Links to recycle & to reuse as well as frugal ideas
All
www.thedailygreen.com/environmental-news/latest/recycling-oddiities-47090807?src=nl&mag=tdg&list=dgr “The Green Cheapskate explains how to recycle some of the oddest (dentures?) things, from soap to nuts.”
www.earth911.org Recycling centers locator
www.eiae.org “Click on your state below to find reuse, recycling, and donation programs across the country”
www.terracycle.net recycle program from candy wrappers to drink pouches to 20 oz. soda, they pay you a few cents for each.
Swap anything- www.swapathome.com
www.freecycle.org Post items to get rid of, browse for items to get. No fee.
www.throwplace.com Post items to get rid of, browse for items to get. Fees.
Books
www.bookcrossing.com “BookCrossing is earth-friendly, and gives you a way to share your books, clear your shelves, and conserve precious resources at the same time. Through our own unique method of recycling reads, BookCrossers give life to books. A book registered on BookCrossing is ready for adventure.”
www.readertoreader.org “Based on the campus of Amherst College, Reader To Reader, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) public charity dedicated to bringing books, free of charge, to needy school libraries and public libraries across the United States. Fact: 60% of underprivileged children do not own a single book.”
Cash for books www.cash4books.net
Bottle caps
www.aveda.com/caps If you’re tired of throwing away all those plastic bottle caps, join the Recycle Caps with Aveda campaign and recycle them instead.
Did you know that when bottles are recycled, their caps (which can't be processed by recycling machinery) are often cut off and thrown away, ending up in landfills, oceans, rivers, and too often, in the mouths of baby sea animals? This causes the animals to either choke or end up with bellies full of plastic, which eventually leads to death due to malnutrition, explains Michael Braungart, a toxicology expert and engineering professor at Germany's University of Lüneberg.
www.ehow.com/how_2186733_recycle-bottle-caps.html?ref=fuel&utm_source=yahoo&utm_medium=ssp&utm_campaign=yssp_art How to recycle bottle caps
Cards, plastic
www.earthworkssystem.com Send used gift cards, ID, hotel, library, & other plastic cards to be recycled. Cut them in half & mail to them.
CD’s/ DVD’s
www.cdrecyclingcenter.com A small fee
www.cdrecyclingcentral.com Free, just need to ship to them.
www.cdrecyclingforfree.com Free, just need to ship to them.
www.greendisk.com For a small fee, you can send those promo CDs to Green Disk. This Redmond, WA-based company recycles promo disks, as well as CDs, tapes, videocassettes, computer disks, and related packaging. We also recommend returning the CDs to their maker, asking them to remove your name from their mailing list.
Swap/ buy/ sell CD/DVD- www.barterbee.com
Cash for CD/DVD/ games www.cashforcds.com or www.secondspin.com
www.greenlivingtips.com/articles/245/1/DVD-and-CD-Recycling.html Info on DVD & CD recycling, where to go, etc.
Cell phones & Batteries
www.charitablerecycling.com They donate cell phones to charity
www.collectivegood.com will refurbish & resell it at a considerable discount to people in developing countries
www.eco-cell.org earn cash, fundraising for cell phones
www.rbrc.org/call2recycle For batteries
PetsMart stores have postage-paid envelopes for people to send in their old cell phones and dead printer ink cartridges. They use the proceeds to help homeless animals.
Or try
-The EPA says mobile phones are hazardous waste because they contain lead, mercury, cadmium, and arsenic. About 100 million or so toxic cell phones are “retired” each year in the US, so recycling unwanted cell phones is a great way to protect people and the planet.
To erase data on cell phones so you can safely DONATE (rather than smash) them
www.recellular.com/recycling/data_eraser/default.asp Free
Cash for cellphones www.greenphone.com or www.simplysellular.com Also check if your carrier offers a buyback program.
