The Monterey County Herald: The Recycling Dilemma: How to Throw Things Away the Right Way
Filed under: Earth 911 - April 21, 2008
By Kathryn McKenzie Nichols
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’s 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 ideas 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.
In Marina, the Last Chance Mercantile 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. The Monterey-Salinas Freecycle chapter always has interesting objects being listed (what with almost 2,800 members participating) and is a great way to keep useful stuff out of the landfill.
A very good source of information is Earth911.org, a Web site which will direct you to recycling centers for darn near anything, and find the ones nearest you.
Here’s a look at 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 it recycled. The Monterey Regional Waste Management District is now accepting old computers, TVs and monitors at no charge; so does the Salinas Valley Solid Waste Authority at its Sun Street facility. 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 donated 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. I’d rather just turn them in at Staples or OfficeMax for coupons. However, they only give you the coupons for particular brands, such as HP. 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—you can ship them back to the Tyvek company for recycling. If you want to recycle fewer than 25 per month, turn one envelope inside out so that only white shows. Stuff this envelope with the others you have and mail to: Tyvek¨ Recycle, Attn. Shirley Cimburke, 2400 Elliham Avenue #A, Richmond, VA 23237. For larger quantities, call 1-866-33-TYVEK for instructions.
- Books: First, offer them to your local library. Age-appropriate material can be donated to schools as well. 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.CDswap.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. 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 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 www.carpetrecovery.org.
- Cell phones and PDAs: A number of stores accept these, including Staples, Best Buy and cell phone stores. Some charities also seek cell phones to give to people in need. To find these, go to www.donateaphone.org. Cell phones can be dropped off at The Body Shop in Monterey, 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 it’s clean, in good repair, and free from stains. You can also trade in good-quality clothing at some secondhand stores, such as Blue Moon Trading Co. in Monterey and Encore Boutique Consignment Shop in Pacific Grove. 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.
- Eyeglasses: They can be dropped off at LensCrafters or Pearle Vision locations, and your local Lions Club also needs 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.
- Batteries: One hopes you are not throwing your batteries in the trash these days, since they contain poisons that can leach into the landfill. Ordinary alkaline batteries can be turned in at MRWMD or SVSWA; they’ll take rechargeable batteries as well. Car batteries may also be dropped off. In addition to batteries, don’t forget that MRWMD and SVSWA are the places to dispose of household hazardous waste safely. This includes paint, stain, varnish, thinner and adhesives; auto products; fluorescent bulbs and tubes; household cleaners; and pesticides, fertilizers and other garden products.
- 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 for Monterey County is available at Earth911.org.
- Paint: Turn in old paint at MRWMD or SVSWD; you can buy the recycled paint at the Last Chance Mercantile for next to nothing.