For me the blue box is the universal symbol of re-cycling. I remember when I was doing some contract work in KY and discovered the corporate apartment I had rented did not have a blue box. I naively went to the apartment management to report the missing 'blue box'. I was greeted with a blank stare and then in a long drawn out southern accent "Where y'all from?" It was a great surprise to discover that there was no universal blue boxes nor free curbside pick up. If I wanted to recycle I could collect my wasted and drive 20 miles out of town to a re-cycle center or convince all my neighbours to pay for a contractor to come and pick up our recyclables.
Not everything can be re-cycled in our blue boxes. There are some resourceful individuals and companies out there that are willing to put our cast-offs to good use.
Here are a few of my favourite:
- www.recycleplace.com will pay you for your used-up ink and toner cartridges
- www.collectivegood.comwill recycle cell phones and PDAs; some are refurbished for use in the developing world
- www.oneworldrunning.comdistributes gently used running shoes to athletes in Africa and Latin America
- www.nikereuseableshoe.com for shoes that are beyond salvaging, they can be turned into athletic flooring
One person's junk is another person's treasure. Try selling your stuff on Craig's List, ebay or giving it away on Free Cycle.
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