Monday, October 26, 2009

Can you recycle glass air freshener bottles?

Montgomery County accepts food grade glass bottles and jars for recycling. Glass air freshener bottles are not recycled in the curbside recycling program.

Do not recycle glass items such as: drinking glasses, ceramic plates, glass cooking ware, and wine glasses. These items can be sold at yard sales or donated.

Wondering what do with broken glass? Place any broken glass in a paper bag and dispose of it in the trash.

From the Fall 2009 issue of the Recycletter, our newsletter for our Recycling Volunteers.

Thursday, October 22, 2009

What happens to bikes you recycle?

recycled bikes collected at the Shady Grove Solid Waste Transfer Station

What happens to the bicycles you set out for curbside scrap metal recycling, or add to the scrap metal pile at the Shady Grove Transfer Station?

Our staff sorts through the bikes, setting aside those which are in good condition. We partner with Bikes for the World, a sponsored project of the Washington Area Bicyclist Association, to put as many bikes as possible back into use. Bikes in damaged or rusty condition are recycled as scrap metal.

And what is the next step for bikes collected by Bikes for the World? Through selected non-profit agencies near and far, they become transportation for people who use them to get to work or school.

In honor of the International Day of Climate Action, Bikes for the World has set a goal of collecting and shipping 350 bikes at its collection events this weekend. Two of its events will be in Montgomery County:

  • Saturday, October 24, 2009, 9 am – 12 noon
    St. Paul’s Catholic Community,
    at the Community Gazebo, corner Rt. 108 and Rt. 124,
    Damascus MD 20872
  • Sunday, October 25, 2009, 10 am – 2 pm
    Congregation Beth El,
    8215 Old Georgetown Road,
    Bethesda MD 20814

In addition to bicycles, Bikes for the World also accepts bike-related items, sewing machines, and cell phones.

Four paper shredding and clothing/household donation events on November 14 + 15, 2009

We are celebrating America Recycles Day four times: in four locations over two days!

Join us in Germantown and Silver Spring on November 14, 2009, and in Bethesda and Silver Spring on November 15, 2009. Each site will feature a community paper shred and clothing/household goods donation drop-off.

Paper shredding and recycling is available at no charge to Montgomery County residents only, with a 5 bag/small box limit. Your materials will be shredded on-site.

The usable clothing/household item donation drop-off will benefit four local charities. Accepted items will include clean clothing, miscellaneous household goods, small electronics, books, furniture, and much more. Receipts available upon request.