One great thing about gong to so many events, is that I find out about things I normally wouldn’t. The Cuyahoga County Solid Waste District is big on recycling. I ran into Beau Daane at the Green Dream event, and he let me know about so great options for recycling some difficult items. 
Old computer? Donate it! But don’t hesitate as time is running out. Cuyahoga County’s drive “Recycle Your Computer Month” ends at the end of April. All personal computers including components and peripherals can be dropped off at participating sity service departments throughout the county. Call your local city department or visit the county’s website. Don’t worry is you miss the deadline, because you can always drop your computer equipment off at RET3. They have a location at E40th and Perkins. Give them a call, if you have questions. If you are a business, you can get pick up for a fee for large quantities, and get a great tax deduction. These computers are wiped clean, so no need to worry about your personal information, and there is a no landfill guarantee. They work with local area schools, too so you can help out the next generation.
There are three televisions at our building. They all need to be disposed of, but where does one go? I found out that I have options. Since my favorite store is Best Buy, I will likely take them there. They are going to charge me $10 each, but I will get a $10 gift card back. I spend most of my electronics and supply dollars there anyhow, so it works out for me. There are programs with major manufacturers like Sony and Panasonic, so you can try and contact them. Radio Shack takes back newer stuff, like cell phones and cameras-good news, because I have a digital camera that I broke-and they will give you a gift card as well.
Not far down the street from our building is the Habitat for Humanity Re Store at 2110 W. 110th Street Cleveland, Ohio 44102. Changing your sink? New tub? Replacing your cabinets? Check out this location. You can drop off your old building materials for resale instead of going into the landfill. It is a great place, and look around while you are there. You may find previously loved components to use in your remodel project. Give them a call at 216.429.3631 to ask them any questions. Currently they are only open on Fridays and Saturdays.
The next thing I have to worry about is the refrigerator. It is a monster and I can’t throw it in the dump! Our fridge at home is fairly old and inefficient as well, so I was thrilled to enter the Whole Foods Recycle Your Old Refrigerator Sweepstakes. I hope I win, as the prize is a brand spanking new, energy efficient Bosch Energy Star fridge. Do it now, as this contest ends at the end of the month also! Even if you don’t win, think about your savings by calculating how much energy you will save with a new fridge by visiting the Energy Star site’s calculator. Keep watching as I figure out what to do with all this junk!
Tags: Energy Star, environment, recycling
