Landfill, Environmental & Administrative Services
Recyclable Items & The Freecycle Network
Environmental » Recyclable Items
Aluminum | Appliances | Batteries | Cell Phones | Clothing | Computers | Drywall | Fluorescent Bulbs | Mercury | Plastics | Televisions | Tires
Aluminum Recycling
The environmental benefits of aluminum recycling are enormous, so are the benefits.
The advent of the aluminum beverage can in the 1960's helped spur the development of community recycling programs. Markets fluctuate over time, but traditionally the high market value of scrap aluminum has generated enough income to allow recycling programs to pay for other, less lucrative recycling services.
Recycling is as valuable to the aluminum industry as aluminum is to the recycling infrastructure. The capital costs for making aluminum from recycled material is far lower than the capital investment needed to derive aluminum from its source-bauxite ore. It takes 12 to 20 times more energy to make aluminum from bauxite than making it from recycled aluminum.
Because most electricity is produced by burning fossil fuels, that energy savings translates into further conservation of natural resources and a significant reduction in pollution. The Reynolds Metals Company estimates that producing recycled aluminum produces 95% less pollution than making aluminum from virgin ore. Transportation, beverage cans and other packaging, and building construction are the top markets for the aluminum industry.
Transportation is the largest market for aluminum in the United States. Almost two-thirds of aluminum is used to make car and light truck components and the vast majority of that material is recycled, up to 90% according to the Aluminum Association. The use of aluminum in car parts also drives other conservation benefits, lightweight's aluminum body panels and engines for instance, are used to improve the fuel efficiency of some cars.
Building construction is the third biggest market for aluminum; aluminum doors, windows and siding are a major source of recycled aluminum. Recycled aluminum is increasingly used in their production.
Did you know?
- Recycling an aluminum can saves the energy equivalent of six ounces of gasoline.
- The energy saved by one aluminum can is enough to run a television for three hours.
- In three months, Americans throw away enough aluminum to rebuild the commercial air fleet.
- Americans threw away half a million tons of aluminum last year, worth nearly $800 million dollars!
Appliances
The US EPA RAD (Responsible Appliance Disposal) program and US DOE Energy Star program encourage proper recycling of refrigerators and freezers.
Both AEP Ohio and Dayton Power & Light (DP&L) are offering fridge and freezer recycling to residents. Collectively, these companies provide utilities to about 2.5 million customers in Ohio (500,000 by DP&L and 1.5 Million by AEP). If a resident is an AEP customer or a DP&L customer, they can have their working fridge and/or freezer picked up and they will receive a $25 check in the mail. See the websites for more details. www.aepohio.com, www.dpandl.com, www.energystar.gov.
Defiance County Environmental Services offers ‘free’ disposal of appliances in cooperation with Defiance OmniSource. Defiance County Environmental Services allows customers to bring their appliances to the Hicksville Transfer Station, Gingrich Road on the 1st and 3rd Saturday in April. In 2009, we recycled 6785 Pounds of appliances. OmniSource will take appliances year round at their location: 880 Linden Street, Defiance Ohio.
Batteries
Based on recent investigations conducted by the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT), Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA), and based on recent incidents, this letter is generated to convey our findings and our ongoing effort to improve compliance and transportation safety. PHMSA has noted an ongoing trend of serious safety problems and non-compliance regarding the classification, packaging, marking, labeling, documentation, and transportation of spent batteries in commerce. PHMSA has great concern over the lack of compliance with and understanding of the transportation requirements for batteries. PHMSA recognizes the breadth and scope of the battery recycling and disposal industries. However, due to several incidents resulting in serious consequences, PHMSA pledges its efforts to reduce this risk by enforcing the safety standards and increasing awareness. In order to magnify its safety and compliance efforts, PHMSA feels this letter will help increase the awareness and provide a means of contact for the prescribed safety requirements to the appropriate battery recycling and disposal transportation streams.
