Guide to Waste Management Options and Alternatives

Guide to Waste Management Options and Alternatives Provided by the Kent County Department of Public Works Resource Recovery Program Revised 2006 Keep in the Know INTRODUCTION KENT COUNTY’S GUIDE TO WASTE MANAGEMENT OPTIONS & ALTERNATIVES The primary intent of this resource guide is to assist area residents and businesses in locating resources that provide information and opportunities to reduce waste by maximizing reuse and recycling alternatives. Another function of this guide is to inform residents of safer disposal alternatives for some potentially dangerous substances often found in our homes. Once armed with sufficient information and options most people will do the right thing, environmentally speaking. The goal of this resource guide is to assist those who choose to make the extra effort and work toward a clean, safe environment. Every attempt was made to make this an easy to follow guide. The general category index is in alphabetical order with cross-referencing to avoid duplication of information. Also, please call prior to using the resources offered to confirm business and/or organization hours, services, and location. Our intent was to make this guide accurate and complete. However, information, resources, and programs may have changed or unknowingly omitted. If you are aware of additional organizations, businesses, programs, resources, or would like to suggest topics to add, please contact our office. We aim to periodically update this directory and any assistance would be greatly appreciated. Please contact the: Kent County Department of Public Works Resource Recovery Program 1500 Scribner Ave N.W. Grand Rapids, MI 49504 Phone: 616-336-2570 or 1-888-217-2850 The Kent County Board of Public Works and the Kent County Department of Public Works – Resource Recovery Program does not endorse or make any warranty, express or implied, of the services or quality of services or products of any particular company or organization listed in this guide. No statement is being made regarding compliance with applicable federal and state environmental laws for the companies and organizations listed in this guide. CONTENTS GENERAL CATEGORY LISTINGS -INDEX INTRODUCTION - TURNING WASTE PROBLEMS INTO SOLUTIONS THE THREE Rs- REDUCE, REUSE, RECYCLE AND YOU IMPORTANT RESOURCES & ORGANIZATIONS WEB PAGES OF INTEREST CREDITS Kent County’s Guide to Waste Management Options and Alternatives is a publication of the: Resource Recovery Program Kent County Department of Public Works 1500 Scribner NW Grand Rapids, MI 49504 Phone: 616-336-2570 http://www.kentcounty.org/YourGovernment/PublicWorks/pdfs/DPW_2004_Guide.pdf —————————————————————————————————–Director, Department of Public Works Curt Kemppainen Editors Director, Solid Waste Operations Douglas G. Wood Manager of Materials Recovery & Recycling Dennis Kmiecik Resource Recovery Staff Kathy Babins; Resource Recovery Specialist Leslie Blessing; Resource Recovery Specialist Graphics, layout, production and design Leslie Blessing GENERAL CATEGORY INDEX PAGE ANTIFREEZE RECYCLING 1 APARTMENT DWELLING AND RECYCLING 14 APPLIANCE RECYCLING AND/OR REUSE 2 ASBESTOS 3 BATTERIES- household 4-6 BATTERIES - car 9 BOOKS 7 BUILDING SUPPLIES- home improvement, tools, reuse and recycling 8 CAR RECYCLING– end of life proper recycling options 30 CARDBOARD RECYCLING- also see paper recycling 27 CARPET, COMPACT DISCS AND REDUCING YOUR WASTE STREAM 7 CELLULAR PHONES 9 CHRISTMAS TREE RECYCLING 9 COMPOSTING INFORMATION & YARD WASTE SITES 10-11 COMPUTERS, CONSUMER ELECTRONICS, COPY & PRINT MACHINE SUPPLIES 12-13 CONCRETE & ASPHALT RECYCLING 13 CURBSIDE RECYCLING SERVICES, WASTE HAULING SERVICES 14 ELECTRONICS - see appliance recycling/reuse, computer recycling, etc. 2,12,13,19 EXPLOSIVES- (includes ammunition, dynamite, etc.) 15 FIRE EXTINGUISHERS 15 FLOURESCENT LIGHT TUBES/BULBS 22 FUEL TANKS- also see propane tank recycling 16 GLASS RECYCLING 16 HOUSEHOLD HAZARDOUS WASTE (HHW) - includes oil-based paints, pesticides, gasoline, cleaners etc. 17-18 LANDFILLS & TRANSFER STATIONS 19 LAWN CARE- see composting information & yard waste sites 10-11 LUMBER -wood & plastic reuse and recycling - also see