DCRRA Disposal Day - June 4

Get rid of your household hazardous waste, electronics and unused medications on Saturday, April 2, 2011. The Dutchess County Resource Recovery Agency will be collecting these materials at their facility at 96 Sand Dock Road in Poughkeepise.

Household hazardous waste includes: photo chemicals, pool chemicals, non-latex driveway sealer, metal polish, stains, varnishes, button cell batteries, and much more.

Some of the electronic equipment accepted: computer monitors, CPU's, modems, laptops, keyboards, printers, TV's, DVD players, answering machines and more.

Safe Medications Disposal: any prescription or over-the-counter pill, ointments, lotions and liquids in the original packaging. Pet medications are accepted.

There is a $5 fee for household hazardous waste and electronics disposal. Pre-registration, pre-payment and an appointment are required. There is no fee for medication disposal, but an appointment is required. Call 845-463-6020 to register. For the registration form and a complete list of acceptable items, check www.dcrra.org.

New Electronic Waste Recycling Program

New Electronic Waste Recycling Program Launched
http://www.dec.ny.gov/environmentdec/73748.html - Most consumers can now recycle electronic waste for free as manufacturers of certain electronic products work with New York State to meet recycling goals and reduce costs to local governments.

For more news from the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation's public newsletter, read the May 2011 issue online. You can access the main table of contents at DEC's website: http://www.dec.ny.gov/environmentdec/newsletter.html

National Prescription Drug Take Back Day

NATIONAL TAKE BACK INITIATIVE

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APRIL 30, 2011
10:00 AM - 2:00 PM

 

Find a collection site near you

This initiative addresses a vital public safety and public health issue.  More than seven million Americans currently abuse prescription drugs, according to the 2009 Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration’s National Survey on Drug Use and Health.  Each day, approximately, 2,500 teens use prescription drugs to get high for the first time according to the Partnership for a Drug Free America.  Studies show that a majority of abused prescription drugs are obtained from family and friends, including the home medicine cabinet.

In an effort to address this problem, DEA, in conjunction with state and local law enforcement agencies throughout the United States, conducted the first ever National Prescription Drug Take Back Day on Saturday, September 25, 2010.  The purpose of this National Take Back Day was to provide a venue for persons who wanted to dispose of unwanted and unused prescription drugs.  This effort was a huge success in removing potentially dangerous prescription drugs, particularly controlled substances, from our nation’s medicine cabinets.  There were approximately 3,000 state and local law enforcement agencies throughout the nation that participated in the event.  All told, the American Public turned in more than 121 tons of pills on this first National Take Back Day.

Due to the overwhelming success of the first event, DEA has scheduled the second National Prescription Drug Take Back Day which will take place on Saturday, April 30, 2011, from 10:00 am - 2:00 pm.  This is a great opportunity for those who missed the first event or who have subsequently accumulated unwanted, unused prescription drugs, to safely dispose of them. 

Find a collection site near you

Recycle and/or Donate Shoes

Soles4Souls facilitates the donations of shoes, which are used to aid the hurting worldwide. Shoe companies, retailers, and individuals can donate footwear (both new and used). Soles4Souls is a 501(c)(3) recognized by the IRS, and donating parties are eligible for tax advantages.   www.soles4souls.org

Nike’s Reuse a Shoe Program has provided Nike Grind recycled material to nearly 300 sport and playground surfacing projects donated by Nike programs in communities around the world – in addition to the thousands of commercial projects

www.nikereuseashoe.com

Every day sports enthusiasts go through countless pairs of running and other athletic shoes. We offer the first online recycling and donation directory that helps people find these local and international shoe recycling programs. Find the best recycling and donation alternatives for your used running shoes and footwear today!

http://www.recycledrunners.com/

Recycle Stuffed Animals

Stuffed Animals for Emergencies (S.A.F.E) chapter members collect new and gently used stuffed animals, toys, books and blankets to be redistributed to emergency organizations, children’s services, hospitals, homeless shelters and many other places that help children during times of crisis.  These emergency organizations use the stuffed animals to ease the children’s nerves and calm their fears.  Your donations let the children know you care and help them feel a little more SAFE when they need it most.

