What Do I Do With This Stuff?

I recently wrote a column on how getting organized and reducing your purchases also can help the environment. In celebration of Earth Day later this month, I want to share with you some ways to responsibly dispose of items that you are purging as you organize your home.

That box of wires
Everyone I run into seems to have a box of wires! This box can contain power cords, adapters, extension cords and power strips that may or may not work or fit anything that you own. The Delaware County Solid Waste Authority hosts regular electronics recycling events along with their household hazardous waste (HHW) recycling events. The next event is on April 9 in Darby, PA. See http://www.co.delaware.pa.us/recycle/hhw.html or call 610-892-9627 for details and future events. The Earth Care Council will collect electronics recycling at their Delaware County Environmental Fair on April 9, as well. See http://earthcarecouncil.org/index.htm. If you cannot make it to one of these events, consider donating items to Impact Thrift Stores (http://www.impactthrift.org) or call your local Staples or Best Buy store.

Cell phones
As well as bringing old cell phones to the above-listed electronics recycling events, you can donate old cell phones at many Delaware County municipal buildings and at every Delaware County Library System (DCLS) member library. Visit http://www.delcolibraries.org for a list of public libraries.

Paper (that I don’t want anyone to get a hold of)
Shred it! The Delaware County Environmental Fair in April will offer free shredding. Also, the National Association of Professional Organizers-Greater Philadelphia Chapter (NAPO-GPC, http://www.napo-gpc.org) will host a free shredding event at IKEA Conshohocken on April 30. Many municipalities offer free shredding as well. If you need to get it shredded now, Wiggins Shredding in West Chester offers shredding services for a small fee.

Medications
The Drug Enforcement Administration is hosting a “Got Drugs? National Take Back Initiative” event on April 30 at many police departments. See http://www.deadiversion.usdoj.gov/drug_disposal/takeback/index.html or call 1-800-882-9539 to find a drop-off center near you.

Glasses
Lions Clubs accept used glasses for donation to people in third-world countries. The Aston Township Lions Club has a drop-box in Aston. You can find your local Lions Club by using the search on http://www.lionsclubs.org/EN/our-work/sight-programs/eyeglass-recycling/how-you-can-help.php. Or mail your glasses to Lions Clubs International Headquarters, Attn: Receiving Department, 300 W. 22nd Street, Oak Brook, IL 60523.

For information about other regions’ recycling resources, visit my website at http://www.saralong.com and click on “Resources.”