building supplies 21 LIGHT BULBS- fluorescent tubes 22 MAGAZINES- also see paper recycling 22 MEDICAL WASTE 23 MERCURY- (fever thermometers, thermostats, elemental bulk mercury) 24 METAL -(SCRAP) also see appliance recycling and/or reuse 24 MOTOR OIL RECYCLING 25-26 NEWSPAPER RECYCLING- see paper recycling 27 PACKING MATERIAL-PLASTIC PEANUTS- see plastic recycling 29 PAINT AND PAINT PRODUCTS- see building supplies and/or HHW 8,17-18 PAPER RECYCLING - often includes magazines, newspapers 27 PESTICIDES- see household hazardous waste 17-18 PHONE BOOK RECYCLING 28 PLASTIC RECYCLING 29 PROPANE TANK SERVICE & RECYCLING- also see fuel tanks 28 RECYCLING FACILITIES FOR RESIDENCES AND BUSINESSES 31 SMOKE DETECTORS 32 THERMOSTATS (non-digital, containing mercury)- see mercury 24 TIRE RECYCLING 32 TONER CARTRIDGES & RIBBONS- see computer, copy machines 12-13 TOOL RECYCLING- see building supplies, home improvement 8 VINYL AND ALUMINUM SIDING RECYCLING- also see building supplies 33 WASTE-TO-ENERGY/DISTRICT HEATING & COOLING OPERATION 20 WASTE HAULERS- see curbside recycling services 14 WOOD RECYCLING- see lumber and building supplies, wood alternatives 8,21 YARD WASTE- see composting 10-11 KENT COUNTY WASTE MANAGEMENT OPTIONS AND ALTERNATIVES TURNING WASTE PROBLEMS INTO SOLUTIONS As you page through this guide please keep in mind that many different segments in Kent County are making smart solid waste decisions and offering alternative services to the entire county. Even though we give out no specific recycling awards, many companies and businesses continue to offer wonderful and innovative programs and options that should be winning awards in the hearts of county residents. In Kent County waste management options and alternatives continue to be a countywide effort with many segments of the county solving our waste problems. Well over 100 businesses, groups, organizations, government offices and agencies join together with thousands of county residents to help turn waste problems into solutions and new opportunities. One segment of our community cannot address all of the waste and pollution problems alone. It is hoped that the type of community involvement demonstrated in the past will continue and encourage an even broader segment of Kent County to become involved in the solution to our waste problems and add waste reduction and recycling opportunities to Kent County. Be part of the solution and find ways to reduce, reuse and recycle whenever possible. REDUCE, REUSE, RECYCLE and YOU ! The “throw away society” is more than just a catch phrase. It’s an addiction. We are all “hooked” on convenience and easy disposal; from razors, pens and batteries, to juice boxes, pudding cups and microwave dinners. It is amazing how easy it is to ignore reusable and recyclable options when we are continually presented with advertisements and promotions of seemingly plentiful new and improved, time saving goods. Reduce, Reuse and Recycle - the three R’s - are waste options that we have on a daily basis, it’s a matter of breaking our trash habit. Waste reduction involves reducing the quantity of your garbage or its toxicity. When buying a product, avoid the disposable versions and look for ones that will last longer and are readily recyclable or even biodegradable. Buying items with less packaging, buying concentrates, items in larger sizes or bulk all help reduce the amount of waste you throw out. Finding substitute products for those containing or producing hazards (see Household Hazardous Waste on page 17-18); for example, using rechargeable batteries, reduces the toxicity of our waste. It’s not garbage until you throw it out. Finding more ways to use items means less garbage. Reuse means taking items we would normally throw away and using the product again, for example, using coffee cans to hold nuts and bolts; reusing your grocery sacks at the supermarket; sharing magazines with friends or family instead of subscribing individually; donations of furniture, clothing, etc. to charities or consignment shops are all methods we can employ for reuse. Recycling means removal of useful materials from the waste stream and using these materials in the manufacturing of a new product. Over the years