T1 Unlimited

By Laurie Stephens

I want to preface this post that I wasn’t a recycer before and I really didn’t get it on just how important it is to help out the environment but since I have started composting I understand the connection between nature and our impact on it. Now,  I do everthing I can to make a difference either by using less, choosing  a product that has less packaging, or that it can be recycled after it’ been used, choosing rechargable batteries that that are used  after a charge vs just tossing into the trash after the charge is gone I can state that sometimes you won’t have batteries if you aren’t proactive in keeping some charged.

We have replaced our appliances with Energy Star rating, going with front loaders on both the washer and dryers which not only use less energy but less soap and water.  Blanketing the water heater and the list increases as I need replacements.

After cleaning out our I car garage, I know unheard of now a days but 1929  two car garages were unheard of, anyway after finding all sorts of treasures from 1930 in there we now have 5×7 trailer full of recyclable metal, and old computers and electronic parts. Trying to work on being green I found that the Goodwill locations partnered with Dell and you can drop off almost all forms of electronics, computer parts or whole units, power cords, and speakers and cell phones.

“Goodwill’s Reconnect program has the potential not only to divert environmentally dangerous products from the solid waste stream but also to provide new opportunities for disabled citizens throughout Northwest Ohio” said Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur.

“Goodwill Industries of Northwest Ohio is very happy to begin the operational phase of our partnership with Dell,” said Bob Huber, Goodwill’s President and CEO. “Responsible recycling of e-waste is critical to our environment and we are excited to offer this program to the communities we serve. As the pilot for other Ohio Goodwills, we join Michigan and other Goodwill/Dell Reconnect partners around the country in this beneficial community effort while supporting Goodwill’s mission and creating new jobs.”

If you have an old PC or any electronic parts you want to recyclce   goto reconnectpartnership.com which is managed by Dell and Goodwill Industries, enter your zip code and the locations that that accepts the equipment will be listed. Also , Goodwill can help you with how to clean your computer of all it’s data  and personal information see
http://www.goodwill.org/page/guest/about/howweoperate/donations/tipsfor.

If care to clean your computer yourself , for PCs, click here to download Active Erase, a free Windows disk cleaning software available on c|Net’s Download.com.

Data cable too can be recycled for the copper in it. You can google for recycling metal and wire. So far I have haven’t had to do that since we have individual who has taken all my wire and make made some money off of it.

We also got left over fluorescent light bulbs which need to be recycled because of the mercury in them.  In our area there is a company called Recycles that allows you to drop them off free of charge. They also take paints, stains. Antifreeze, batteries and just about everything that you know shouldn’t go in the trash.  Look under your cities website to find a recycling location near you.

Don’t forget that a lot of the items you may have around the house can be donated to schools or churches and community centers.  We had children tapes and a small TV that a children’s organization took, and the vets have a pickup service that you can use on line to schedule a pickup can’t be any easier.  It is a tax right off also which sweetens the post a little.

Schools will take extra paper, ink cartridges, binders. call your local school system to find out what they can use.

With just a little effort we can be better stewards of our planet.

More recycle companies

1. http://www.ecyclestlouis.org/index.php

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