Recycling Hard to Recycle Items

If you are in the midst of a spring clean, chances are you'll find several items that have outgrown their usefulness. Recycling some things can get a bit confusing. Here are a couple resources that will point you in the right direction to a cleaner house and a clearer conscience.

We recently learned of an informative web site called Earth911. This national site links potential recyclers to local recycling resources. Old paint, used tires, computer monitors? No problem. Just enter in the item you want to get rid of and your city then the web generates a list of local recycle facilities. There is also an extensive list of places you can mail your items to be recycled if you can't find somewhere in your area.

If you happen to live around Portland, OR you have access to Metro's Recycling Information Hotline, 503-234-3000 (Mon-Sat, 8:30-5). It is a service provided by Metro (regional government) to help people make decisions about recycling and land management. You can see their TV spot here.

Let us know of any helpful recycling resources in your area!

(Image: Metro)

Comments (3)

In San Francisco there is a free curbside pick up for large items, like appliences, furniture, etc.

I have such a pet peeve seeing this stuff left on sidewalks for weeks on out thinking some magical person wants your crap.

When you can make a simple phone call to -
http://sunsetscavenger.com/residentialServices.htm

LoriSF is correct. Sunset Scavenger will give you 2 FREE Bulk Item Pick ups per year. FREE! I get so tired of seeing old mattresses on the street corners! And not only that, but several charities with large trucks willing to pick up other common household items from your doorstep come by every few months--the ARC, UCP and Mission Ministries to name a few. MM will even p/u used appliances and large furniture items (1-800-786-9855 if you are in SF.) San Francisco also has free technology recycling by neighborhood. Flyers are in the mail to drop off PCs, cameras, cable equipment, monitors, keyboards etc.

In San Francisco, Fredericksen Hardware & Paint on Fillmore in Cow Hollow takes paint to recycle. They don't seem to have a website but call to get details.