what can and cannot be recycled has changed and today a larger variety of material is accepted than ever before. Recycling is now easier than ever because most people have access to curbside recycling services through their waste hauler. It’s simple, convenient and generally only has a nominal charge per month. Paper, glass, metal, and plastic bottles are the general materials accepted for recycling at the curb. Make sure you get a list from your hauler on the specific items accepted for recycling through your pick up service. Acceptable items vary from hauler to hauler depending on which recycle facility the hauler brings the material to for processing. Last but not least, as a consumer it is essential that you ask for and buy recycled products whenever possible. Otherwise, all the materials you so carefully cleaned, sorted and prepared, won’t mean a thing, since manufacturers won’t create a product from recycled materials if there is no consumer demand for such products. It is our hope this directory will make it easier for you to REDUCE, REUSE and RECYCLE. IMPORTANT RESOURCES & ORGANIZATIONS Who do you call for information on finding out what “dispose of properly” means in your area? This section of the directory lists government offices, environmental groups, organizations and educational resources that may have answers and can help you do the “right thing” environmentally speaking. The following list of organizations and resources should be able to help get you going in the right direction. Government Offices Kent County Department of Public WorksResource Recovery Phone: 616-336-2570 or 888-217-2850 Allegan County Programs Phone: 269-686-4562 Barry/Eaton County Programs Phone: 269-945-9516 ext. 5 Ionia County Programs Phone: 616-527-8219 Montcalm County Programs Phone: 989-831-7500 Muskegon County Programs Phone: 231-724-6411 Newaygo County Programs Phone: 231-689-7225 Ottawa County Programs Phone: 616-393-5638 or 662-3100 ext. 5638 or 846-8295 ext. 5638 Michigan Department of Environmental Quality - (DEQ) 350 Ottawa Phone: 616-356-0500 (local office in Grand Rapids) DEQ Environmental Assistance Center Phone: 1-800-662-9278 Environmental Organizations & Groups West Michigan Environmental Action Council (WMEAC) 1514 Wealthy SE Suite 280 Grand Rapids, MI 49506 Phone: 616-451-3051 Grand Rapids Chamber of Commerce Environmental Affairs Committee 111 Pearl St. NW Grand Rapids, MI 49503 Phone: 616-771-0300 Michigan Recycling Coalition (MRC) 3225 W. St. Joseph Lansing, MI 48917 Phone: 517-327-9207 Michigan Environmental Council (MEC) 119 Pere Marquette Dr. Suite 2A Lansing, MI 48912 Phone: 517-487-9539 West Michigan Air & Waste Management Association for business information only: P.O. Box 465 Ada, MI 49301 or call Janet Vail at 616-331-3048 Environmental Education - Resources & Information Center for Environmental Study 528 Bridge St. NW Grand Rapids, MI 49504 Phone: 616-988-2854 Howard Christensen Nature Center 16160 Red Pine Dr. Kent City, MI 49330 Phone: 616-887-1852 Michigan United Conservation Clubs (MUCC) P.O. Box 30235 Lansing, MI 48909-7735 (information on the WISE program- Waste Information Series for Education) Phone 517-371-1041 Grand Valley State University Robert B. Annis Water Resources Institute 740 West Shoreline Drive Muskegon, MI 49441 Phone: 616-331-3749 WEB PAGES OF INTEREST Government Offices KENT COUNTY; DEPT. OF PUBLIC WORKS; www.kentcounty.org/ YourGovernment/PublicWorks ALLEGAN COUNTY; www.allegancounty.org MICHIGAN DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY and the DEQENVIRONMENTAL ASSISTANCE CENTER; www.michigan.gov/deq MUSKEGON COUNTY; www.co.muskegon.mi.us/publicworks/ OTTAWA COUNTY; www.co.ottawa.mi.us Environmental Organizations & Groups AIR & WASTE MANAGEMENT ASSOCIATION; www.wmawma.org GRAND RAPIDS AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE - Environmental Affairs Committee; www.grandrapids.org/public-policy/eac.cfm MICHIGAN ENVIRONMENTAL COUNCIL; www.mecprotects.org MICHIGAN RECYCLING COALITION; www.michiganrecycles.org WEST MICHIGAN ENVIRONMENTAL ACTION CENTER; www.wmeac.org Environmental Education CENTER FOR ENVIRONMENTAL STUDY; www.cesmi.org ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION