make reusability a viable option

There’s almost always a surplus of something in our homes — whether one is a pack rat, hoarder or someone who has simply outgrown certain items — courtesy the consumerist society we live in. This excess is relegated to the attic until it threatens to burst and then we hand it off to the nearest scrap dealer or house help. There is, however, a better way to address this ‘problem of plenty’ where these commodities can live out their original purpose. Here are a few:

When Ajayan’s father suffered a stroke, he bought a medical bed for their home. As his father’s health progressed, the family went on to buy a wheelchair, walker and finally, a walking stick. At each stage, they found themselves saddled with almost-new equipment that they were no longer using. “We realised the sudden expense could be a drain on resources so in 2017, we began the Sanathya Foundation where people could approach us for what they needed and we’d hand them over free of cost. One of our criteria is they return the item once they finished utilising it,” says Ajayan.

As a volunteer-run initiative, Ajayan says there is a whatsapp group via which items could be sourced if it wasn’t stocked with them. “We would like all donated equipment to be in working order be it nebulisers, oximeters, wheelchairs, hearing aids etc. However, we do not take prescription medicines or spectacles.”

To donate or source medical equipment from the Sanathya Foundation, call 96116 15555 or mail info@sanathyafoundation.com

Similarly, Sahaya Centre of St John’s Medical College Hospital and Mercy Drops of Bangalore Baptist Hospital accept used medical equipment. Visit the hospital websites for more details

Board games and puzzles can feel repetitive after they’ve been solved a couple of times. And then, they too get marooned on the island of forgotten toys. The ThinkBox Children’s Library in Malleshpalya accepts board games, building blocks and other games that are in “reasonably” good condition with all their original pieces. “Nobody appreciates an incomplete puzzle when you work so hard to finish it, especially children,” says Bhakti Shah, who founded the ThinkBox Children’s Library in 2008. As with most libraries, ThinkBox lends out toys and books for a limited time, relying on borrowers to return them after the prescribed period. “However, we draw a line at stuffed toys and dolls, hygiene being the primary factor,” she says.

Visit thinkbox.co.in for donation details