WHY RECYCLE?
- Reduces Landfill Waste: Recycling helps divert materials from landfills, which reduces the amount of waste that ends up in these sites. This prolongs their lifespan and reduces the need for new landfill spaces.
- Conserves Natural Resources: By recycling materials like paper, glass, and metals, we reduce the need for raw materials. This helps conserve natural resources such as trees, water, and minerals.
- Saves Energy: Recycling often requires less energy compared to producing new products from raw materials. For example, recycling aluminum saves up to 95% of the energy required to make it from bauxite ore.
- Reduces Greenhouse Gas Emissions: Lower energy consumption from recycling means fewer greenhouse gases are emitted into the atmosphere, helping combat climate change.
- Promotes Sustainable Practices: Recycling supports a circular economy, where materials are reused and repurposed, reducing the environmental impact and promoting sustainability.
- Protects Wildlife and Habitats: By reducing the need for raw material extraction and minimizing pollution, recycling helps protect wildlife and natural habitats from destruction and contamination.
- Encourages Innovation: The recycling industry drives technological advancements and innovation in materials processing and waste management.
- Creates Jobs: The recycling sector generates employment opportunities in collection, sorting, processing, and sales of recycled materials.
- Reduces Pollution: Recycling helps reduce air and water pollution by decreasing the need for new manufacturing processes and minimizing waste that can leach toxins.
- Fosters Community Engagement: Recycling programs can raise awareness about environmental issues and encourage community participation in sustainable practices.
Interested in being a part of the solution to our world waste disposal problem?
1. AVOID SINGLE USE PRODUCTS. The best contribution you could make to recycling efforts is to put concerted thought and action into what you are buying in the first place. We have quickly become a throw-away society. To avoid the ultimate costs associated with that use-it-once-and-throw-it-away mentality, and because there is really no "away," instead try re-training and restraining your buying habits. If it cannot be reused, re-purposed, resold or recycled, consider avoiding it. Not making or having the item in the first place will go a long way to saving our planet from mineral depletion, environmental hazards, and dependence on waning or expensive energy sources. Extraction of raw minerals, production in countries that ignore even minimal good labor and environmental practices, the energy it takes to produce, transport, market, sell and dispose of, it is just detrimental to the health of the earth. The motto of many who subscribe to best environmental practices? Live simply, so others can simply live.
2. REDUCE, REUSE & RECYCLE. Note that the township does not sponsor recycling facilities, but the county and some private companies do. Look at the Benzie County government website under the label "Recycling & Solid Waste Management" for complete details. County staff employee, Jesse Zylstra is currently in charge.
3) CHECK OUT NON-GOVERNMENTAL EFFORTS:
For example, operating in Beulah is St. Philip's Episcopal Church Baby Pantry, open two Saturdays a month. It provides vital help to needy parents and caretakers, often in the form of recycling your donations of legal items in good condition relating to babies and children, such as cribs, high chairs, blankets, clothes, car seats, strollers and more. And for another example, there is a shop in Traverse within the Commons called the Refillery. You can "BYO" (bring your own) reusable bottles for household cleaning products/bath and body. They also have products with zero waste containers.
4) LEARN MORE ABOUT RECYCLING EFFORTS LOCALLY, NATIONALLY, INTERNATIONALLY. Benzie County and NW Michigan makes a concerted effort to provide for as much recycling as is feasible. In our county, we are achieving around 40% recycling rate which, if you think about it, is reducing our landfill by almost half. That's impressive. Below are some suggestions for not just local resources but also in case you'd like to know what's available in other cities, states and countries. And check back often because we are adding on to the master list below as new information becomes available.
- Click here for Benzie County Special Collections brochure.
- Click here for the county recycling webpage.
- Click here for location of Benzie County Recycling Sites.
- Click here for a Benzie County Recycling online search tool called "What Goes Where?"
