This is the perfect time to move your bounty forward – Here are a few tips to help you clear your clutter, donate to your favorite charity and dispose of hazardous eWaste responsibly.
When you get a new appliance to replace the old, make sure to let go of your old one!
Recycle at your local Goodwill. This helps the environment and your community
The Dell Reconnect Program – Dell is the first major computer manufacturer to ban the export of non-working electronics to developing countries as part of its global policy on responsible electronics disposal.
Reconnect has recycled nearly 96 million pounds of computer equipment to date.
What they recycle:
Monitors
Computers (Desktop & Laptop)
Printers
Scanners
Hard Drives
Keyboards
Speakers
Cords & Cables
Ink & Toner Cartridges
Software
Xbox®
Microsoft Zune®
Televisions
Cell Phones
Appliances
If you end up in that box of electrical cords do a quick assessment. Are all of the electric and electronic gadgets you own hooked up and working? If so, you can let go and donate your jumble of old cords.
The SD County Library system recycles old batteries. Collect them in a bin and take them to your local library. If you live outside of this area, check this website to find out where you can recycle.
Prior to dropping off the batteries, residents should cover the positive ends of the batteries with tape and place them in a sealed plastic bag.
Bring in a sealed bag with your old lightbulbs to your local IKEA for recycling. They can even be donated once broken.
Your old bulbs go through a separation process into glass, powder and mercury. Separated mercury goes through a process of triple distillation which takes away all contamination (mercury has a tendency to attract other materials).
After the triple distillation is finished the mercury is reused.
Don’t just throw in your regular trash bin, Recycle them!
Take these to your local pack and ship store. This helps support local business and recycles at the same time.
Metal – Take to your local dry cleaner. Supports local business and keeps them out of landfills.
Plastic – donate to your favorite charity.
Domestic violence programs accept old cell phones. The Hopelines program through Verizon also brings old cell phones to those in need.
Artificial Christmas trees have a negative effect to our environment. They are manufactured with PVC which is a non-biodegradable, petroleum-derived plastic. In addition, many older tree varieties may contain lead.
The Christmas tree industry employs more than 100,000 Americans and now almost every community in the US recycles live trees after the holidays into mulch.
St. Jude’s Ranch Recycled Card Program, which benefits the St. Jude’s Ranch for Children. Launched more than 30 years ago as a thank-you to donors by using the previous year’s Christmas cards to turn them into “new” cards, the special cards are sold to raise money for the ranch’s programs. People from all over the world send their used greeting cards for all occasions.
Children at St. Jude’s Ranch learn entrepreneurship skills and participate in making the new cards by removing the front and attaching a new back so that customers receive “green” holiday cards for their use.
The address is St. Jude’s Ranch for Children, Recycled Card Program, 100 St. Jude’s St., Boulder City, NV 89005, and the phone number (877) 977-7572.
If you dont see the recycling location you need, check out www.earth911.com