ADVOCACY COUNCIL; www.kentisd.k12.mi.us/hcnc GVSU WATER RESOURCES INSTITUTE; www.gvsu.edu/wri MICHIGAN UNITED CONSERVATION CLUBS; www.mucc.org GENERAL CATEGORY LISTINGS AUTOZONE - www.autozone.com (Pg. 24 oil recycling) COMPRENEW - www.comprenew.com (Pgs. 11-12 computers) CRYSTAL FLASH - www.crystalflash.com (Pgs. 15 fuel tanks, 25 oil recycling & 29 propane) ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH RESOURCES - www.ehrinc.com (Pg. 3) NUWOOL INSULATION - www.nuwool.com (Pgs. 21, 26 & 27 magazines, paper & phone books) ANTIFREEZE Antifreeze can be absorbed through the skin in toxic amounts and can be harmful or fatal if swallowed. Ingestion can cause liver and kidney damage. It is especially dangerous to children, pets and wildlife because they are attracted by its sweet taste, therefore antifreeze should never be dumped on the ground. Ethylene glycol, a thick colorless fluid derived from the cracking of petroleum is the main ingredient in antifreeze. The safer brands of antifreeze currently available consist of propylene glycol, which can still cause poisoning and death, it simply requires a greater amount of ingestion. We are fortunate to have safe disposal/recycling options in our area. Please utilize one of the following options in disposing of antifreeze. Kent County’s Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) Program The Kent County Department of Public Works holds HHW collections yearround and will accept antifreeze (as well as many other hazardous waste from your home) from county residents. Call 336-2570 or 1-888-217-2850 for program information and to make an appointment. This free program is not available to businesses. Crystal Flash (CF) Petroleum- offers antifreeze disposal-recycling and a variety of hazardous and non-hazardous waste hauling services to commercial and industrial operations. CF also maintains a self service oil recycling site at their service station for individuals (do-it-yourselfers). See page 25 for their locations in Kent County. Recycling Fluid Technologies– is a supplier of antifreeze for commercial and industrial businesses and will pick up used antifreeze which will be recycled. For details on costs and specifics for service call: 1-800-474-4947 or 269-629-9680. Service area includes all of lower Michigan. 1 APPLIANCE REUSE / RECYCLING / DISPOSAL OPTIONS One person’s trash is often another person’s treasure. This is especially true when the “trash” is a working or repairable appliance. Instead of just “junking” your unwanted appliance consider some alternate options. CHARITIES & SOCIAL SERVICE ORGANIZATIONS often have waiting lists for families in need of working appliances like refrigerators and stoves. Review the list of social service organizations listed in the yellow page directory of your phone for ideas on places to contact. The United Way’s First Call for Help (Ph: 616-459-2255 or dial: 211) would be a good place to inquire about organizations that maintain appliance waiting list. Also the North Kent Service Center at 520 Northland Dr. NE (Ph: 866-3478) is interested in donations of working appliances. USED APPLIANCE DEALERS (look under appliance sales-used in Yellow Pages) may be interested in your old washers, dryers, stoves, refrigerators, and even smaller items like toasters and microwaves. They may also be interested in non-working appliances which can be of value for their usable parts. These second-hand dealers may even offer a free pick-up service depending on the condition and type of appliance. UTILITY COMPANIES may be another source of information and sometimes sponsor special programs that assist customers in being more energy efficient by helping to dispose of old energy eating appliances. Contact your utility company to determine if any service or special program is available. SCRAP METAL DEALERS will accept most appliances. There may be a charge for refrigerators or freezers that contain a coolant that must be removed. There may also be a charge for picking up appliances. Most scrap metal companies accept any amount of metal but only pay you for metals once you reach a minimum number of pounds (generally 200 pounds). This option is the most advantageous for people who have