3) CHECK OUT NON-GOVERNMENTAL EFFORTS:
For example, operating in Beulah is St. Philip's Episcopal Church Baby Pantry, open two Saturdays a month. It provides vital help to needy parents and caretakers, often in the form of recycling your donations of legal items in good condition relating to babies and children, such as cribs, high chairs, blankets, clothes, car seats, strollers and more. And for another example, there is a shop in Traverse within the Commons called the Refillery. You can "BYO" (bring your own) reusable bottles for household cleaning products/bath and body. They also have products with zero waste containers.
4) LEARN MORE ABOUT RECYCLING EFFORTS LOCALLY, NATIONALLY, INTERNATIONALLY. Benzie County and NW Michigan makes a concerted effort to provide for as much recycling as is feasible. In our county, we are achieving around 40% recycling rate which, if you think about it, is reducing our landfill by almost half. That's impressive. Below are some suggestions for not just local resources but also in case you'd like to know what's available in other cities, states and countries. And check back often because we are adding on to the master list below as new information becomes available.
HOW DO I RECYCLE _____________?
HERE IS A LIST OF ALPHABETIZED ANSWERS
(a list in progress and always evolving):
BATTERIES (household): Option #1, drop them all in our collection bucket at the township hall. HOWEVER, certain batteries MUST have their poles taped in order that we accept them. Click here to see photo. The county has recently contracted with processor Northern Disposal in Thompsonville and it is this industrious private company who requires the public help save them 30% of their batteries processing time AND to keep everyone safe from potential fire that you place a simple piece of tape over the poles. It doesn't have to be electrical tape. Option #2: Click here for a great article that gives lots of ideas and places for recycling every kind of battery there is. Besides those mentioned in the article, here are a few more resources: BigGreenBox.com disposes of batteries for a shipping fee. Or you can possibly find a drop-off site through Call2Recycle which partners with Lowe's, Home Depot and some local hardware stores. Mom's Organic Market also accepts batteries for recycling.
BATTERIES (car): Many auto parts retailers or repair shops will accept old auto and truck batteries, since new car and truck batteries are made from most recycled materials. Those members who belong to Sam's Club and Costco know they can be returned there, too. Most will give you something --cash or credit-- because the "core" is worth $.
BICYCLES: The International Bicycle Fund has a "recycling bicycles" web page with lots of information about organizations seeking old bikes. Another is Bikes for the World which has donation drop-off areas in Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Massachusetts and Illinois.
BUILDING SUPPLIES: More than 1,000 Habit for Humanity ReStore locations across six countries accept building materials, including flooring, unused lumber, light fixtures, doors, windows, bricks, fencing and much more. Find a store and get more details at habitat.org.
CARS, TRUCKS. . AND BOATS, TOO: There are many organization and charities that accept vehicle donations including WCMU Public Television; Junk My Car, Vehicles for Veterans, Habitat for Humanity, The Arc and Wheels for Wishes.
CARDBOARD BOXES: If you have a collection of good moving boxes, our first suggestion is to post a free ad. Locally, that could be on FaceBook' s Market Place, or specifically on the page, Buy Nothing in Benzie County. Or Craig's List. Or, if not here in Frankfort, try possibly NextDoor.
CAR SEATS: See above for the local outlet, the Baby Pantry at St. Philip's Episcopal Church in Beulah. Also, twice a year, usually around Earth Day and again sometime in the autumn, Target Stores accept kids' car seats for recycling, and most often with a 20% discount on new baby/child-related items, including a new car seat. You may also visit RecycleYourCarSeat.
CHRISTMAS NON-FUNCTIONING LIGHTS: These strings of little lights are short-lived. Save them for two special summer Benzie County-sponsored Recycling Days.
CHRISTMAS TREES & DECORATIONS: Artificial trees and decorations cannot be recycled, so either they go in the garbage (UGH! PLASTIC!) or you might consider donating them. Again, if you are on Facebook, we suggest a "free" ad on either Facebook's Market Place or specifically on the page, Buy Nothing in Benzie County. Or Craig's List, too, because, locally, many places like Benzie Area Christian Neighbors, Echo (Benzonia and Manistee), or Traverse City's Women's Resource Center (just to name a few) get much, too much of old Christmas decorations. One place we've used is our local Benzie Area Historical Sociey & Museum which partners with Habitat for Humanity for the annual Festival of Trees as a fundraiser. Volunteers "spruce" up (no pun intended) old trees and sometimes use old decorations for a new look and offer them for sale.
