So if it's not paper, plastic, cardboard or metal but it's not quite fit for the landfill, what do you do with it? Below, we've listed some of the more popular misfit items, but visit Earth 911's recycling page or this guide at Obviously.com for a more extensive look at how to responsibly discard just about anything.
Remember the practice of precycling, where you consider the end of a product's life before purchasing.
Convenience Centers Convenience Centers will accept rechargeable batteries, motor oil and oil filters and electronics. Five of the Convenience Centers have Swap Shops, where usable goods may go to find a new home.
Electronics Rutherford County Convenience Centers now accept old computers, monitors and printers as well as television sets since it is illegal to dispose of these items in North Carolina landfills. Also many manufacturers host take-back programs. Check the manufacturer's website, or visit this site, which lists manufacturers who take back electronics.
Get paid to recycle electronics such as computers, cell phones, or PDA’s that are in working condition. Sites such as MyBoneYard.com, GreenPhone.com or eBay’s trade-in site will pay you or give you reward points to put toward purchases.
Donate it. Schools and non-profits often use retired gadgets. Many police departments and shelters have cellphone donation bins. ReCellular.com helps consumers donate old cellphones. Donations to such organizations can often help you as well in the form of a tax deduction.
Unwanted but usable items Take them to a Swap Shop. Six out of ten of Rutherford County's Convenience Centers have Swap Shops, where people are welcome to drop off and pick up usable items.
“Freecycle” it. The online Rutherford Freecycle community connects donors with recipients to reduce landfill waste and strengthen community ties. It is a local service so nothing gets shipped. They contact you via the website and you make arrangements for them to come and get the item.
Consider donating to a thrift store or local church. Some notable thrift stores in Rutherford County include Yokefellow, Shepherd's Care, the Salvation Army, Hospice Resale Shop and Habitat Re-store. One man's trash is another man's treasure. Other items... Tires, construction and demolition waste, trees and brush and any other recyclable items that are not collected in your area should be taken to the Solid Waste Transfer Station on Laurel Hill Drive.
If you have an item that you think someone else might be able to use, consider posting it on NC Wastetrader. There, individuals can post what they are hoping to get rid of, or what they are looking for.
Did You Know? Residents living outside of city limits pay an annual $100 fee when they pay their property taxes? This money funds the operation of the 10 Convenience Centers around the county, making recycling easy and accessible for all.
Tires, construction and demolition waste, trees and brush and any other recyclable items that are not collected in your area should be taken to the Solid Waste Transfer Station on Laurel Hill Drive.