PHMSA is concerned that many persons who ship batteries for recycling or disposal do not appreciate the hazards posed by batteries during transportation. PHMSA has documented numerous shipments that were not in compliance with requirements in the Hazardous Materials Regulations (HMR, 49 CFR Parts 171-180).
Common violations and safety problems noted during these investigations include:
1. Large numbers of used batteries, of many different types, are collected in large containers that do not adequately prevent damage to the batteries or prevent their release during transportation.
2. Outer packages are not marked and labeled as required to indicate that they contain batteries; the shipments are not described as required on accompanying shipping documents.
3. No action is being taken to prevent a short circuit, such as separating the batteries by placing each one in a separate plastic “baggie” or taping the terminals of the battery.
These types of violations appear to have directly led to a November 2006 incident in which a shipment of used, rechargeable lead acid batteries caused a fire that completely destroyed the vehicle transporting the batteries.
PHMSA has also investigated two additional parcel carrier delivery truck fires. These incidents occurred in April and of July 2008. Both of these incidents involved batteries destined for recycling.
The following is a brief summary of the requirements that apply to ground shipments of batteries for recycling or disposal. These requirements also apply to shipments of batteries from battery manufacturers, equipment manufacturers, distributors and retail sales outlets. While additional requirements apply to air shipment of batteries PHMSA is not aware of used batteries being shipped by air.
All batteries are subject to requirements in the HMR because they have two types of hazards: (1) the chemicals or other materials contained in the battery, and (2) the electrical potential of the battery.
All batteries must be packaged for transportation in a manner that prevents short circuiting and damage to the battery or its terminals. This may be achieved by packing each battery in fully enclosed
inner packagings made of non conductive material or separating the batteries from each other and other conductive material in the same package and pack to prevent damage and shifting while in transport.
Lithium batteries (including lithium- ion batteries) are “Class 9” miscellaneous hazardous materials, and are subject to requirements in § 173.185. Note that “small” and “medium” sized lithium batteries may be shipped by ground under the requirements in § 172.102 Special Provisions 188 and 189.
Batteries, wet including batteries containing electrolyte acid or alkaline battery fluid are “Class 8” corrosive hazardous materials, and are subject to requirements in § 173.159. This section allows for reduced requirements when the batteries are shipped by ground by themselves (i.e., no other hazardous materials on the same vehicle).
Batteries containing sodium are “Division 4.3” dangerous when wet hazardous materials, and are subject to the requirements in § 173.189.
Batteries, dry, containing potassium hydroxide solid are class 8 corrosive hazardous materials, and are subject to requirements in 49 C.F.R. § 173.213.
Batteries, dry, include the common household type alkaline batteries. Additionally, these include nickel cadmium (NiCad), nickel metal hydride (NiMH) and silver-zinc batteries. These “dry” batteries unless specifically covered by another entry in the Hazardous Material Table (HMT) are not subject to the HMR provided they are in conformance with § 172.102 Special Provision (SP) 130. SP 130 prescribes they are to be securely packaged to prevent the dangerous evolution of heat and protect against short circuits. Insulating the exposed terminal ends and securely packaging the batteries is an effective means for complying with SP 130.
On January 14, 2009, PHMSA published a Final Rule in the Federal Register under Dockets HM-215J and HM-224D titled “Revision to Requirements for the Transportation of Batteries and Battery-Powered Devices; and Harmonization with the United Nations Recommendations, International Maritime Dangerous Goods Code, and International Civil Aviation Organization's Technical Instructions”.
Except as specified in §§ 171.14, 171.25, 172.102,172.448, and 178.703 as amended, compliance with the amendments adopted in this final rule will be required beginning January 1, 2010, with a voluntary compliance date of January 1, 2009.
This final rule:
• Requires reporting of incidents involving batteries and battery-powered devices that result in a fire, violent rupture, explosion, or dangerous evolution of heat. Immediate notice is limited to air transport of batteries and battery-powered devices.