CLOTHING: Vietnam Veterans of America is a national organization that has many Michigan locations. Locally, there are many others that also take good, clean clothing. Check out Benzie Area Christian Neighbors (BACN), ECHO, the Women's Resource Center, Goodwill, and others. Each charitable organization has it's own rules for clothing donations, and times in which they are open, so call ahead.
COMPUTERS, PRINTERS, ETC: If they are working, or need only very minimal repair to get them working, in the big picture there is Computers With Causes that will attempt to repair or refurbish your working computer to give to needy individuals throughout the U.S. The World Computer Exchange also accepts old computers. Globetops distributes working laptops to those who can not afford them. Locally, you could ask Mad Mike's in Traverse City about donating yours, or call the school school districts (Frankfort, Benzie, Onekama, etc.) to see if they have a student in mind that would benefit greatly from someone giving them a fairly up-to-date and working computer.
COSMETIC EMPTIES: Click here to check out this comprehensive article providing suggestions.
ELECTRONICS: Best Buy usually has a rolling 2-tiered cart just inside the entrance of their TC store onto which you can unload old computers, printers, calculators, old TV remotes, cords, mice, and more. It is unsure at this time whether all this actually gets recycled or not. Benzie County also has special collections every year during which recycling electronics is advertised and for which appointments are requested by calling Jesse at 231-882-0554. There is no charge to recycle computer equipment and small miscellaneous electronic items at the scheduled collections in 2023.
FOOD: Benzie and Northern Michigan are resort areas where seasonal "cottages" often find perfectly good food in their larders when it's time to depart the area. Charitable pantries abound to which it can be donated. Instead of listing them all here, we suggest going to this link of a full accounting of pantries and their locations at which you can drop off your donations. There is no charge to recycle computer equipment and small miscellaneous electronic items at the scheduled collections in 2023.
HAZARDOUS WASTE: Benzie County households may dispose of household hazardous waste at no charge. Many yard & garden, automotive, paint products, cleaners & other miscellaneous products in our homes, garages & basements are hazardous to dispose of and require careful treatment. Read the label to find out if a product is harmful and use caution when handling hazardous substances. Acceptable items include oil base paints, stains, thinners, cleaning solvents, contaminated oil, antifreeze, old gasoline, pesticides, insecticides, chemicals, compact & tube fluorescent bulbs, muriatic acid, household batteries, unwanted & expired medications, sharps needles, mercury Unacceptable items include latex paints, water based products, automotive batteries, ammunition, propane canisters. Call 882-0554 to find out what to do with these unacceptable items or go to www.benzieco.net, then to the Solid Waste/Recycling webpage. Click on Recycling Documents for information.
LAWN MOWERS: Some of the CLT staff have had luck just asking if local repair people want old machines for repair/resale on their own dime, or for parts. Scrap yards may also accept defunct lawn mowers. Always check to learn how to prepare your mower for drop-off, which typically includes draining the gas and oil from the engine. [Remember NEVER EVER to dump old oil or gasoline; see above on how to recycle.]
LIGHT BULBS: Multiple chain stores including Ikea, Lowe's, Home Deport and True Value, operate recycling programs for compact fluorescent lamps (CFL's) and for other fluorescent bulbs. RecycleABulb is a resource list. Locally, we suggest either CAREFULLY dropping old bulbs off at the township hall, or making an appointment at one of the 2 summer county collections.
LUGGAGE: As sad as this is, for the untold stories this advice suggests, we recommend your local foster care agency and/or department of social services or homeless shelter may accept gently used luggage. Wheels, zippers and buckles must be in working condition. Another suggestion is to donate to any of the local 2nd hand stores or charitable organizations, or post a free ad on Face Book's Buy Nothing in Benzie County page or on Craig's List.