How to Donate

Safe Medications Disposal Day - May 7th

The next day to dispose of unused or expired prescriptions and over-the-counter medication is May 7, 2011, at the Dutchess County Resource Recovery Agency, 96 Sand Dock Road, Poughkeepsie. Unused or expired prescriptions, over-the-counter medication, pills, ointments, lotions, and liquids are accepted in their original packaging. Pet medication is also accepted. There is no fee for this event, however, registration is required for a time slot. For specific instructions, call 845-463-6020.

Medication Disposal Brochure

Recycling Forum Tonight, April 6th

Join Neil Seldman, President of the D.C.-based Institute for Local Self-Reliance ( http://www.ILSR.org ) and Shabazz Jackson, Cofounder of Greenway Environmental Services ( http://www.Greenway.com ) for a special zero-waste forum 


Wednesday April 6th at 5 pm at Vassar College's New England Hall Room 104


"85% by 2020-- Recycling to Save Money, Create Jobs"

DCRRA Disposal Day - April 2

Get rid of your household hazardous waste, electronics and unused medications on Saturday, April 2, 2011. The Dutchess County Resource Recovery Agency will be collecting these materials at their facility at 96 Sand Dock Road in Poughkeepise.

Household hazardous waste includes: photo chemicals, pool chemicals, non-latex driveway sealer, metal polish, stains, varnishes, button cell batteries, and much more.

Some of the electronic equipment accepted: computer monitors, CPU's, modems, laptops, keyboards, printers, TV's, DVD players, answering machines and more.

Safe Medications Disposal: any prescription or over-the-counter pill, ointments, lotions and liquids in the original packaging. Pet medications are accepted.

There is a $5 fee for household hazardous waste and electronics disposal. Pre-registration, pre-payment and an appointment are required. There is no fee for medication disposal, but an appointment is required. Call 845-463-6020 to register. For the registration form and a complete list of acceptable items, check www.dcrra.org.

Rain Barrel Workshop

Think GREEN…build a rain barrel to capture and use storm water!

Date: Thursday April 28
Time:  6:30-8 PM
Location:  Dutchess County Farm &  Home Center, Millbrook
Cost:  $45/person, includes cost of rain barrel

Rain barrels are a great option to better manage
excess storm water from your roof.  The water is captured before it
picks up pollutants, and it is safe to use for watering plants.  A
rain barrel can save gardeners up to 1,300 gallons of water during the
peak summer months!   This workshop will help you learn to better
manage storm water AND will help you build your own 55 gallon rain
barrel to take home.

Register:  * Pre-registration is required.  Please call Nancy Halas at
845-677-8223 x 115 to register. Seats will only be reserved upon
payment in full. Visa, MC and checks accepted. Checks should be made
out to Cornell Cooperative Extension and mailed to 2715 Rt. 44, Suite
1, Millbrook, NY 12545, Attn: Nancy Halas. No refunds. Substitutions
are allowed.  Seating is limited, so don't delay!

* By registering for this program you consent and authorize CCEDC
permission to use your name, likeness, image, voice and/or appearance
for inclusion in CCEDC publicity materials. You hereby release CCEDC
and Cornell University from any and all liability, claims or causes of
action. You acknowledge that you are 18 years of age or older.

New Rechargeable Battery Recycling Law

NYS Rechargeable Battery Recycling Law

The NYS Rechargeable Battery Recycling Act requires manufacturers of certain rechargeable batteries to collect and recycle the batteries statewide in a manufacturer-funded program at no cost to consumers. Most rechargeable batteries contain toxic metals that can be released into the environment when improperly disposed of. Consumers across the state will now be able to safely return to retailers rechargeable batteries for recycling or proper management at the end of their useful life.