• Clarifies the requirement that batteries and battery-powered devices and vehicles be offered for transportation and transported in a manner that prevents short- circuiting, the potential of a dangerous evolution of heat, damage to terminals, and, in the case of transportation by aircraft, unintentional activation.
• Includes several examples of packaging methods that meet the requirement to be packed in a manner that prevents short circuits.
DOT encourages and supports the safe recycling and disposal of used batteries. However, we take an aggressive approach to swiftly investigate and enforce the safety requirements in the HMR for complaints and transportation incidents such as the parcel carrier delivery truck battery incident in November 2006.
Persons who violate the HMR may be subject to significant civil penalties and criminal fines and imprisonment. The maximum penalties depend on several factors, including the nature and circumstances, extent and gravity, and severity of the consequences of the violation, but can range up to $100,000 for a civil penalty and $500,000 and ten years in jail for a criminal penalty. In a recent enforcement case, PHMSA assessed a total civil penalty of $360,000 for multiple violations of the HMR relating to the improper shipment of used batteries for recycling or disposal.
More detailed information on the requirements in the HMR governing the shipment of batteries and additional guidance are available on DOT’s Hazmat Safety web site: http://www.phmsa.dot.gov/hazmat. The HMR are also accessible through our website, and you can obtain answers to specific questions from the Hazardous Materials Information Center at 1-800-467-4922 (in Washington, DC, call 202-366-4488).
Radio Shack will recycle any household batteries: AAA, AA, phone batteries, rechargeable or not. They need to be in a container with a secured lid.
Cellular Phones & Accessories
Cell Phones for Soldiers was created by Brittany & Robbie Bergquist of Norwell MA. After reading a story about a soldier who ran up a huge phone bill calling home from Iraq, these two teenagers decided to help out. They started by opening an account with $21.00 of their own money. They are collecting cash donations and old cell phones. The cell phones are recycled for cash and the proceeds are used to buy prepaid calling cards for our soldiers serving in the Middle East. Cell Phones For Soldiers is a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. Their efforts have motivated people and businesses around the country to donate to this worthy cause. Their goal is to provide every US soldier with a way to call home for free. For more information, please visit their website @ www.cellphonesforsoldiers.com, Phone: 1-800-426-1031
Cell Phones for Soldiers AND Defiance County Environmental Services KICKS OFF CELL PHONE COLLECTION DRIVE IN Defiance County.
NORWELL, Mass., DATE – More than 150,000 troops are serving overseas and are away from their families. Cell Phones for Soldiers and Defiance County Environmental Services are calling on all Americans to support for these brave men and women by donating your unused cell phones. Cell Phones for Soldiers hopes to collect over 50,000 cell phones to help keep troops connected with their families.
“For the loved ones of soldiers serving abroad, Memorial Day is much more than a long holiday weekend,” says Brittany Bergquist, Cell Phones for Soldiers co-founder. “We’re asking Americans to make a small sacrifice of support by donating their unused cell phones, providing families with a much-needed connection to their loved ones overseas.”
Local residents can support the collection drive by donating their phones at: 500 Court Street, Suite E, Environmental Services, 2nd Floor
Cell Phones for Soldiers was founded by teenagers Robbie and Brittany Bergquist from Norwell, Mass., with $21 of their own money. Since then, the registered 501c3 non-profit organization has raised almost $1 million in donations and distributed more than 500,000 prepaid calling cards to soldiers serving overseas.
“We have been overwhelmed by the generous support of thousands of Americans who have helped our troops speak with their loved ones,” says the teens’ father, Bob Bergquist. “However the need for support keeps growing as more soldiers are sent to the Middle East or are asked to serve extended tours of duty.”
Through increased fundraising efforts, the Bergquist family hopes to raise more than $9 million in the next five years to fund new programs, such as providing video phones and prepaid service to allow soldiers abroad to see their families on a regular basis.
The phones are sent to ReCellular, which pays Cell Phones for Soldiers for each donated phone – enough to provide an hour of talk time to soldiers abroad.