MARKERS & HIGHLIGHTERS: Divert all your dry, used up "felt" markers from the landfill. Crayola has a program called ColorCycle. Crayola ColorCycle will accept all brands of plastic markers, not just Crayola brand. That includes dry eraser markers, highlighters, "Magic Markers" and more. If you collect the dead, no longer usable markers, they'll send you a free shipping label & you can ship them back to Crayola to be recycled. Here's the link to get started: http://www.crayola.com/colorcycle.aspx. The program is currently in the U.S. and parts of Canada. Need more information? Try www.crayola.com/colorcycle/frequently-asked-questions.aspx - FAQ's
MATTRESSES & BOX SPRINGS: Benzie County residents will be able to have their mattresses and box springs recycled at their special collection events for a fee of $15/unit. There is a limit to mattresses per collection. You must call to get on the list, however: call 882-0554.
MOTOR OIL, FILTERS AND CONTAINERS: Most retailers that sell motor oil, such as Jiffy Lube, Costco Auto Care Centers and AutoZone, will take used motor oil, filters and containers.
MEDICAL GEAR: Depending on what you have, checking with Benzie Senior Resources by calling 231-525-0600, is the first step. Nursing homes, hospitals or care facilities here in our area may also take donations. Project CURE accepts physical therapy and mobility equipment through the mail. Samaritan's Purse also takes items but the organization requests a call to 828-278-1496 to confirm that it will use your items before you ship. For $20 you can ship crutches shorter than 48 inches to Crutches 4 Kids. Med-Eq accepts donations of unused or lightly used medical equipment and supplies. Advocates for World Health uses medical equipment donations to help relief agencies in developing countries.
PACKING MATERIALS: Kraft paper can be recycled along with cardboard (see above.) For packing peanuts, first figure out what you have because there are two kinds, those that readily break down and those that don't. To test, run one under water . If it disintegrates, they all can be composted or simply dissolved in your sink and washed down the drain. However, if it doesn't disintegrate, we've got problems because they tend to get loose and scatter throughout the environment as well as present the problem of all plastics, namely they are difficult and costly to recycle. No matter what you do with these things, keep them contained within some box or bag or similar so they are not "unleashed." A local shipping store may take back the peanuts, especially if the package they came in was shipped by that company. Or dedicate a large container in your own storage space for re-use. Last but not least, check with our local Benzie County Recycling program for recycling instructions.
PAINT: First determine what exactly it is you have. For oil-based paint and stains, or such ancient paint that it might contain lead or mercury before it was banned, take the can to an approved local disposal site. Locally, that means waiting for one of the Hazardous Waste days sponsored by Benzie County's Solid Waste & Recycling Department. Some retailers also offer take-back programs. For example, Benzie County Recycling partners with Nugent Ace Hardware in Benzonia and Honor Building Supply in the Village of Honor. You may now bring your leftover water based paints to these stores to be properly recycled for a small fee. Epaint of Battle Creek, Mi. will turn the old paint into a new product to be sold at Habitat for Humanity ReStores. Also, check out PaintCare for more information. For water-based pains and stains, add kitty litter or newspapers or dry leaves equal to the amount of paint remaining in the can or bucket. Wait until the paint has dried into the litter, etc. before placing it in your regular garbage. Or, if your paint doesn't contain lead or mercury, inquire about donating it to your local school drama department for painting backdrops and scenery and props. To be disposed safely, visit Earth911 or call # 800-CLEANUP to learn whether your jurisdiction has a paint recycling program.
POWER TOOLS: If they are working, ask your local charities first, such as BACN or your local Habitat for Humanity Restore (locally, that is 2487 Rice Street, TC MI 49684, #231-944-1182 but also stores in Scottville and Cadillac) will take tools of all kinds, as will Vietnam Veterans of America and the Salvation Army. You can also check with local hardware stores, such as Ace Hardware in Benzonia (call 882-4322), some of which will accept old tools for spare parts or to collect the recycling rebates. Approved recycling facilities will take your old power tools, and some may even pay you for them. Remove any rechargeable batteries so they can be properly recycled and/or disposed of separately.
