Beyond Curbside Recycling 2008

Most curbside recycling programs allow residents the opportunity to recycle aluminum, tin cans, plastic, newspapers, and sometimes glass. But, going beyond the curbside bin is very different in communities across the country. Listed below are the options available for residents in Macon County for recycling items not accepted in the curbside recycling program.

How to recycle magazines, cardboard and phonebooks. If you live in the city of Decatur, you have access to city curbside recycling service. Magazines and phonebooks are accepted in this program and residents are encouraged to put these items in their bin for recycling. If you live outside of the city of Decatur, Midwest Fiber, located at 1902 N. Water Street in Decatur will accept all of these items. Look for the containers as you enter the gate. You may want to call ahead for their hours of operation, 424-9460.

How to responsibly recycle your old computer and electronics. Currently Staples in Forsyth is accepting computer monitors and CPU’s and their peripherals for recycling. However, there is a charge for individual components. The best advice is to call ahead and get the details. Recently, Office Depot has added an electronics recycling program. Customers are directed toward purchasing a box, either $5, $10, or $15 and asked to take the box, pack up your electronics you wish to recycle, leave the box open and take it back to the store. Another option is to call BLH Computers in Springfield at (217) 585-1580. This company responsibly recycles computers and TV’s and their costs are minimal.

How to recycle old eye glasses. The Lions organization offers a great program for reuse and recycling of old eye glasses. Midwest Fiber and Bard Optical have drop boxes, just to name a few, but it would be a good idea to call and they can put you in touch with their drop boxes. Also, a convenient option is to ask your eye care professional for reuse and recycling opportunities.

How to recycle rechargeable batteries. There are several places in town with drop off boxes, including Macon County Solid Waste, Radio Shack, Staples, Office Depot, as well as others. Check out the website ‘Call2Recycle’, type in your zip code and locate collection points in the county. As for one time use batteries or non rechargeable batteries, you can save them for a household hazardous waste collection in the spring and they can be responsibly recycled.

How to recycle fluorescent light bulbs. The answer to this recycling issue is twofold. For compact fluorescent bulbs used in the home, the best answer is to save them for a Household Hazardous Waste Collection, usually held in the Spring in the area. For fluorescent tube lights, containers can be obtained from companies such as Grainger located in Park 101. They offer recyclable containers with prepaid postage which hold 5, 10 or 20 tubes and they can be shipped for responsible recycling.

How to recycle unwanted/unused medications. This issue is currently developing due to the recent research indicating discarded medications being detected in waterways. Many of these discarded medications are producing harmful effects in various marine life species and not being treated in our water treatment plants. Due to this development, people are asked to refrain from disposing medications in the drain. Do not flush or rinse down drains but instead, remove labels and dispose of unwanted medications in the regular trash. Many cities are developing medication disposal recycling programs but they are in the development stages. In the near future, programs will be developed for responsible medication disposal.

How to recycle empty ink jet cartridges. There are several programs for recycling your old inkjet cartridges. Currently a good option is to take the used cartridges to Staples or Office Depot and receive a coupon off the purchase of a new cartridge. There are also several companies listed on the internet offering refunds for specific types of cartridges and toners. Some of these programs make great fundraising programs for schools. Or make the switch to a refillable cartridge which reduces the waste and is a considerable cost savings to the consumer.

How to recycle/reuse unwanted clothing and household items. The best alternative to unwanted clothing and household items is reusing rather than recycling. Having a garage sale or donating the clothes to various thrift shops offers a great opportunity for others to use the clothing you no longer need. Macon County has a good number of quality thrift shops which provide a great service to our community.

How to recycle old cell phones. There are several options for recycling and reusing old cell phones. Barbeck Communications accepts cell phones for DOVE/RSVP and recycles them or wipes the information clean and reuses them for local shelters by equipping them with only a 911 number for use by people in danger. Another option is to type ‘cell phones for soldiers’ in your browser on the internet and click on ‘print a pre-paid label’ and you can send your cell phone to ReCellular who will initiate a prepaid phone card to be sent to soldiers serving overseas. Also, the Call2Recycle drop boxes around town can be used for recycling old cell phones. Another option readily available is, in general terms; typically the locations to purchase cell phones have the option to recycle your old ones. Remember to take your old phone with you and inquire when you are there.

How to recycle old paints, stains, and varnishes. Macon County Solid Waste Management Department conducts paint, stain and varnish recycling program during the spring and summer months. Collections are the second Saturday of the month from 9:00 a.m. until noon running May through October at the Business Center located on South Rt. 51, turning right at Huff Lumber. Since the contaminants in paint become an issue in the liquid state, if you have a small amount of paint left over, removing the lid and allowing the paint to totally solidify and disposing of it in your regular trash, with the lid remaining off, is acceptable. However, if there is too much paint remaining, recycling the paint for others to use is a good and safe option.

How to recycle used motor oil. If you take your car or truck to have the oil changed, the oil is already being recycled by law. However if you change the oil at home it is important to recycle the used motor oil. Due to the many hazardous toxins in motor oil, collecting the oil in an old plastic container such as a milk jug and taking it to one of the many oil change businesses in your area for recycling is important. Call your closest auto service business; inquire as the availability of accepting used oil for recycling. Macon County Solid Waste also maintains a list of service centers accepting used motor oil for recycling, for assistance call 425-4505.