Approximately half of the phones ReCellular processes are reconditioned and resold to wholesale companies in over 40 countries around the world. Phones and components that cannot be refurbished are dismantled and recycled to reclaim materials, including:
- Gold, silver and platinum from circuit boards
- Copper wiring from phone chargers
- Nickel, iron, cadmium and lead from battery packs
- Plastic from phone cases and accessories
Clothing
A variety of local organizations participate in the annual Coats for Kids campaign. People can 'recycle' gently used or outgrown coats by taking them to participating drop off locations. Area dry cleaning businesses clean the coats for free, before dispersing the coats to the public. Defiance has a local Goodwill and they will accept donations of clothing at their store located at 1524 N. Clinton. Call them for receiving times. If you are not sure of what organization to donate to, scan the yellow pages. Different organizations depend on the donations of others. The Pregnancy Crisis Center needs baby clothing and baby items, the PATH organization could use donations of adult clothing as well as young children. The Red Cross supplies clothing to disaster stricken areas as well as serving local needs. Most churches in the area also assist local organizations or have clothing drives to assist an impoverished area or help a troubled family.
Clothing is a very easy item to recycle and it benefits others immediately!
Computer Recycling
From the growing popularity and necessity of computers and rapidly changing computer technologies, comes the growing problem of computer and electronics waste. As more new and improved computers are designed and built, older obsolete computers are becoming part of the waste stream. The life expectancy of a computer is getting shorter and shorter with the advancing technology.
There are three primary parts that make up a personal computer. The computer is the large box which contains the disk drive, power supply, and the processor. The computer may also contain other components such as the sound and video cards, and internal modems. The monitor is the screen, or the part of the computer that looks like a television (also referred to as a cathode ray tube or CRT). The keyboard is the part which, not surprisingly, looks like a typewriter keyboard. In some older models, the computer may be housed in the same case as the monitor or the keyboard.
Virtually an entire computer can be recycled. From the glass in the monitor, to the plastic in the case, to the copper in the power supply, to the precious metals used in the circuitry. Companies are making new innovative products out of old computers. Many computers can be revitalized and donated or sold to schools in economically challenged urban and rural areas. Some vocational schools use old computers to teach electronic repair and analysis techniques. Non-functioning computers may also have salvageable components such as modems or power supplies that could be used to refurbish other computers.
Under Ohio's provisions, computer CRTs are not regulated as hazardous wastes if the generator has them recycled. Ohio considers discarded integrated circuits from computer systems to be scrap metal. Scrap metal is not regulated as hazardous waste if it is reclaimed or recycled.
You can contact the Defiance County Environmental & Administrative services, 419-782-5442, for further computer recycling information and/or our local Goodwill, Salvation Army, Am Vets, or other organizations where you can donate the computer for resale or refurbishing. You might also contact school districts near you to see if they can use your computer or the Ohio EPA website, www.epa.state.oh for a list of companies that have identified themselves as recyclers of computers and/or electronic components.
Dell and Goodwill Launch Free Computer Recycling for Northwest Ohio Consumers
TOLEDO, OHIO, Feb. 20, 2008
Reconnect, a free drop-off program to recycle unwanted computers, was introduced today by Dell and Goodwill Industries of Northwest Ohio.
Reconnect will serve consumers throughout Northwest Ohio. The program leverages Dell’s resources and global recycling experience and the donation and retail infrastructure of Goodwill.
Reconnect helps protect the environment through the responsible recycling or reuse of computer equipment, and provides residents a convenient way to support a local non-profit organization.
The program’s goal is two-fold: divert nearly one million pounds of used computers and computer equipment from area landfills over the next year; and provide consumer education on the importance of environmentally-responsible computer disposal. Reconnect also can help create job opportunities for individuals with disabilities and other employment barriers.