PRESCRIPTIONS: Put Your Pills in the POD! Benzie County Sheriff’s Department offers a Prescription & Over the Counter Drug Drop-Off Box in their lobby at 505 S. MI Ave. Beulah, MI 49617 for residents to bring unwanted & expired medicines, prescription drugs, controlled substances, etc. to be disposed of safely and properly. NO SHARPS (needles) ALLOWED. Not storing medicines in the home reduces possible prescription drug abuse and accidental poisoning. Medicines should never be put in the trash or flushed down the toilet.
RUGS & CARPET: Donate area rugs IF in good condition to your local charities, such as Habitat, BACN, ECHO, Goodwill, Salvation Army, or Benzie Senior Services. Carpeting and carpet padding cannot be donated for health reason but they can be recycled although seldom can one find a facility that does recycle any made with man-made fibers. For this reason, environmentalists strongly urge to buy only natural fiber for rugs and carpet such a wool, NOT nylon or polyesters, for example, as those fibers never fully dissolve but only break down into micro-particles that then stay in the environment, or our bodies, forever. Note that one staff member swears by her wool carpeting, off-white color no less, that cleans up very well for now and, when it comes time to dispose of it, can be thrown into her compost pile along with the natural fibers of the carpet padding underneath. As for any discarded rugs and carpeting, CLT staff members have had especially good luck recycling it by posting a free ad on Facebook's Market Place, specifically the Buy Nothing in Benzie County page, and on Craig's List.
SCRAP METAL: At our CL Twp Clean Up Days (currently two per summer) we make it a point to invite a scrap metal recycler so twice a year you can donate you scrap metal to him at the airport "junk round up." But other times of the year, you will see local notices of independent metal recyclers willing to pick up at your house as long as you're giving the metal to them free. Don't see any local notices posted around town or in the local papers? Try googling or come to the township hall and ask one of our staffers for names. The other end of the option scale is to look up metal recycling sites in Benzie or Grand Traverse or any other nearby counties and you haul it over there yourself. This option allows you to keep what money is to be made from your scrap metal collection.
SPORTS EQUIPMENT: Click here to check out a comprehensive article full of suggestions.
SMALL APPLIANCES: See above for advice on recycling or removing scrap metal if the machines are broken down and need to be junked. But IF STILL OPERABLE, donate them to your favorite charity or list them on Facebook, MarketPlace either for sale or for free, or on a FB site such as Free in Benzie.
HERE IS A LIST OF ALPHABETIZED ANSWERS
(a list in progress and always evolving):
BATTERIES (household): Option #1, drop them all in our collection bucket at the township hall. HOWEVER, certain batteries MUST have their poles taped in order that we accept them. Click here to see photo. The county has recently contracted with processor Northern Disposal in Thompsonville and it is this industrious private company who requires the public help save them 30% of their batteries processing time AND to keep everyone safe from potential fire that you place a simple piece of tape over the poles. It doesn't have to be electrical tape. Option #2: Click here for a great article that gives lots of ideas and places for recycling every kind of battery there is. Besides those mentioned in the article, here are a few more resources: BigGreenBox.com disposes of batteries for a shipping fee. Or you can possibly find a drop-off site through Call2Recycle which partners with Lowe's, Home Depot and some local hardware stores. Mom's Organic Market also accepts batteries for recycling.
BATTERIES (car): Many auto parts retailers or repair shops will accept old auto and truck batteries, since new car and truck batteries are made from most recycled materials. Those members who belong to Sam's Club and Costco know they can be returned there, too. Most will give you something --cash or credit-- because the "core" is worth $.
BICYCLES: The International Bicycle Fund has a "recycling bicycles" web page with lots of information about organizations seeking old bikes. Another is Bikes for the World which has donation drop-off areas in Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Massachusetts and Illinois.
BUILDING SUPPLIES: More than 1,000 Habit for Humanity ReStore locations across six countries accept building materials, including flooring, unused lumber, light fixtures, doors, windows, bricks, fencing and much more. Find a store and get more details at habitat.org.