Clothing & fabrics
www.clothesmadefromscrap.com “Clothes Made From Scrap, Inc. is a company that is committed to protecting our environment. We manufacture and market a line of clothing and accessories made from recycled plastic soda bottles and reclaimed cotton. Every product that CMFS manufactures has a direct impact on safeguarding our environment.” All products Made in
www.patagonia.com/web/us/patagonia.go?assetid=1956 Return your used
www.trash2treasurefl.org “Trash to Treasure is a non-profit organization that has a mission to locate clean, re-usable materials (called "clean scrap") and redistribute these items as valuable educational and artistic resources.”
Computers
www.Cristina.org National Cristina Foundation distributes computers to people with disabilities.
www.dell.com/content/topics/segtopic.aspx/dell_recycling?c=us&cs=19&l=en&s=dhs “We are pleased to offer you the opportunity to recycle your unwanted Dell-branded Product for free. Plus, if you buy a new Dell desktop or notebook and select the free recycling option at the time of purchase, we will recycle your old PC and monitor at no cost to you (even if it isn't a Dell-branded Product.)”
www.hp.com/hpinfo/globalcitizenship/environment/recycle “HP recycling services provides an easy way to recycle computer equipment, printing supplies, rechargeable batteries and other items.” Includes ink cartridges too
www.refurbdepot.com to buy refurbs- all electronics
www.staples.com/sbd/content/about/soul/recycling.html “We make it easy for our customers to recycle by offering a variety of services, including options for recycling computers and office technology products, ink and toner cartridges, cell phones and other personal electronics, and rechargeable batteries. In our internal operations, we are committed to diverting materials from the waste stream.”
To erase hard drive data on computers so you can safely DONATE (rather than smash) them
Cleaning the Hard Drive
No matter where you computer is headed — to the recycling bin or to a charity — it's important to remove your personal information before it leaves your hands. And a simple "delete" isn't enough. Someone with computer knowledge can easily restore your files and check out everything you didn't want seen.
"Reformatting the hard drive won't do it," says Beth Givens, director of the Privacy Rights Clearinghouse, a consumer advocate. "Use a more in-depth program that over-writes it several times with zeros and ones." For a no-cost solution, check out:
www.download.com/Eraser/3000-2092_4-10231813.html?tag=lst-5-2 , a free download with high ratings from CNET, an electronic review site.
www.engadget.com/2005/03/15/how-to-erase-old-hard-disks How to erase old hard disks
Elderly
Visit, sing, play instrument for elderly in nursing homes.
Electronics
www.apple.com/environment/recycling/ipodrecycling “The Apple Recycling Program offers free and environmentally friendly disposal of your iPod and cell phone with no purchase necessary.”
www.bestbuyinc.com/news_center/02-19-09/best-buy-electronics-recycling-program-now-available-all-us-stores To recycle electronics, $10 fee but get $10 BB gift card in return
www.e-stewards.org/local_estewards.html Locator as well as mail in services & company information on recycling electronics
www.eco-cycle.org/charm/index.cfm#whyfee Explains why there must be a fee-
“There is a fee for recycling most electronic items. All items must be disassembled before they can be recycled, a labor-intensive process that often requires handling toxic substances. The funds are also used to offset the cost of collection, storage and marketing of the materials.
"Free" recycling events usually have a hidden, and toxic, price. On Nov. 9, 2008, "60 Minutes" featured a segment about a
www.electronicstakeback.com “Take it back. Make it green. Recycle responsibly.”
www.epa.gov Check out the EPA’s list of eCycling companies with similar initiatives
www.reconnectpartnership.com RECONNECT is a comprehensive electronics recovery, reuse and environmentally responsible recycling opportunity for consumers in participating communities. RECONNECT offers FREE drop-off recycling and reuse options for unwanted electronics.
www.recycles.org “If you have unused but useful equipment you'd like to give to a worthy cause of your choosing, our Nonprofit Recycling and Reuse Network is for you. We are a diverse and fast growing group of nonprofit professionals from around the world who want and need your gift.”
www.recyclingforcharities.org Takes old cells, printer cartridges, etc
Cash for electronics- www.gazelle.com
Food banks
www.feedingamerica.org "Feeding
Glasses
www.givethegiftofsight.com Donate used glasses
Lions Club also takes them
Hair
www.locksoflove.org "Locks of Love is a public non-profit organization that provides hairpieces to financially disadvantaged children in the
Ink cartridges
PetsMart stores have postage-paid envelopes for people to send in their old cell phones and dead printer ink cartridges. They use the proceeds to help homeless animals.