Rechargeable Battery Recycling Details

Climate Smart Community Pledge

In May 2009, the City of Beacon adopted the Climate Smart Community Pledge. The City of Beacon agreed to the following in order to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and adapt to a changing climate:

1. Pledge to Combat Climate Change by Becoming a Climate Smart Community
2. Set Goals, Inventory Emissions, Move to Action
3. Decrease Energy Demand for Local Government Operations
4. Encourage Renewable Energy for Local Government Operations
5. Realize Benefits of Recycling and Other Climate Smart Solid Waste Management Practices
6. Promote Climate Protection through Community Land Use Planning
7. Plan for Adaptation to Unavoidable Climate Change
8. Support a Green Innovation Economy
9. Inform and Inspire the Public
10. Commit to an Evolving Process

Contact the office of Mayor Steve Gold for more information.

How Clean Must Food Containers Be Before Recycling?

This is a question many have asked. Kiera Butler provides some answers in an article published by Mother Jones magazine.

Mother Jones

Recycling at Radio Shack

Combine your errands with another opportunity to recycle electronics. Radio Shack has a Trade & Save Program which allows customers to trade in electronic items for savings on new purchases. If the item has no trade-in value, Radio Shack will recycle it for free. Radio Shack accepts cell phones, MP3 players, cameras and camcorders, GPS receivers, games consoles and games, computers, HDTVs, and car audio equipment. For more information about this program, go to www.www.radioshack.com/tradeandsave.

Central Hudson Rebate Offers

Are you upgrading your heating system? Replacing old appliances? You could be eligible for a rebate from Central Hudson. Central Hudson offers rebates for new, natural gas heating equipment, duct sealing, appliance recycling, programmable thermostats and more. And the company will pay customers $50 to recycle old, working refrigerators and freezers. Find more information at www.savingscentral.com.

Tech Trash Recycling at Office Depot

Office Depot recycles discarded electronics. The store sells three boxes of various sizes for this purpose, ranging in price from $5-15. Fill the box with acceptable items and return the box to an Office Depot store for recycling. Some of the acceptable items include: monitors, fax machines, desktop and laptop computers, printers, cameras, and telephones. See below for more information.

Office Depot Tech Recycling Services

Recycling at Major Retailers

In addition to plastic bags, several of the large stores in our area recycle household items. Look for the kiosks near the entrance or customer service counters.

Home Depot: plastic bags, compact fluorescent light bulbs, rechargeable power tool batteries. This store also offers a lead battery exchange.

Target: plastic bags, MP3 players, ink cartridges, cell phones, and watch batteries.

Lowe's: string lights (Christmas tree lights), batteries, and plastic bags.


Please forward other stores and recycling opportunities to beaconcac@gmail.com.

Scrap Metal Recycling

A.W. Scrap Processors is the place for recycling metals near Beacon. A.W. Scrap is three miles north of I-84, at 1980 Rt. 9D in Wappingers Falls. This facility buys copper, brass, aluminum, steel, iron, junk cars, car batteries, radiators, appliances and more. Call 845-831-1759 for more information.

Mail N Ship Plus Recycles!

In addition to shipping and printing services, Mail N Ship Plus recycles printer cartridges and reuses cellphones. The cellphones are donated to a domestic violence program so victims can make emergency phone calls.

All packing peanuts used in shipping services have been donated. So if you have styrofoam or cornstarch peanuts you don't need, take them to Mail N Ship Plus.


Mail N Ship Plus
323 Main Street
845-231-3469

Household Hazardous Waste Disposal -November

The next day to dispose of household hazardous waste is November 6, 2010, at the Dutchess County Resource Recovery Agency, 96 Sand Dock Road, Poughkeepsie. Registration and a $5 pre-registration fee are required. For more information, including a complete list of acceptable items, call 845-463-6020 or check www.dcrra.org. This is the last disposal day scheduled for 2010.

Medication Disposal - November

The next day to dispose of unused or expired prescription and over-the-counter medication is November 13, 2010, at the Dutchess County Resource Recovery Agency, 96 Sand Dock Road, Poughkeepsie. Unused or expired prescriptions, over-the-counter medication, pills, ointments, lotions, and liquids are accepted in their original packaging. Pet medication is also accepted. Registration is required. For specific instructions, call 845-462-6090. This is the last scheduled disposal day for 2010.