Donation & Recycling Resources
"I have found that among its other benefits,
giving liberates the soul of the giver." ~ Maya
Angelou
Many of these products and services are part of
official affiliate programs which pay a referral
commission to LMOS based on any purchases you make
through these links. However, that is not the reason
I recommend them. I only recommend products and services
that I believe are of high quality, value, and will
benefit you in a tangible way as you improve your home,
office, and life.
The Help Kenya Project
This is a Westchester County, NY
based charity that focuses on helping the children of
Kenya. They collect donations of used computers, books,
clothing, sports equipment, and other supplies and ship
them to Kenyan schools and libraries. In return, they
ask that the recipients plant trees to combat
deforestation and provide children with a place to rest
and play out of the sun.
It’s incredible how valuable the
book or computer you might be throwing out is to a
Kenyan child. By providing Kenya’s students with
science, English, and computer skills, they give them a
much better chance of finding good jobs later in life.
It breaks the cycle of poverty by helping Kenyans to
help themselves. This is a charity that truly leaves a
lasting impact.
National Cristina Foundation
Linking Life to its Promise.
The National Cristina Foundation
is a not-for-profit foundation dedicated to the support of training through
donated technology. For more than two decades, it has encouraged companies and
individuals to donate computers and other technology, which is then matched to
charities, schools and public agencies in all 50 states, Canada, and in many
countries around the world.
 Vietnam
Veterans of America
VVA accepts donations of household
goods and clothing in 30 states in the continental
United States. To make a donation, please refer to the
state map. Identify your area and call the
phone number referenced.
 Tangible
Karma is a donation tracking service that gives you a chance to see the
difference your donated goods can make in the world. At Tangible Karma their
mission is to inspire and motivate you, to transform items that are hindering
your life into valuable gifts that could make a meaningful difference in the
life of another.
 Overseas
Coupon Program Did you know that expired coupons
can be sent to troops stationed overseas and they can
use them for 6 months after the expiration date? If you
find this idea redeeming, go to
OCPNet.org and get the details. It's 100% legal and
each overseas base has a USA address so it is a local
mailing. Save your coupons, even if they are expired to
help out our troops!
 DisposeMyMeds.org is an online resource to help you
to find medication disposal programs at the local
independent community pharmacy near you.
Your local community pharmacist has knowledge to ensure
the safe and proper handling of your medications, from
dispensing to disposal.
Recycle These Items That You Never Thought Of...
Vintage Doorknobs, Radiators, Windows and Mantels
Donate or sell classic architectural elements to salvage
firms or restoration projects. SalvageWeb is an online
ad space that links buyers and sellers all over the
world; here you can buy an Art Deco church chandelier,
or unload a clawfoot tub after renovating your bathroom.
Baltimore-based
Second Chance Inc.
accepts salvage
donations and trains low-income people in the art of
"deconstructing" buildings.
Toothbrushes
Recycline
manufacturers its Preserve toothbrush from Stonyfield
Farm yogurt containers; return each worn-out brush in a
postage-paid envelope and it will be repurposed into
plastic lumber. The
Radius Original Toothbrush
has a handle made of
cellulose, an organic fiber. (Radius also recycles the
handles of its battery-operated model once the battery
runs out.) Or try Eco-Dent's
TerrAdenT
toothbrush, which has a replaceable head, so the handle
can be reused.
Foam Packaging
Lightweight "peanuts" made from expanded polystyrene (EPS) contain 25 to
100 percent recycled material.
The
Plastic Loose Fill Council
has a "Peanut Hotline"
(800-828-2214) you can call to find local recycling
centers, including chain-store shippers such as Pak Mail
and The UPS Store. To recycle large, molded chunks of
EPS used to cushion televisions, air conditioners and
such, contact the Alliance of
Foam Packaging Recyclers.
Sneakers/Tennis Shoes
Nike's
Reuse-a-Shoe
program turns used athletic footwear (no cleats) into a
material called Nike Grind, used to surface playgrounds,
running tracks and outdoor courts. Or send your
still-wearable athletic shoes to
Shoe4Africa,
which forwards them to athletes in developing countries.
Toys
Ask your local shelter for homeless families or battered
women if they accept gently used toys. The Salvation
Army and Vietnam Veterans of America also take used
toys. Adult-appropriate items such as board games can be
sent to troops overseas through
www.AnySoldier.com
Wine Corks
Yemm & Hart,
which produces recycled building materials, turns used
corks into floor and wall tiles. In Canada, the
Bag-a-Cork
program collects wine corks for recycling.
Motor Oil
Recycled motor oil
can find new life as a lubricant or fuel. The American
Petroleum Institute estimates the electricity created
with just 2 gallons of reused motor oil would power the
average home for nearly a day. Preserve used oil in a
clean container with a secure, leakproof lid. You can
recycle the used oil filter, too.
Earth 911
has a list of motor oil recycling centers that's
searchable by ZIP code.
Prom, Bridesmaid and Formal Dresses
Charities like the Glass
Slipper Project
and Operation
Fairy Dust
accept donated
gowns, shoes and purses to provide free prom wear to
low-income teens. Another great resource is
Donate My Dress, which is the first
national network to bring together local dress drive
organizations across the U.S. Books such as "Always
a Bridesmaid: 89 Ways to Recycle That Bridesmaid
Dress" offer tongue-in-cheek recycling advice to
every woman who has a hideous gown buried at the
back of her closet.
Eyeglasses, Frames and Cases
The Lions Club and
Give the Gift of Sight Foundation
collect used eyeglasses
for needy people around the world. Donate your glasses
at one of 17 Lions Clubs recycling centers, or at chains
such as Pearle Vision Center, LensCrafters and Sunglass
Hut.
 Computers, Cell-Phones and Other E-Waste
The EPA maintains a
list of charities that accept used electronic equipment.
Staples, Office Depot and Best Buy offer in-store
e-waste recycling -- Best Buy also recycles used
appliances. Dell, Toshiba and Sony lead the way in
recycling computer products. Donate cell phones to
organizations like
The Wireless Foundation
or
Collective Good.
Ship old videotapes and
DVDs to
Ecodisk or
Greendisk.
And MyGreenElectronics.org
connects you with e-waste recyclers in your area.
Radio Shack Electronics Trade-In Program
Have electronics to trade-in? Use Radio Shack's
Trade-In Program!
You go online to http://www.radioshack.com/tradeandsave and
indicate what items you wish to trade. Items
must be in working condition. The site will
determine the trade-in value of your items and
create a pre-paid shipping label for you. You
print off the shipping label, affix it to a box,
pack your items and mail it to Radio Shack free
of charge. When they receive it, they will mail
you a Radio Shack gift card.
Electronics
Electronics improve the way we live, work and
play. But, there's one place where electronics should
have no impact -- the environment. Through responsible
use, reuse and recycling of electronics, the consumer
electronics industry and consumers can protect and
preserve the environment -- together. Many organizations
offer free recycling of used electronics, so it's easy
to be green. Check out the following sites, which offer
ways to sell or recycle your used electronics.
http://www.Gazelle.com
http://www.Venjuvo.com
http://www.MyBoneyard.com
http://www.MyGreenElectronics.com
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Lisa
helped me declutter and organize so that I had more
