If you’re like me, every week you faithfully set out your recycling bin next to the garbage, trying to do your part in saving the earth. You put in the cans, bottles, newspapers, cardboard and scrap paper; maybe if you’re really ambitious, you have a green waste container and a motor oil receptacle, too.
But then you wonder: What in the world do I do with all this other stuff?
There’s the old iPod, broken and sitting in a drawer. There are a few antique computers, floppy disks and keyboards in the office, stacked against a wall. And then the clothing that doesn’t fit but is still perfectly good, the eyeglasses that aren’t the right prescription anymore, and stacks of videotapes – I mean, who watches VHS these days?
If you’ve ever wondered what to do with all the obsolete items that seem too good to just throw away, wonder no more. They, and a whole host of other items, can be recycled these days.
First off, though, here are some general thoughts about recycling.
• Do you have a friend or family member who could use the item?
• Is there a favorite charity or cause that could use it?
• Could it be sold, perhaps at a yard sale, or through a classified ad?
If none of these options work, there are three other great resources to consider.
If you live in Monterey County, California, the Last Chance Mercantile thrift store at the Monterey Regional Waste Management District takes all kinds of items, from clothing to furniture to wheelchairs to plant pots to lumber.
Online, check out www.freecycle.org, where people offer items they’re not using and ask for things they need. Look for a chapter in your area. It’s a great way to keep useful stuff out of the landfill.
A very good source of information is Earth911.com, a Web site which will direct you to recycling centers for darn near anything, and find the ones nearest you.
Here’s a look what to do with specific items:
Computers and other e-waste: This is the biggie for a lot of people. Good news, though – if you can’t donate your computer and accessories to a worthy cause, it’s now easier than ever to get electronics recycled.
Many municipal dumps are now accepting computers, monitors and the like at no charge. Keeping these items out of the landfill is vital – electronic devices contain lead, mercury, and other toxic materials.
Some local schools occasionally hold e-waste drives to raise money, so that’s another way to recycle and benefit a good cause.
If it’s a working computer, though, and not more than five years old, see if it could be used by a school, or donate it to a nonprofit. An online resource for placing your old computer is www.sharetechnology.org.
Printer cartridges: Some people like to refill inkjet cartridges. Others would rather not bother. I’m in the latter camp, but if you want to explore refilling, look to the Web site www.inksupply.com to buy refilling kits. You can recycle your used cartridges online as well – two places are www.inksell.com and www.carrotink.com, which clean, refill, and sell the cartridges.
Me, I’d rather just turn them in at Staples or OfficeMax for coupons.
However you do it, it’s a good thing. According to Ink Sell, printer cartridges can be refilled and reused up to seven times.
FedEx (Tyvek) envelopes: FedEx envelopes are something you are probably accustomed to throwing away. But there’s good news – they are recyclable, as are banners, signs, and other printed materials containing Tyvek. Go to www2.dupont.com/Tyvek/en_US/sales_support/recycling.html to find out how to have a recycling kit sent to you.
Books: First, offer them to your local library. Age-appropriate material can be donated to school libraries. Nonprofit thrift stores also appreciate getting books that are in sellable condition. Another option is www.paperbackswap.com, a wonderful online community of book lovers (and they trade not just paperbacks, also hardcovers and audio books). A companion group is www.swapaCD.com if you want to trade old CDs.Videotapes and floppy disks: No doubt you’ve got a few of these lying around. Yes, they can be recycled, through a terrific organization called Alternative Community Training (ACT) in Missouri, which not only recycles these items, but provides jobs for the disabled. Donor forms can be downloaded at www.actrecycling.org, and items may be mailed to Alternative Community Training, 2200 Burlington, Columbia, MO 65202.
Cars, boats and other vehicles: Many nonprofit organizations will take your donated vehicles, running or not. Sometimes they’ll also accept motorcycles, RVs, trailers and other items as well. It’s a nice tax writeoff for you and a source of income for the nonprofit.
Ask your favorite local nonprofit if it will accept a vehicle, and determine any conditions that you may have to meet. Some that do take vehicles, and gladly, are the Polly Klaas Foundation, Goodwill Industries, and Juvenile Diabetes Foundation International. A list of some charities that accept vehicles may be found at www.donateacar.com.
Carpet: There’s a movement afoot to recycle old carpet and padding, so that it can be made into other items, thus keeping it out of our landfills. Some carpet companies make sure the old carpet they take out is recycled; for a list of local participants, see the Web site www.carpetrecovery.org.
Cell phones and PDAs: A number of stores accept these, including office supply and cell phone stores. Some charities also seek cell phones to give to people in need. To find these, go to www.donateaphone.org. For instance, cell phones can be dropped off at stores like The Body Shop, so that they can be passed down to victims of domestic violence.
Clothing: Nonprofit thrift shops can always use donations of used clothing, as long as the clothing is clean, in good repair, and free from stains. You can also trade in or consign good-quality clothing at some secondhand stores. Designer clothing is especially desirable.
Smoke detectors: Smoke detectors only have a life of 10 years, and should be disposed of properly, since they contain a small amount of radioactive material. Most smoke detectors are made by First Alert Corporation; you can send First Alert or BRK detectors to First Alert, Radioactive Waste Disposal, 780 McClure Rd, Aurora, IL 60504-2495. For other brands, follow the procedure in the instruction booklet or on the packaging.
Eyeglasses: They can be dropped off at LensCrafters or Pearle Vision locations, and your local Lions Club also wants them, so that they can be redistributed to people in need.
iPods: That old iPod can get you a 10 percent discount on a new one, if you take it to an Apple retail store, and buy your new iPod the same day. Otherwise, you can recycle iPods like any other electronic item.
Motor oil and antifreeze: Many, many places take these items for recycling, such as Jiffy Lube, Kragen Auto Parts, and some car dealers and auto shops. A complete list is available at Earth911.com.