You can also check with a Staples or Office Depot near you; many will safely dispose of used cartridges.
Cash for empty printer cartridges www.tonerbuyer.com or www.recycleplace.com Can also drop into any Staples store w/ used HP or Staples cartridges & they’ll give you an in-store credit.
Note: these 2 sites also offer fundraising options for your organization.
Light Bulbs & lamps
www6.homedepot.com/ecooptions/pdf/CFL-RecyclingProgramRevised.pdf They take unbroken, burned out CFL’s for free in a plastic bag at the Returns Desk
www.lamprecycle.org “Lamprecycle.org is a resource for any light bulb ("lamp") user seeking details on recycling spent mercury-containing lamps”
www.Lightbulbrecycling.com Can recycle here but is pricey.
Facts about Mercury & Fluorescent Lighting & Why Recycle Fluorescent Bulbs?
-In
-The Mercury from one fluorescent bulb can pollute 6,000 gallons of water beyond safe levels for drinking.
-100 four-foot long fluorescent lamps contain about 4 grams of mercury. It only takes 1 teaspoon of mercury to contaminate a 20-acre
-In 1992, mercury-containing lamps were added to the
-Mercury was number three on the 1997 list of hazardous substances as outlined by the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) and the EPA.
-Each year, an estimated 600 million fluorescent lamps are disposed of in
-The Environmental Protection Agency reports that 187 incinerators nationwide emit approximately 70,000 total pounds of mercury into the environment each year.
-In the states of
My notes: Because they contain mercury, you can’t just throw compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs) in the trash; they must be disposed of properly.
Mail
Use junk mail as scrap paper. Or better yet, take the minute & call them to have your name taken off. Can also just mail it back to them, unopened.
www.catalogchoice.org to opt out
www.greendimes.com to remove for free junk mail
Mattresses
From dailygreen.com
An increasing number of mattress retailers will accept your used mattress for recycling, but specifically ask/insist about recycling before you agree to buy a replacement. Mattress recycling centers are springing up around the country, where they recycle about 90% of the mattress into fiber for clothing, wood chips, foam products, and scrap metal. Given that about 20 million mattresses are replaced every year in the
Office
Use both sides of printing paper.
Use paper clips instead of staples.
Use dry erase boards instead of paper.
Organ & tissue donation
http://donatelife.net “Organ and tissue transplants offer patients a new chance at healthy, productive, normal lives and return them to their families, friends and communities. You have the power to change someone's world by being a donor. It's about living. It's about Life.”
Packaging
Watch the packaging. Try to buy items that can be recycled as well as items that are made from recyclable materials. Need to keep that loop going.
Packing peanuts
Phone
www.donotcall.gov toput your name on the Do Not Call Government’s list.
Plastics & plastic bags
www.plasticsinfo.org/recycling how to recycle & reuse plastics
www.stonyfield.com/SpecialOffers/Recycline.cfm Return your used Stonyfield Farm yogurt cups to be recycled into their Preserve toothbrushes and razors handles.
My notes: Browse the links in Reuse before recycling for ideas on how to REUSE plastic bags
Rags
Use old, tattered, stained clothes as cleaning rags.
School
Free e-book sites like www.planetbook.com & www.freeloadpress.com
Log on to www.printablepaper.net & download what you need for graph pads, music & other speciality paper when you need only a few sheets. Then simply print it on your regular printer paper.
