Home Recycling: Beyond Soup Cans and Cardboard

by Michele Barlow

My old friend, Jeff, collects shampoo bottles. A new friend, Ralph, gathers steel pipes. I hoard yogurt containers and green glass.

How many of us keep old appliances, tired shoes or styrofoam peanuts in our closets and basements? We often stockpile these hard-to-recycle items because we hesitate to just chuck them into a landfill. But, with a little effort and research, most of our unwanted stuff can be recycled or refurbished.

Oil

According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, one gallon of used oil can contaminate a million gallons of clean water. You can properly dispose of used oil by contacting the American Petroleum Institute for a state-by-state list of used motor-oil collection sites (202-682-8000, www.recycleoil.org). In addition, many service stations will accept used oil and oil filters.

Appliances

Last year in the U.S., we recycled 84 percent of discarded appliances, according to the Steel Recycling Institute. But if your appliance is still kicking and is not an energy guzzler, you can donate it to a charitable organization. Or contact the Steel Recycling Institute to find steel recycling options in your area (800-937-1226, www.recycle-steel.org).

Eyeglasses

Used eyeglasses and sunglasses can be refinished to match the prescription of someone who cannot afford to buy new glasses. Contact your local Lions Club, which helps sponsor the nationÕs most comprehensive collection program (www.lionsclubs.org/English/ FRCenters.html). In fiscal year 2000-2001, the Lions Eyeglass Recycling Centers distributed five million pairs of eyeglasses.

Batteries

All batteries contain toxic acids and heavy metals. The average American household owns 25 battery-powered devices, so many communities maintain a landfill for toxic materials. When your alkalines run out of juice, switch to rechargeable batteries. To recycle these, as well as lithium and sealed lead batteries, contact your local retailer or the Rechargeable Battery Recycling Corporation (800-8-BATTERY, www.rbrc.org).

Mobile Phones

Last year, Americans abandoned 40 million cellular phones and switched to smaller units. Donate your old cell phone to Collective Good (770-856-9021, www.collectivegood.com) or Call to Protect (www.donateaphone.com). Collective Good sells refurbished phones to developing countries. Call to Protect phones are also programmed to dial 911 and given to victims of domestic violence.

The Earth 911 Challenge

The Earth 911 network provides community-specific information on recycling, hazardous waste disposal, composting, conserving energy, improving air quality and much more.

Just call 1-800-CLEANUP or visit www.cleanup.org, enter your zip code, and the Earth 911 system will return information that is tailored to your town and region.

My next challenge is to find a new home for our cast-iron bathtub. After four years of garage residency, the old tub is overflowing with yogurt containers and green glass. Maybe Jeff would like it to house his collection of 200 shampoo bottles. I'll ask him.