"Goodwill’s Reconnect program has the potential not only to divert environmentally dangerous products from the solid waste stream but also to provide new opportunities for disabled citizens throughout Northwest Ohio" said Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur.
Beginning today, residents throughout Northwest Ohio can visit www.reconnectpartnership.com or www.goodwillnwohio.org to locate the most convenient drop-off at any of the 14 participating Goodwill donation centers and retail stores.
Goodwill will accept and sort the donated computer equipment and Dell's product recovery partner will recycle and remarket the recycled materials, such as plastics, glass and metals. All proceeds support Goodwill’s non-profit job-training and employment programs.
Residents will be responsible for removing data from hard drives and other storage media before donating to Goodwill. Goodwill staff will provide donors with a donation receipt at the time of donation.
“Goodwill Industries of Northwest Ohio is very happy to begin the operational phase of our partnership with Dell,” said Bob Huber, Goodwill’s President and CEO. “Responsible recycling of e-waste is critical to our environment and we are excited to offer this program to the communities we serve. As the pilot for other Ohio Goodwills, we join Michigan and other Goodwill/Dell Reconnect partners around the country in this beneficial community effort while supporting Goodwill’s mission and creating new jobs.”
“Dell wants to make computer recycling easy and free for any consumer, and ReConnect is an important program that helps make that possible,” said Joe Strathmann, head of product recycling services for Dell. “Becoming the greenest technology company means partnering with communities, stakeholders and customers to help protect the Earth. Our latest Northwest Ohio partnership is an excellent example of that effort in action.”
Other Goodwill-Dell programs are under way in Austin (15 counties in Central Texas), San Francisco (Marin, San Francisco and San Mateo counties), San Antonio (23 counties in Central and South Texas), North Carolina (49 counties), San Diego County, Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, as well as throughout the states of Michigan and New Jersey.
Additional Information, including Questions and Answers, about the Program
About Dell Dell Inc.
(NASDAQ: DELL)
Listens to customers and delivers innovative technology and services they trust and value. Uniquely enabled by its direct business model, Dell is a leading global systems and services company and No. 34 on the Fortune 500. For more information, visit www.dell.com, or to communicate directly with Dell via a variety of online channels, go to www.dell.com/conversations. To get Dell news direct, visit www.dell.com/RSS.
About Goodwill Industries of Northwest Ohio
Since 1933, Goodwill Industries of Northwest Ohio has provided employment and job training to individuals with disabilities and/or work-related disadvantages. As unemployment increases, so does the need for Goodwill’s services. Northwest Ohio Goodwill stores and donation centers are located in Bowling Green, Bryan, Defiance, Findlay, Napoleon, Northwood, Ottawa, Tiffin and Toledo. For more information on Goodwill Industries of Northwest Ohio, please visit our web site: www.goodwillnwohio.com.
Store and Donation Center Locations:
Defiance: 1005 N. Clinton; 419-782-2577
Bryan: 222 W. High St.; 419-633-0039
Napoleon: 230 Lagrange St.; 419-592-0201
Findlay : 7430 Timberston; 419-422-2796
For an entire Northwest Ohio Listing please visit www.reconnectpartnership.com
Drywall Recycling
The Construction materials Recycling Association (CMRA) announce the opening of its newest website, www.drywallrecycling.org, an information resource on how to recycle gypsum wallboard from the construction and demolition waste stream. This project was funded by U.S. EPA Region 5 and the information was compiled by Dr. Timothy Townsend of the University of Florida.
Included on the webpage is information about gypsum drywall, how it can be processed for other markets after use as drywall, and some of the available markets. There is a list of known literature and research on the subject, and the list of state contracts for gypsum recyclers. In addition, there is an extensive discussion of possible odor problems when the material is disposed of in landfills.
“Gypsum may be the more difficult material to recycle among all the C&D components,” says William Turley, Executive Director, and CMRA. “This webpage will provide the basic information on how to do it.”