Metal free stapler, injury proof. Staple free stapler that joins up to 5 pages together thru tiny cuts & folds www.thinkgeek.com Staples interfere w/ paper recycling & are dangerous to animals in landfills.
-Get a new looking backpack for nothing. By revamping last year's. Most manufacturers offer a "lifetime warranty" & will fix zippers, seams, & straps for free or give you a new bag at no charge. Look for your bag's manufacturer online & call the company.
Shoes
www.nikebiz.com/responsibility/community_programs/reuse_a_shoe.html Help Nike’s Reuse A Shoe program and recycle your used athletic shoes. The Nike Grind material that results is used to make surfaces for athletic fields.
http://oneworldrunning.blogspot.com “Serving runners in need”
www.recycledrunners.com drop off for shoe donations
www.solesunited.com/how_it_works.html Donate your used Crocs to be recycled and turned into new shoes for impoverished people around the world.
Store
Next time you spot a household staple on sale, pick up enough to last 12 weeks, that's 'bout how long you'll have to wait for the product to be marked down again.- Woman's World mag.
Bring canvas bags with you to a store.
My notes:
If you have a lot of items, try to get a box from the store to put them in. What we also do at Wal-Mart is just leave them in the cart at checkout. We be sure to have the receipt w/ us when we go out.
Toys
Swap toys- www.totsswapshop.com & www.toystotrade.com
Recycling locally
www.recyclebank.com The RecycleBank Process. Redeem your RecycleBank Points for exciting products and services from our favorite offerings. Together, RecycleBank, our partners, and you are making a difference.
www.wastetocharity.org “We Want Your Inventory Donations”
Restaurant
Take in your own containers for carryout.
Reuse before Recycling, assorted
www.allfreecrafts.com/mothers-day/cd-letter-holder.shtml make a CD letter holder
www.artistshelpingchildren.org “Helping kids with arts”
www.associatedcontent.com/article/328037/recycle_craft_make_a_dog_leash_from.html dog leash from plastic bags
www.care2.com/greenliving/beyond-paper-eco-friendly-crafts.html eco friendly craft ideas for kids & adults
craftydaisies.com/2007/07/18/recycling-plastic-bags Crafts using plastic bags
www.ehow.com/how_4856936_stitch-together-candy-wrapper-purse.html?ref=fuel&utm_source=yahoo&utm_medium=ssp&utm_campaign=yssp_art candy wrapper purses
etsylabs.blogspot.com/2007/05/long-overdue-fusing-plastic-bag.html How to fuse plastic bags
www.greenlivingtips.com/articles/138/1/Recycled-plastic-bag-crafts.html making crafts from plastic bags
www.homemade-gift-basket-ideas.com Ideas for gift baskets
www.kid-at-art.com/htdoc/matchtmp.html To turn trash into art. Has a list of Solid Waste & what you can make out of them i.e. bottle caps, straws, etc.
www.marloscrochetcorner.com/Plastic%20Bag%20tote.html plastic bag tote, instructions- one of the best
www.myrecycledbags.com (one of the best sites for ideas)
www.myrecycledbags.com/2007/08/11/crochet-a-recycled-clothes-pin-bag clothes pin bag from plastic bags
www.myrecycledbags.com/2007/06/22/crocheted-vcr-tape-tote-bag making a bag out of VCR tape
www.myrecycledbags.com/2008/06/24/recycle-a-cup-into-a-plastic-bag-keeper Use a cup for a plastic bag holder
www.myrecycledbags.com/2007/07/28/recycled-plastic-water-bottle-holder water bottle holder from plastic bags
http://photocreations.ca/cd_lamp2/index.html make a CD lamp
www.resourcefulschools.org “Think resource not trash”
Buy recycled products
www.baggreen.com produce bags
www.ecobags.com canvas & produce bags, eco friendly
www.recycline.com Preserve products- toothbrushes, razors, plates, etc
bravenet.com