several appliances to dispose of and can provide their own transportation to the scrap metal dealer. See scrap metals for dealers listed on page 24. LANDFILLING is the last option. Most waste haulers and landfills charge a flat rate per appliance ($20/appliance at the South Kent Landfill & North Kent Transfer Station). Appliances are diverted to a scrap metal dealer and generally not buried in a landfill. Whatever option you decide on please remember to NEVER, NEVER LEAVE APPLIANCE DOORS (ESPECIALLY REFRIGERATORS AND FREEZERS) IN PLACE. ALWAYS REMOVE THE DOORS COMPLETELY BEFORE YOU PLACE THE APPLIANCE INSIDE OR OUTSIDE - WHERE CHILDREN MIGHT BE. IT ONLY TAKES MINUTES FOR A CHILD TO SUFFOCATE IN A CLOSED REFRIGERATOR OR FREEZER. 2 ASBESTOS Asbestos is a mineral fiber found in rocks, and has fire-resistant properties. Therefore, it was used in a variety of products to help aid in fire protection. But in the 1970's companies began phasing it out because of health concerns. In 1973, the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) prohibited the spraying of asbestos-containing materials for insulation, fire protection, and soundproofing. In 1975, EPA prohibited the use of asbestos for pipe covering if the material easily crumbled after drying. In 1977, the CPSC (Consumer Product Safety Commission) banned two asbestos containing products: patching compounds and artificial fireplace emberizing materials (ash and embers) containing respirable asbestos. The EPA banned most remaining uses of it in 1989. If you need to remove asbestos from your home get all the information and assistance possible before you begin and follow all safety advisories. For information on asbestos contact the MI Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ): James W. DeLiefde, the Health and Safety Manager, or George E. Howard at 1-517-322-1320. To test for asbestos contact: (a fee is charged for this service) Environmental Health Resources Material Testing Consultants 2930 Three Mile Rd. 693 Plymouth NE Grand Rapids, MI 49544 OR Grand Rapids, MI 49505 616-735-1515 616-456-5469 Landfills licensed to accept asbestos for disposal Autumn Hills Recycling & Disposal Facility 700 56th Ave. Zeeland, MI 49464 Ph: 616-688-5777 Contact James Laninga for rates and information on how to transport material. They accept asbestos from individuals and contractors. Pitsch Sanitary Landfill 7905 Johnson Belding, MI 48809 Ph: 616-794-3050 or 285-4646 Contact Bruce Monroe for rates and information on how to transport material. They accept asbestos from individuals and contractors. Central Landfill 21545 Cannonsville Rd. Pierson, MI 49339 Phone: 616-636-4096 Contact Todd Harland for rates and information on how to transport material. They accept asbestos from contractors only. Ottawa County Farms 15550 68th Ave. Coopersville, MI 49404 Phone: 616-837-8195 Contact Tom Moore for rates and information how to transport material. They accept non-friable asbestos from individuals, and other types from contractors. 3 HOUSEHOLD BATTERIES- RECYCLING OPTIONS Option one - curbside recycling If you participate in a curbside recycling program check with your waste hauler/ recycler to see if household batteries are collected in your program. Also ask if there are any household batteries that are not acceptable. The companies generally will ask that you place your batteries in a zip-lock bag before you place them in your recycling bin or bag. Option two - utilize a battery recycling drop-off site If you are unable to recycle your batteries at the curb you can utilize one of the many (currently 49 locations) battery recycling drop-off sites maintained by the Kent County Department of Public Works. In general, the types of household batteries you can drop off include; dry cell, alkaline and rechargeable batteries from radios, cassette recorders, toys, cameras/flash units, flashlights, clocks, lanterns, smoke detectors, calculators; and button cell batteries from hearing aids, computers, pocket calculators, watches and cameras. Please see the following list of the available drop off locations below. Collection containers are set up inside the locations. KENTWOOD City Center 4900 Breton Ave. SE (616) 698-9610 