The webpage is the second in the CMRA’s ongoing series of compiling all known information on recycling various components of the construction and demolition waste stream. This first effort is www.shinglerecycling.org and the next planned website is www.concreterecycling.org. The latter will not be available for some time yet.
Fluorescent Bulb Recycling
The Home Depot® is commended for their recycling efforts; however they are not in our community of Defiance, Ohio. To check who will take fluorescent bulbs and maybe find a closer business, please check out: www.thomasnet.com, type in fluorescent bulbs and select northern Ohio for the region.
The Home Depot®, the world’s largest home improvement retailer, expanded its long-term commitment to the environment and sustainability by launching a national in-store, consumer compact fluorescent light (CFL) bulb recycling program at all 1,973 The Home Depot® locations.
This free service is the first such offering made so widely available by a retailer in the United States and offers customers additional options for making environmentally conscious decisions from purchase to disposal. The Home Depot® Canada launched a CFL recycling program in November, 2007.
At each The Home Depot® store, customers can simply bring in any expired, unbroken CFL bulbs, and give them to the store associate behind the returns deck. The bulbs will then be managed responsibility by an environmental management company who will coordinate CFL packaging, transportation and recycling to maximize safety and ensure environmental compliance.
Mercury
The Defiance County Environmental Services will be implementing the annual Mercury Exchange Program during the month of October, 2008. Outside temperature thermometers will be given to recyclers who bring in thermostats containing mercury and medical digital thermometers will be exchanged for the mercury glass stick types.
Recyclers can go to any recycle locations and exchange their mercury filled items. Mercury should be secured in a plastic or glass container. The cap should be taped with electrical tape. This container should then be placed in a zip-lock plastic bag or placed inside another plastic or glass container with a sealed lid. If you have any questions, please call 419-782-5442.
Any large quantities of mercury should be called into the Defiance Environmental office for proper disposal or pickup. Please call 419-782-5442 or contact Dave Heinlein at BGSU, see our contacts page for numbers and website information. For additional information regarding mercury recycling and/or general data, please check out the following sites:
www.epa.state.oh.us/opp/mercury_pbt/mercury.html
www.osha.gov/SLTC/mercury/index.html
www.epa.gov/mercury
Plastics
Our nation generates more than 19.3 million tons of plastic waste each year, and yet only 2% is recovered by recycling. Most plastics that end up in Ohio’s waste stream are from packaging and containers.
Plastic is a valuable commodity because it is an oil or natural gas-based product. By recycling plastics, Ohioans are saving energy and conserving a non-renewable source. The plastics industry has voluntarily devised a coding system which makes recycling plastics easier for local communities. Since 1988, many plastic containers have become lighter and many manufacturers are packaging their products in the most recyclable plastics possible. The coding system for plastics that our recycling stations accept is as follows:
#1 PETE (polyethylene terephthalate) Also known as PET, this plastic is most commonly used for soft drink bottles and frozen food trays.
#2 HDPE (high-density polyethylene) Another commonly used plastic, it is used to produce food containers such as milk and juice jugs, and personal care product packaging such as shampoo and lotion bottles.
Many of Ohio’s recycling centers, curbside collection programs and recycling drives do accept some plastic. The most commonly recycled plastics are those coded #1 and #2. For example milk jugs and soda bottles can be recycled and remanufactured into new products, such as fiberfill, carpeting and plastic lumber products. Important facts about plastics recycling:
- Plastic products make up about 11% of the nation’s waste stream by weight, but make up about 24% by volume.
- A typical single-family household will set out about 13 pounds of plastics per person each year in curbside recycling programs.
- Recycling plastic containers into new products saves about 50% of the energy used to make the same product from new material. In addition, recycling plastics can save twice as much energy as incineration.
- The national recycling rate for PET plastics (#1) bottles reached 32% percent in 1994, yet only 2% of all plastics were recycled.
- About, 1,200 soft drink and salad dressing containers could carpet the average living room.
- It takes 1,050 HDPE (#2) milk jugs to make a six-foot plastic lumber park bench.
