Monday, April 25, 2011

Free Shredding!

Remember to stop by the free shredding event at IKEA Conshocken on Saturday! A Wiggins truck will be there from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. See www.napo-gpc.org for details.

Friday, April 22, 2011

Tuesday, April 19, 2011

Medications: Dispose of Old Pills Properly

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.

Wednesday, April 13, 2011

The Great Closet Clean Out!

The Great Dames of Delaware are collecting clothing and shoes of all sizes for their Great Closet Clean-out on Friday, April 15. Here is their info:

THE 2011 GREAT CLOSET CLEAN OUT
A Career Clothing Drive sponsored by Great Dames Inc. & Pettinaro Relocation
FRIDAY, APRIL 15
9:00 am to 1:00 pm
The Towers at Greenville 210 Presidential Drive, Wilmington, DE
Additional drop-off locations online at www.great-dames.com/events

Who will benefit
The Clothing Bank of Delaware, Great Stuff (DE Breast Cancer Coalition) Shoes 2 Share

What we need
New or gently-used, clean business and dress attire for women and men in any size, shape or color

How to participate
Gather career clothing, preferably on hangers or in closed bags and bring your donations to The Towers at Greenville

For more information
Heather Hake at HeatherHake@Great-Dames.com or 610.389.4710

Thursday, April 7, 2011

Could You Live in 90 Square Feet?

My friend Bridget sent me this article about a woman living in a 90-square-foot apartment in New York City.

http://shine.yahoo.com/event/green/simple-life-in-manhattan-a-90-square-foot-home-2472666/

Could you do it? I think she still has more than I would have! Ha ha! I've lived in 360 square feet (12' x 30'), but living in one-fourth of that would be a challenge.

Although I often don't read comments at the bottom of online articles, many of the commentators are less than supportive of this woman's lifestyle. They compare their cheaper, larger apartments in other parts of the country to hers. Come on! NYC is NYC. City living is spending good chunks of your time living publicly, in coffee shops, book stores, libraries, restaurants, bars, art galleries, theatres, gyms, parks, etc. You give up your living space, and the city gives you its food and culture. If your big screen TV and your whirlpool tub are your priorities, then you can't do it. It's a different lifestyle, but it can be very enjoyable!

Wednesday, April 6, 2011

For Your Safety: Removing Your Computer Hard Drive Before Recycling

If you are planning to recycle your laptop computer at one of the upcoming electronics recycling events, it may be a good idea to remove your hard drive first. Your hard drive may contain personal information which, in the wrong hands, could lead to identity theft. See this article about how to locate and remove your hard drive. There are several ways to destroy your old hard drive once it is removed, including getting it shredded at companies like Wiggins Shredding in West Chester, Exton and Kennett Square, PA. It's not as hard as you think!

http://www.ehow.com/how_4913137_out-hard-drive-laptop.html

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.”

Tuesday, April 5, 2011

Monday, April 4, 2011

Household Hazardous Waste Recycling

Delco is holding an HHW recycling event on Saturday, April 9 in Darby:
http://www.co.delaware.pa.us/recycle/hhw.html