Kentwood Library 4700 Kalamazoo Ave. SE (616) 647-3910 Batteries Plus 3500 28th St SE (616) 575-0500 GRANDVILLE Grandville Library 4055 Maple Street SW (616) 647-3890 Grandville United Methodist Church 4055 Maple St. SW (616) 538-3070 Batteries Plus 4485 Canal Ave. SW (616) 988-5515 Industrial Battery Warehouse 2969 Chicago Drive (616) 530-8918 Continued on next page WALKER Walker Public Works 4243 Remembrance N.W. (616) 791-6854 Family Fare Pharmacy 2755 Lake Michigan Dr. NW (616) 791-4777 WYOMING St. Dominic's Church 50 Bellevue SW (616) 531-1480 Wyoming Park Pharmacy 2301 Lee St. SW (616) 532-2361 Dave’s Batteries 3640 Clyde Park SW (616) 534-1142 Mark’s Photo & Video Inc. 3822 S. Division (616) 534-8688 4 GRAND RAPIDS - NORTHEAST Kent County Health Department (Environmental Health Division) 700 Fuller Ave NE - 2nd Floor (616) 632-6900 Yankee Clipper Library 2025 Leonard NE (616) 988-5415 Main Library 111 Library St. NE (616) 988-5400 First United Methodist Church 227 East Fulton (616) 451-2879 Van Belkum Branch at Creston Library 1563 Plainfield Ave. NE (616) 988-5410 GRAND RAPIDS - SOUTHWEST Arden's Photo 1000 W. Fulton (616) 456-7881 Kent County Materials Recovery/Recycling Facility (MRF) 322 Bartlett St. SW (616) 336-4360 GRAND RAPIDS - SOUTHEAST Camera Center 1533 Wealthy SE (in Eastown) (616) 458-7703 Alger Hardware & Rental 2408 Eastern SE (616) 243-9730 Zandee Auto Repair 1205 Burton SE (616) 245-8158 Calvin College Maintenance Building McDonald Audiology & Hearing 961 Four Mile NW (616) 784-6299 continued GRAND RAPIDS SOUTHEAST Interstate Battery 3251 Eastern Ave. SE (616) 243-9110 Certified Vacuum & Appliance 1322 28th St. SE (616) 243-7969 Ada Township Hall 7330 Thornapple River Dr. SE (616) 676-9191 GRAND RAPIDS - NORTHWEST City Hall (Monroe Level) 300 Monroe NW (616) 456-3000 Kent Co. Pub. Service Center (inside Kent Co. Road Commission) 1500 Scribner Ave. NW (616) 336-3694 West Side Branch Library 713 Bridge NW (616) 988-5414 John Ball Park Comm. Assoc. 71 Richards Ave. NW (616) 451-3121 Note: Library and business days and hours of operation vary. Please check with the listed collection site for its schedule before dropping off batteries. Continued on next page 5 Kent District Library Battery Recycling Drop-off Sites Please note that library days and hours of operation vary. Be sure to check their schedule prior to dropping off batteries. Alpine Library 5255 Alpine Ave NW Comstock Park 49321 (616) 647-3810 Alto Branch 6071 Linfield Ave. Alto 49302 (616) 647-3820 Byron Township Branch 8191 Byron Center Ave. Byron Center 49315 (616) 647-3830 Cascade Township Library 2870 Jacksmith Ave. SE Grand Rapids 49546 (616) 647-3850 Comstock Park Branch 3943 West River Dr. NE Comstock Park 49321 (616) 647-3860 East Grand Rapids Library 746 Lakeside SE East Grand Rapids 49506 (616) 647-3880 Englehardt Branch (Lowell) 200 N. Monroe Lowell 49331 (616) 647-3920 Gaines Township Branch 421 68th St. SE Grand Rapids 49848 (616) 647-3870 Krause Memorial Branch (Rockford) 140 E. Bridge St. Rockford 49341 (616) 647-3940 Plainfield Branch 2650 5 Mile Rd. NE Grand Rapids 49525 (616) 647-3930 Sand Lake Branch 2 Maple St. Sand Lake 49343 (616) 636-4251 Spencer Township Branch 14960 Meddler Ave. Gowen 49326 (616) 984-5680 Walker Branch 4293 Remembrance Rd. NW Walker 49544 (616) 647-3970 6 BOOKS More options are available for getting rid of your gently used books without adding to the landfill since the libraries informed us of their willingness to take old books. Try the following options and also consult your phone directory’s yellow pages for additional possibilities: Your local library accepts donated books. Please call them for more information. Note that some of their phone numbers are listed under battery recycling. Goodwill Industries & Salvation Army accepts donated books. No textbooks will be accepted at Goodwill; no old, musty or dirty books should be donated. The Kent County Jail will accept donated paperback books (no hard cover or text books). For more information contact Robert Steele at 616-632-6379. Brian’s Books 10383 42nd Ave., Allendale, MI 49401 Phone: 616-892-4170 Note: accepts college text books only - call for details. CARPET, COMPACT DISCS, AND MORE By doing a little bit of research on the internet, options to recycle carpet and compact disks (as well as VHS tapes and other media) become abundant. It looks like it has become a popular option across the country, and now your out-dated products can be used to make new popular items. Use an internet connection to search under ‘compact disk recycling’ or ‘carpet recycling’ to find out how to reduce your own waste stream. Options for better waste management are there, we all just have to care enough to research and use them wisely. See what else you can find recycling options for, and pass on the information! 