Plastic recycling is easy. Remove and discard tops and rings, rinse well until no liquid residue remains, crush to save space and store until collection time.
Ohioans must continue to look at new ways to reduce the state’s solid waste stream, and recycling plastics is a viable alternative. To ensure the success and growth of plastics recycling, Ohioans must choose plastics that can be recycled and purchase containers and plastic products that are made with recycle materials.
Plastic Bag Recycling
Paper or plastic? How many times have we all been asked that question? Those thin little plastic bags with handles have been a useful item. People reuse the bags or replace more expensive garbage liners with plastic grocery bags. We attempt to reuse and recycle, but…they keep multiplying! Even a family of two can possess over 30 bags per month. Some store chains will accept ‘their’ bags and utilize a recycling process that takes used bags and makes new ones for their store. This is wonderful, but what do you do when your drawer is stuffed with bags or your convenient bag holder exceeds the limits, where do those bags go? Normally in the trash and to the landfill!
Defiance County Environmental Services in cooperation and coordination with Werlor Recycling will now accept clean plastic bags. All we ask is that you stuff empty, clean bags into a bag and when you can’t stuff any more in that bag, tie the handles together and bring them to any of our recycling stations. For dates, times and locations, see our home page and click on any monthly calendar. **Please note that for those that have the green recycle bins at their homes, Werlor is not accepting the plastic bags or shampoo/lotion bottles.
If you have any questions or comments, please call our office at 419-782-5442 or email the Director, Tim Houck at thouck@defiance-county.com or the Assistant Director, June Crosser at jcrosser@defiance-county.com.
Television Recycling
Digital TV Transition has been extended until June 12, 2009. Currently, many over-the-air stations are broadcasting in both analog and digital TV formats. After June 12, 2009, full-power TV stations will broadcast only in digital. The DTN transition will affect those who watch free over-the-air television (through a rooftop antenna or “rabbit ears”). If you watch over-the-air programs on an analog TV, you must take action before June 12, 2009.
If you subscribe to cable or satellite service, your TV will not be affected by this change. You can also purchase a Digital Converter Box from several retail stores. As consumers continue to upgrade technologies, transitioning from analog to digital technology and cathode ray tube (CRT) to flat panel televisions, they will need opportunities to manage their old TVs. Recycling TVs help to conserve natural resources and reduce energy use, green house gas emissions and other pollutants related to extraction and processing of virgin materials.
In 2007, Americans had accumulated 99 MILLION TVs and threw away nearly 27 MILLION. Only 18% were recycled. Due to the expectation of an increase in outdated analog TVs, recycling outlets for Televisions has increased. Defiance County is not equipped to handle the hazardous material within a television set, so TVs have not been included in our recycling program. Those recyclers that have the capability to recycle televisions are listed below:
BEST BUY – All US Best Buy Stores will accept most consumer electronics (including televisions up to 32” in size) for recycling, beginning February 15th, 2009. Consumers may bring a maximum of two (2) items per day. A $10 fee will be applied for each item and consumers will be given a $10 Best Buy gift card in return.
SAMSUNG TVs – Offers more than 170 locations throughout the US where consumers can drop off their SAMSUNG TVs at no cost (other brands will be taken, but a fee will apply). The closest location to the City of Defiance is 525 Enterprise Drive, Wauseon, OH 43567.
SONY TVs – Provides consumers 274 nationwide locations with free recycling service for all Sony brand TV’s and fee-based recycling of other brands. Sony’s program is called the Take Back Recycle Program and is offered in Warsaw, IN, Southfield, MI, Cincinnati, OH, Grand Rapids, MI, and Fairborn, OH. Please check the SONY website and click recycling program to find a SONY recycling location nearest you.
Other brands of TV’s may offer a similar program. Please check the brand of your TV and Google their website for further information.
