Wondering what to do with your stash
of old batteries or the cans of unneeded paint taking up space in your garage?
You know you shouldn't throw them out, but it really is time to get rid of
them.
Resist the temptation to toss them
in the trash anyway. The reason: They (and everything on the list below) contain
toxic chemicals capable of contaminating the environment if not disposed of
properly.
Unlike items that are picked up at the curb, you'll have to make a special effort to unload these ones responsibly. But, with a little advance planning and some good info, you'll see that it's really quite simple to dispose of these seemingly mysterious items. Here's how:
BATTERIES. Recycling
rechargeable batteries is
fairly easy. Home
Depot, Staples, Radio Shack, Best Buy, and other
retailers take them back free of charge. There are fewer options for single-use
batteries, but look for bins at your local Whole Foods Market or
library. Otherwise, your best bet is the local household hazardous waste drop-off
site. Where is it and what are your closest drop-off options? Search here for
answers.
CFLs. These
energy-efficient bulbs are becoming easier to get rid of. Just drop old bulbs
off at any Home Depot or Ikea for
free recycling. Or ask about CFL recycling at your
local Ace Hardware or home
improvement store. You can search for other nearby
solutions.
ELECTRONICS.
Every retailer that takes back
rechargeable batteries also accepts mobile phones, as do most wireless
providers. For computers, cameras, televisions, and others it's worthwhile do a
little homework because some stores charge fees
depending on item and brand. Check out Best Buy, Staples, and Office Depot to see
what's the best fit. Some places, like Radio Shack, have trade-in programs where
you can receive store credit for your old gadgets.
MOTOR OIL.
In case you need some motivation,
consider this factoid from Earth911: Every gallon of
used motor oil that's improperly disposed of can contaminate one million gallons
of drinking water. Bring it to Wal-Mart, Autozone, Jiffy
Lube, or search online for more convenient
choices.
PAINT.
It's among the harder items in this
group to dispose of, but it's worth it and totally doable. If the paint is still
in good shape, consider donating it. As of now,
there aren't any retailers that accept used paint so you'll need to make a
special trip. Search Earth911 for a comprehensive
list of options.
Source: http://green.yahoo.com/blog/the_conscious_consumer/46/five-recycling-mysteries-solved.html
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