7 BUILDING SUPPLIES & HOME IMPROVEMENT MATERIALS Construction materials that others may want to use for home improvements include shingles, carpet, cabinets, sinks, toilets, light fixtures, counter tops, hinges, handles, interior doors, windows, reusable quantities of paint, storm windows, and miscellaneous hardware and tools. Before you discard these possible resources, consider the options available for reuse and recycling. Home Repair Services is a nonprofit organization which assists low-income home owners to maintain and improve their homes. One of their programs is Builders’ Abundance which provides surplus building materials at a lower cost to low-income homeowners and nonprofit organizations serving people in need. Builders’ Abundance gives businesses and residents an opportunity to contribute reusable materials such as excess inventory and slightly damaged, mis-measured or out-of-style materials rather than dispose of these items in a landfill. For more information, call Home Repair Services at 616-241-2601, or visit their store at 1100 South Division in Grand Rapids. Pitsch Companies operate a salvage store open to the public, located at 675 Richmond in Grand Rapids. Please call 616-363-4895 for information about this store. Habitat ReStore just opened offering construction materials for reuse to the public to help fund the Habitat for Humanity housing program. They accept for donation and sell reusable materials such as lumber, trim, stain and other reusable, mostly full cans of paint, windows, doors, appliances that still work and furniture. Call at 616-531-4591 or visit the store at 5701 S. Division in Grand Rapids, or on the internet at www.habitatkent.org for more information. Again, remember there is no use throwing it away if it can still be used! Additional options: Neighborhood Associations- consult the your phone directory’s yellow pages for listings under community organizations and the city you live in to ask about any clean-up programs that accept donations of building supplies. Many neighborhood associations organize painting programs to clean up the neighborhood and paint over graffiti. Theater groups- may be interested in donations of paint for scenery (and old clothing for costumes). 8 CAR BATTERIES Wherever you buy a car battery, you may now also turn in your old car battery at the time of the purchase. If you are not purchasing a car battery but have old car batteries you would like to dispose, please take it to one of the following businesses for recycling. Be sure to call ahead and verify business hours, location, and specifics about their battery recycling service. Dave’s Inc. 3640 Clyde Park SW Wyoming, MI 49509 Phone: 616-534-1142 A-1 Electric 1813 Turner NW Grand Rapids, MI 49504 Phone: 616-361-0934 Interstate Batteries of Grand Rapids 3251 Eastern SE Wyoming, MI 49508 Phone: 243-9110 AutoZone stores (see pg. 25) CHRISTMAS TREE RECYCLING Curb your urban tumbleweeds and take advantage of the numerous Christmas tree recycling programs available in our area. Check with your city or township office - many local municipalities now operate Christmas tree recycling programs, usually setting up drop off sites in mid to late January each year. Also be sure and ask about special services that may be available for seniors and handicapped residents. CELLULAR PHONES When it is time to dispose of your cell phone, there are options to put your old phone to a good use, or at least get rid of it properly. Verizon Wireless are two companies that take any cellular phone and accessories at their retail outlets. Please ask your wireless