Tire Recycling
Every year, 10 to 12 million scrap tires are generated by Ohio citizens. Many of these tires eventually wind up in large scrap tire stockpiles, abandoned in warehouses, or dumped along roadsides in rural areas. These scrap tires are a serious environmental and public health threat because of the potential for fire and because tires hold water that serves as an ideal breeding ground for disease-carrying mosquitoes.
Did you know that ten tires, when left intact, can occupy more than a cubic yard of space in a landfill? For years, that has been the fate of out of service tires taking up landfill space. Today, however, tires are taking a new spin; giving them use long after their days as tires are gone.
Tires are initially recycled for their rubber content, Processed through a series of commercially available shredders that sequentially reduce them to two-inch or smaller pieces, with the steel magnetically removed to produce an alternative fuel (in lieu of coal) used by pulp and paper producers, cement kilns, and electric utilities. It is also an effective substitute for crushed stone in civil engineering applications such as road beds, landfill construction or septic field construction. Crumb rubber (rubber granules and powder) can be used for playground and athletic surfaces, running tracks, landscaping/groundcover applications, bullet containment systems, or as feedstock to be further modified into specialty materials such as rubberized asphalt or reincorporated back into tires. Tires are also being recycled into heavy-duty roofing shingles, stamped from the tread of scrap passenger and light truck tires and coated with a granular material to create a "slate look"
Recycling the steel wire in a tire now allows up to 99 percent of the average passenger car tire be captured for recycling. Recycling steel tire wire is also an environmentally-responsible means of collecting a high quality source of steel scrap and conserving landfill space. The average passenger tire contains approximately 10 percent steel wire by weight, which helps make the tire stronger and more rigid.
Tire wire scrap is used to make new steel. Each year, between 60 and 70 million tons of steel scrap, including old steel cans, broken-down appliances, old automobiles and construction metals, are recycled.
Tires are accepted at the Henry County Landfill, visit their website for further information: www.bright.net/~henrycountylitter/page4.html
Freecycle Network
Do you have some used items that you would like to donate to someone who could use it? Your intentions are good, but you don’t want to take the time to haul it or advertise it? Then Freecycle may be an option for you.
Freecycle.org is a website that anyone can post anything they have for others to use. Reusing is another way of recycling.
The Freecycle Network™ is made up of many individual groups across the globe. It's a grassroots movement of people who are giving (& getting) stuff for free in their own towns. Each local group is run by a local volunteer moderator (them's good people). Membership is free. To sign up, find your community by clicking on the region on the right. It will generate an automatic e-mail which, when sent, will sign you up for your local group and send you a response with instructions on how it works. Or, go directly to the Web site for your local group by clicking on your community's link on the left. Can't find a group near you? You might want to consider starting one (click on "Start a Group" for instructions). Have fun!
The Freecycle Network was started in May 2003 to promote waste reduction in Tucson's downtown and help save desert landscape from being taken over by landfills. The Network provides individuals and non-profits an electronic forum to "recycle" unwanted items. One person's trash can truly be another's treasure!
How does it work?
When you want to find a new home for something -- whether it's a chair, a fax machine, piano, or an old door -- you simply send an e-mail offering it to members of your Freecycle group.
Or, maybe you're looking to acquire something yourself. Simply respond to a member's offer, and you just might get it. After that, it's up to the giver to decide who receives the gift and to set up a pickup time for passing on the treasure.
One main rule: Everything posted must be free, legal, and appropriate for all ages.
Non-profit organizations also benefit from The Freecycle Network. Post the item or items you want to give away and a local organization can help you get it to someone in need.
Who can use The Freecycle Network?
Think globally, recycle locally. The Freecycle Network is open to all communities and to all individuals who want to participate. Freecycle groups are run by local volunteer moderators from across the globe who facilitate each local group - grassroots at its best! When you sign up for The Freecycle Network™'s FreecycleFinder tool, you can take advantage of Saved Searches, Emailed Alerts, and more features to come! If interested, please visit http://www.freecycle.org
Tire Art
