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January 2009 - Happy New Year Edition!
 A Green Start to the New Year
For many of us, January is a time to start working
on our New Year’s
resolutions. For some of us, that may mean tackling those cleaning
and organizing jobs we’ve been putting off. After cleaning,
we may find that we have a lot of unwanted “stuff” to
deal with such as old sneakers, clothes, computers, cell phones,
CDs, DVDs, cassette tapes, VHS tapes, and more. Unfortunately,
these things will not decompose in a landfill; but with a little
bit of effort they can be recycled or reused.
Clothes
Why: While many clothes are made from natural
fibers, they’ll take years to degrade in a landfill. If
they are still in wearable condition, many charitable organizations
will happily accept them and find them a new home with someone
else.
Where: Goodwill, Salvation Army, and Charitable
Union all have drop-off stations in Battle Creek and will write
a receipt for your tax deductions.*
Sneakers
Why: Your worn out sneakers won’t be of
use to anyone. So why not donate them where they’ll
receive new life as play surfaces (tracks, basketball courts, tennis
courts, play ground surfaces, etc.) worldwide?
Where: Check out www.nikereuseashoe.com/,
for drop-off centers, shipping information (you pay S&H), or
for Let Me Play surface donation sites. (There is a site in Battle
Creek). They accept all sport shoe brands and have drop-off
bins at all Nike retail stores.
Computers and Accessories
Why: Computers do not biodegrade and they’re
loaded with hazardous chemicals such as mercury.
Where: Here in Battle Creek you can drop off computers
and accessories at Cereal City Recycling for a small fee. Current
fees (as of 1/5/09) are $6.00 for monitors and $4.00 for towers,
laptops, printers, and fax machines. You can also recycle
computers and accessories at any Staples retail store for a fee
of $10 per monitor, tower, printer, or fax. Dell products
recycle for free. Small accessories such as keyboards, speakers,
and mice recycle for free.
Printer Ink
Why: Recycling one laser jet cartridge saves three
quarts of oil (Reiss, 2008).
 Where: Take
ink and toner to a Staples retail store and receive $3.00 in Staples
Rewards toward your next ink or toner purchase. They take
all brands. HP ink can be sent back to the company, www.hp.com (free
S&H). Another site, www.tonerbuyer.com,
takes all brands of ink and toner and offers free shipping and
handling.
Cell Phones
Why: Chemicals from cell phones can leach into
waterways. There are companies that refurbish old cell phones
for people in need.
Where: Check with the store/company you purchased
your phone from for their recycling program. Many will take
your phone free of charge. The Rechargeable Battery Recycling
Corporation also accepts cell phones. Check their website www.rbrc.org for
drop-off locations. (There are several in the Battle Creek area). To
donate your old phone to those in need, go to www.gooddeedfoundation.org (free
S&H).
Media Storage (CDs, DVDs, cassettes, VHS tapes)
Why: They do not decompose…ever!
Where: Green disk, www.greendisk.com,
accepts all of these items and more. You pay a processing
charge and shipping and handling.
Old Electronics
Why: They release toxins into the air and water
and some contain metals such as gold and silver.
Where: Best Buy offers a trade in program where
they will give you money towards the purchase of new products in
exchange for old. They accept items such as iPods, digital
cameras, home audio equipment, car audio, camcorders, computers,
PDAs, etc. Visit www.bestbuytradein.com/bb/ for
more information. Office Depot recycles computers and accessories,
cords and cables, and small electronics for a fee of $5-$15 depending
on weight. See their website for more information www.officedepot.com/techrecycling.
Batteries
Why: They contain potentially harmful chemicals
that can affect human health.
Where: Batteries Plus recycles most types of batteries
at their stores. Or visit, www.rbrc.org,
for a full list of battery drop-off locations in the area.
Light Bulbs
Why: Many new light bulbs contain mercury, which
is hazardous to human health.
 Where: Check
with your city or county for their hazardous waste collection date. Battle
Creek is collecting May 2, 10am- 2pm at the Toeller Building. Ikea
stores offer free recycling of compact fluorescent light bulbs
year round, plus they recycle numerous other things. Visit
their website to learn more www.ikea.com.
*Tax deductions are subject to IRS rules and
regulations. Contact
your tax consultant to learn more about your eligibility.
** Reiss, V. (2008, July/August). Deforest your life. Women's Health,
[94-96].
Conservation Tip Archives:
April 2010 Tip
March 2010 Tip
December 2009 Tip
November 2009 Tip
September 2009 Tip
July 2009 Tip
June 2009 Tip
May 2009 Tip
April 2009 Tip
March 2009 Tip
February 2009 Tip
January 2009 Tip
December 2008 Tip
November 2008 Tip
October 2008 Tip
September 2008 Tip
August 2008 Tip
July 2008 Tip
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