CARS, TRUCKS. . AND BOATS, TOO: There are many organization and charities that accept vehicle donations including WCMU Public Television; Junk My Car, Vehicles for Veterans, Habitat for Humanity, The Arc and Wheels for Wishes.
CARDBOARD BOXES: If you have a collection of good moving boxes, our first suggestion is to post a free ad. Locally, that could be on FaceBook' s Market Place, or specifically on the page, Buy Nothing in Benzie County. Or Craig's List. Or, if not here in Frankfort, try possibly NextDoor.
CAR SEATS: See above for the local outlet, the Baby Pantry at St. Philip's Episcopal Church in Beulah. Also, twice a year, usually around Earth Day and again sometime in the autumn, Target Stores accept kids' car seats for recycling, and most often with a 20% discount on new baby/child-related items, including a new car seat. You may also visit RecycleYourCarSeat.
CHRISTMAS NON-FUNCTIONING LIGHTS: These strings of little lights are short-lived. Save them for two special summer Benzie County-sponsored Recycling Days.
CHRISTMAS TREES & DECORATIONS: Artificial trees and decorations cannot be recycled, so either they go in the garbage (UGH! PLASTIC!) or you might consider donating them. Again, if you are on Facebook, we suggest a "free" ad on either Facebook's Market Place or specifically on the page, Buy Nothing in Benzie County. Or Craig's List, too, because, locally, many places like Benzie Area Christian Neighbors, Echo (Benzonia and Manistee), or Traverse City's Women's Resource Center (just to name a few) get much, too much of old Christmas decorations. One place we've used is our local Benzie Area Historical Sociey & Museum which partners with Habitat for Humanity for the annual Festival of Trees as a fundraiser. Volunteers "spruce" up (no pun intended) old trees and sometimes use old decorations for a new look and offer them for sale.
CLOTHING: Vietnam Veterans of America is a national organization that has many Michigan locations. Locally, there are many others that also take good, clean clothing. Check out Benzie Area Christian Neighbors (BACN), ECHO, the Women's Resource Center, Goodwill, and others. Each charitable organization has it's own rules for clothing donations, and times in which they are open, so call ahead.
COMPUTERS, PRINTERS, ETC: If they are working, or need only very minimal repair to get them working, in the big picture there is Computers With Causes that will attempt to repair or refurbish your working computer to give to needy individuals throughout the U.S. The World Computer Exchange also accepts old computers. Globetops distributes working laptops to those who can not afford them. Locally, you could ask Mad Mike's in Traverse City about donating yours, or call the school school districts (Frankfort, Benzie, Onekama, etc.) to see if they have a student in mind that would benefit greatly from someone giving them a fairly up-to-date and working computer.
COSMETIC EMPTIES: Click here to check out this comprehensive article providing suggestions.
ELECTRONICS: Best Buy usually has a rolling 2-tiered cart just inside the entrance of their TC store onto which you can unload old computers, printers, calculators, old TV remotes, cords, mice, and more. It is unsure at this time whether all this actually gets recycled or not. Benzie County also has special collections every year during which recycling electronics is advertised and for which appointments are requested by calling Jesse at 231-882-0554. There is no charge to recycle computer equipment and small miscellaneous electronic items at the scheduled collections in 2023.
FOOD: Benzie and Northern Michigan are resort areas where seasonal "cottages" often find perfectly good food in their larders when it's time to depart the area. Charitable pantries abound to which it can be donated. Instead of listing them all here, we suggest going to this link of a full accounting of pantries and their locations at which you can drop off your donations. There is no charge to recycle computer equipment and small miscellaneous electronic items at the scheduled collections in 2023.
