Ava Rakowski 
It’s the time of year when many of us are seized by the desire to clean house, and while some items are destined for trash or donations, there’s that hazy middle ground of things we don’t need anymore but someone else probably could. The Borough of Bradley Beach has created a space for its residents to solve exactly this problem. The Bradley Beach Sharing Shed is a place for residents to offload usable but unwanted items to other community members. Step ladders, lamps, glassware, and more can be found within the walls of this tiny shed, ready for their second home. Read more about the Bradley Beach Sharing Shed and how neighbors can contribute.
About the Shed
While many people want to clear out their spaces, many do not consider where their items go after they’re out of sight. After that outdated chair leaves the curb in front of your home, it goes to your town’s Public Waste center, before making its way to a larger landfill.
Bradley Beach Town Councilman John Weber was largely responsible for the implementation of the sharing shed, specifically after hearing reports from Department of Public Works employees about the volume of bulk waste. Large items like rugs, pieces of furniture, tools, and other oversized pieces were being sent to the Bradley Beach Recycling Yard. This created some organizational issues for Bradley Beach, as well as the need for more trucks to help transport these items out of the Borough.
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“One of the reasons we were having a lot of problems with bulk trash is because people empty out their houses in North Jersey, and they bring it down here because it’s way cheaper to get rid of it…But I think the contents of the shed are coming in and out enough that it’s making a difference,” says Councilman Weber. No shame to those who need to adjust the feng shui of their spaces, but a solution had to be created for the overflow of belongings hitting the Bradley Beach Recycling Center.
The shed was built using recycled materials, with the hopes of reducing the amount of these large, usable items that would otherwise end up in the landfill. Not only does this ease the strain placed on the town’s recycling facilities, but it also limits the amount of large trucks needed to transport the bulk waste to landfills. “It just made sense. People throw out perfectly good stuff…but I hate knowing that it’s going to landfills,” said Councilman Weber.
How It Works
Only residents of Bradley Beach are able to drop off items in the shed, which have to be complete and usable (e.g., nothing broken, stained, or in need of fixing). While the Borough encourages people to donate food or clothing they have no use for, the goal of this shed specifically is for furniture and household items only. There are other rules for the shed in order to keep it clean and organized, all of which can be found HERE or on the sign placed on the shed.
Though only Bradley residents can contribute to the shed, anyone from anywhere can take items they need. This is great for neighbors who might need a tool for a single task, or a small amount of a specific product, or someone who wants to try out a type of tool. The shed solves two problems at once: keeping usable items out of the waste stream and connecting neighbors with resources they need.
Why It Matters
This smaller effort taking place in Bradley Beach speaks to a greater need for limiting bulk waste along the Jersey Shore. With over 28 landfills across the state as of 2024, the amount of waste being compiled in this densely populated state is profound. Small steps lead to a big impact, from reusable coffee cups to leaving a gently used item behind for a neighbor. If you’re a BB resident who is hoping to part ways with some old treasures, or a local hoping to find something new, be sure to check out the Bradley Beach Sharing Shed.
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