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Friday, December 30, 2011

Recycling Talking Trash After Christmas

Posted by Talyn Brumley on Fri, Dec 30, 2011 at 10:20 AM

Though there are plenty of procrastinators out there who'd rather leave their lights up until February than brave a ladder, here's a reason to take down those decorations: Curbside tree recycling starts next week.

If your Christmas tree is getting a little worse for the wear, break it down for the City of Boise's curbside recycling program. Recycling starts Monday, Jan. 2, and runs through Friday, Jan. 6. If your tree is larger than 4 feet, you must cut it into smaller sections first.

And just in case you were trying to get rid of some unwanted ornaments along with the tree, nice try. All trees must be free of ornaments and lights, and must be out of stands and skirts. Wreaths and other decorations are generally not allowed because they tend to contain metal, which damages the wood-chipping machines.

Catherine Chertudi, environmental programs manager with Boise Public Works, explained that it's ideal to put trees out on regular trash collection days, but added, "If folks can't get them taken down in time, there are drop-off locations."

One such location is the Hidden Hollow Landfill at 10300 N. Seaman's Gulch Road, which Chertudi said will recycle trees free of charge until Saturday, Jan. 14. Residents may also take trees to Republic Services at 11101 W. Executive Drive free of charge until Thursday, Jan. 12.

Apart from clearing space in your house, recycling your Christmas tree has another awesome benefit. According to Chertudi, recycled Christmas trees, like recycled leaves, become part of Boise parks in sustainable landscaping materials. They may also be used for materials like animal bedding. Chertudi said that the use changes based on needs each year. For more info, you can visit Boise's recycling program online.

You can also get rid of other overflow holiday hooplah during the post-Christmas cleanup week, which continues through today, Friday, Dec. 30. Basically, it's your chance to go crazy on the trash bags without being charged extra for overflow. With all the Christmas decorations out of your house, you'll be halfway to spring cleaning. Now, if only the New Year's party mess would clean itself up, too.

Tags: Christmas tree recycling, Allied Waste

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Monday, November 14, 2011

Recycling Get Rid of Your Old Electronics

Posted by Rachael Daigle on Mon, Nov 14, 2011 at 3:00 PM

True story: The Gateway computer I paid more than two grand for in college more than 10 years ago is sitting on the floor of my office. The entirety of its digital contents were recently transferred onto two CDs—a project that has been on my to-do list for the last six years—thanks to a friend who is far tech savvier than I.

So why is this thing on my office floor? Frankly, I had no idea what to do with it. Now I do.

On Tuesday, Nov. 15, the Albertsons at 15th and State streets will host E-Waste Collection on America Recycles Day. From 1-7 p.m., you (and I) can finally cross off "dispose of old computer and cell phones" from your to-do list. Just about everything with a circuit board will be accepted, including:

· Computers
· Copiers
· Cabling
· Cameras
· Telephones
· Cell phones
· Battery Units
· Hard Drives
· VHS machines
· DVD players
· Scanners
· Satellite receivers
· Battery back-up units
· Batteries

Earlier this year, Supervalu announced a goal to have 40 of the corporation's stores achieve zero-waste by February 2012.

But what happens to all that stuff once it becomes Supervalu's problem? Here in Boise, Albertsons is working with PC Recyclers of Idaho, to dispose of equipment in the following way:

Reusable equipment is distributed to the community and local charities free of charge or sold through wholesale channels. Non-reusable equipment is broken down into raw materials and disposed of in an environmentally safe manner. Any hazardous material or components within the equipment is disposed of at EPA approved locations. And in all cases, none of the equipment that we handle is ever put into landfills.

Now that you'll have one more thing knocked off your to-do list, take National Geographic's E-Waste IQ test.

Tags: Albertson's, Supervalu, Recycling

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Friday, December 18, 2009

Recycling Reuseum Relocates, Reopens

Posted by Amy Atkins on Fri, Dec 18, 2009 at 12:27 PM

The Reuseum, a store that offers its geeky patrons a selection of surplus and gently used technology items, found its old location as passe as Pong and moved lock, stock and widgets to a new home in Garden City at 108 W. 33rd St.

The new space is twice as big as the old one and instead of small, crowded areas, is now one big open space where it's easier to sift through electronic components, military surplus items and computer parts or work on your own hi-tech project. Owner David Gapen reportedly refers to the new digs as Reuseum v.2.0, because it's not only bigger but improved, including more hours of operation. It's now open Fri.-Wed. 10:30 a.m.-6 p.m.

The grand opening continues through December, which means for the next few days at least, you might still snag a door prize when you go in looking for that vintage amplifier tube that will change your life.

For up to date info on Reuseum doings, visit reuseum.com and follow them on Facebook and Twitter at @reuseum.

Tags: Reuseum

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Friday, October 30, 2009

Green / Recycling / Downtown Bittercreek Makes the Times

Posted by Rachael Daigle on Fri, Oct 30, 2009 at 3:24 PM

The New York Times published a piece today in its Green Inc. blog about the green revolution Bittercreek Ale House/Red Feather Lounge owner Dave Krick is leading from his Eighth Street restaurants.

We all know about Krick's hyper commitment to locally sourced food and some of us knew about the worm castings operation in the basement, but I'll be honest, I was totally in the dark about the low-power happy hours, when just about everything gets unplugged and candles light the way.

Read the full story here.

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