HAZARDOUS WASTE: Benzie County households may dispose of household hazardous waste at no charge. Many yard & garden, automotive, paint products, cleaners & other miscellaneous products in our homes, garages & basements are hazardous to dispose of and require careful treatment. Read the label to find out if a product is harmful and use caution when handling hazardous substances. Acceptable items include oil base paints, stains, thinners, cleaning solvents, contaminated oil, antifreeze, old gasoline, pesticides, insecticides, chemicals, compact & tube fluorescent bulbs, muriatic acid, household batteries, unwanted & expired medications, sharps needles, mercury Unacceptable items include latex paints, water based products, automotive batteries, ammunition, propane canisters. Call 882-0554 to find out what to do with these unacceptable items or go to www.benzieco.net, then to the Solid Waste/Recycling webpage. Click on Recycling Documents for information.
LAWN MOWERS: Some of the CLT staff have had luck just asking if local repair people want old machines for repair/resale on their own dime, or for parts. Scrap yards may also accept defunct lawn mowers. Always check to learn how to prepare your mower for drop-off, which typically includes draining the gas and oil from the engine. [Remember NEVER EVER to dump old oil or gasoline; see above on how to recycle.]
LIGHT BULBS: Multiple chain stores including Ikea, Lowe's, Home Deport and True Value, operate recycling programs for compact fluorescent lamps (CFL's) and for other fluorescent bulbs. RecycleABulb is a resource list. Locally, we suggest either CAREFULLY dropping old bulbs off at the township hall, or making an appointment at one of the 2 summer county collections.
LUGGAGE: As sad as this is, for the untold stories this advice suggests, we recommend your local foster care agency and/or department of social services or homeless shelter may accept gently used luggage. Wheels, zippers and buckles must be in working condition. Another suggestion is to donate to any of the local 2nd hand stores or charitable organizations, or post a free ad on Face Book's Buy Nothing in Benzie County page or on Craig's List.
MARKERS & HIGHLIGHTERS: Divert all your dry, used up "felt" markers from the landfill. Crayola has a program called ColorCycle. Crayola ColorCycle will accept all brands of plastic markers, not just Crayola brand. That includes dry eraser markers, highlighters, "Magic Markers" and more. If you collect the dead, no longer usable markers, they'll send you a free shipping label & you can ship them back to Crayola to be recycled. Here's the link to get started: http://www.crayola.com/colorcycle.aspx. The program is currently in the U.S. and parts of Canada. Need more information? Try www.crayola.com/colorcycle/frequently-asked-questions.aspx - FAQ's
MATTRESSES & BOX SPRINGS: Benzie County residents will be able to have their mattresses and box springs recycled at their special collection events for a fee of $15/unit. There is a limit to mattresses per collection. You must call to get on the list, however: call 882-0554.
MOTOR OIL, FILTERS AND CONTAINERS: Most retailers that sell motor oil, such as Jiffy Lube, Costco Auto Care Centers and AutoZone, will take used motor oil, filters and containers.
MEDICAL GEAR: Depending on what you have, checking with Benzie Senior Resources by calling 231-525-0600, is the first step. Nursing homes, hospitals or care facilities here in our area may also take donations. Project CURE accepts physical therapy and mobility equipment through the mail. Samaritan's Purse also takes items but the organization requests a call to 828-278-1496 to confirm that it will use your items before you ship. For $20 you can ship crutches shorter than 48 inches to Crutches 4 Kids. Med-Eq accepts donations of unused or lightly used medical equipment and supplies. Advocates for World Health uses medical equipment donations to help relief agencies in developing countries.
PACKING MATERIALS: Kraft paper can be recycled along with cardboard (see above.) For packing peanuts, first figure out what you have because there are two kinds, those that readily break down and those that don't. To test, run one under water . If it disintegrates, they all can be composted or simply dissolved in your sink and washed down the drain. However, if it doesn't disintegrate, we've got problems because they tend to get loose and scatter throughout the environment as well as present the problem of all plastics, namely they are difficult and costly to recycle. No matter what you do with these things, keep them contained within some box or bag or similar so they are not "unleashed." A local shipping store may take back the peanuts, especially if the package they came in was shipped by that company. Or dedicate a large container in your own storage space for re-use. Last but not least, check with our local Benzie County Recycling program for recycling instructions.
PAINT: First determine what exactly it is you have. For oil-based paint and stains, or such ancient paint that it might contain lead or mercury before it was banned, take the can to an approved local disposal site. Locally, that means waiting for one of the Hazardous Waste days sponsored by Benzie County's Solid Waste & Recycling Department. Some retailers also offer take-back programs. For example, Benzie County Recycling partners with Nugent Ace Hardware in Benzonia and Honor Building Supply in the Village of Honor. You may now bring your leftover water based paints to these stores to be properly recycled for a small fee. Epaint of Battle Creek, Mi. will turn the old paint into a new product to be sold at Habitat for Humanity ReStores. Also, check out PaintCare for more information. For water-based pains and stains, add kitty litter or newspapers or dry leaves equal to the amount of paint remaining in the can or bucket. Wait until the paint has dried into the litter, etc. before placing it in your regular garbage. Or, if your paint doesn't contain lead or mercury, inquire about donating it to your local school drama department for painting backdrops and scenery and props. To be disposed safely, visit Earth911 or call # 800-CLEANUP to learn whether your jurisdiction has a paint recycling program.
POWER TOOLS: If they are working, ask your local charities first, such as BACN or your local Habitat for Humanity Restore (locally, that is 2487 Rice Street, TC MI 49684, #231-944-1182 but also stores in Scottville and Cadillac) will take tools of all kinds, as will Vietnam Veterans of America and the Salvation Army. You can also check with local hardware stores, such as Ace Hardware in Benzonia (call 882-4322), some of which will accept old tools for spare parts or to collect the recycling rebates. Approved recycling facilities will take your old power tools, and some may even pay you for them. Remove any rechargeable batteries so they can be properly recycled and/or disposed of separately.
PRESCRIPTIONS: Put Your Pills in the POD! Benzie County Sheriff’s Department offers a Prescription & Over the Counter Drug Drop-Off Box in their lobby at 505 S. MI Ave. Beulah, MI 49617 for residents to bring unwanted & expired medicines, prescription drugs, controlled substances, etc. to be disposed of safely and properly. NO SHARPS (needles) ALLOWED. Not storing medicines in the home reduces possible prescription drug abuse and accidental poisoning. Medicines should never be put in the trash or flushed down the toilet.
RUGS & CARPET: Donate area rugs IF in good condition to your local charities, such as Habitat, BACN, ECHO, Goodwill, Salvation Army, or Benzie Senior Services. Carpeting and carpet padding cannot be donated for health reason but they can be recycled although seldom can one find a facility that does recycle any made with man-made fibers. For this reason, environmentalists strongly urge to buy only natural fiber for rugs and carpet such a wool, NOT nylon or polyesters, for example, as those fibers never fully dissolve but only break down into micro-particles that then stay in the environment, or our bodies, forever. Note that one staff member swears by her wool carpeting, off-white color no less, that cleans up very well for now and, when it comes time to dispose of it, can be thrown into her compost pile along with the natural fibers of the carpet padding underneath. As for any discarded rugs and carpeting, CLT staff members have had especially good luck recycling it by posting a free ad on Facebook's Market Place, specifically the Buy Nothing in Benzie County page, and on Craig's List.
SCRAP METAL: At our CL Twp Clean Up Days (currently two per summer) we make it a point to invite a scrap metal recycler so twice a year you can donate you scrap metal to him at the airport "junk round up." But other times of the year, you will see local notices of independent metal recyclers willing to pick up at your house as long as you're giving the metal to them free. Don't see any local notices posted around town or in the local papers? Try googling or come to the township hall and ask one of our staffers for names. The other end of the option scale is to look up metal recycling sites in Benzie or Grand Traverse or any other nearby counties and you haul it over there yourself. This option allows you to keep what money is to be made from your scrap metal collection.
SPORTS EQUIPMENT: Click here to check out a comprehensive article full of suggestions.
SMALL APPLIANCES: See above for advice on recycling or removing scrap metal if the machines are broken down and need to be junked. But IF STILL OPERABLE, donate them to your favorite charity or list them on Facebook, MarketPlace either for sale or for free, or on a FB site such as Free in Benzie.