dealer, and if they do not accept their old phones back, then consider taking your phone to one of the above dealers, or check on the internet for options like at the internet site: www.recyclewirelessphones.com 9 COMPOSTING YARD WASTE - WHAT ARE THE OPTIONS? The Michigan Legislature passed two important Public Acts (PA) in 1990 which are now in full effect. PA 267 bans the burning of yard waste in all communities with a population of 7,500 or more, unless specifically authorized by local ordinance. You should contact your city or township offices to determine if yard waste can be burned in your community. Also be sure to ask if any yard waste services/drop off sites exist, or are being planned for in your city, village, or township. PA 264 bans yard waste (compost material) from landfills and incinerators. PA 264 defines compost material or yard waste as leaves, grass clippings, vegetable or other garden debris, shrubbery, brush, or tree trimming less than 4 feet in length and 2 inches in diameter, that can be converted to compost humus. It does not include stumps, agricultural wastes, animal waste, roots, sewage sludge, or garbage. The idea behind the acts was to promote clean air in the more populated areas of the state and to save useful compost material from ending up in the garbage. Good ideas! But what do you do with your yard waste? There are three options; if you are the do-it-yourself type, you can set up a backyard composting bin; or you can load up a vehicle and take your yard waste to a compost site; or you can hire a yard waste service, generally through your waste hauler. FOR INFORMATION ON BACKYARD COMPOSTING AND COMPOST BUSINESSES CONTACT: Kent County-MSU Cooperative Ext. Service 836 Fuller NE Grand Rapids, MI 49503 Phone: 616-336-3881 Master Gardener line or the general assistance number 336-3265. In addition to composting information, you may also obtain info on soil testing, mowing and mulching tips, “grasscycling”, and fertilizer advice. ************************************************************************ West Michigan Environmental Action Council (WMEAC) 1514 Wealthy SE, Suite 280 Grand Rapids, MI 49506 Phone: 616-451-3051 Maintains a library of environmental topics and resources ************************************************************************ Kent County Department of Public Works - Resource Recovery 1500 Scribner NW Grand Rapids, MI 49504 Phone: 616-336-2570 or 336-3695 ************************************************************************ Also be sure to check your local bookstores, public libraries, your phone directory yellow pages and the Internet for additional composting sites and how to set up and maintain your own back-yard compost pile. 10 10 LOCATIONS WHERE YARD WASTE MAY BE TAKEN: In addition to the locations listed below, be sure to also check your phone directory yellow pages or your city, township or village office for any sites that may be in your area. Autumn Hills Recycling & Disposal Facility - in conjunction with Compost Soil Technologies 700 56th Ave. Zeeland, MI 49464 Phone: 888-688-5777 for hours of operation, costs and instructions on preparing the material. Yard waste must go through the Autumn Hills Facility. Compost Soil Technologies handles the composting for Autumn Hills. Businesses and individuals may purchase compost to use as a soil additive, mulch, potting soil component or for landscaping purposes from Compost Soil Technologies located at 5204 Adams, Zeeland, MI Phone: 616-688-5575. Big Chipper 764 Wealthy SW Grand Rapids, MI 49503 10200 Pease Ave. Byron Center, MI 49315 Phone: 616-456-5401 Call for hours of operation, costs and instructions how to prepare the material. They also sell prepared composted materials such as mulch and shredded bark. OR Green Rock Landscape Supply 9860 14 Mile Rd. NE (M57) Rockford, MI 49341 Phone: 616-754-4684 for hours of operation, costs and instructions on preparing the material. I.B. Composting Ivan & Bernice Berens 10501 Fillmore Zeeland, MI 49464 Phone: 616-895-6743 for hours of operation, costs and instructions on preparing the material. They also sell composted soils at this location. Pettis and Associates 1200 Pettis Ave. Ada, MI 49301 Phone: 616-676-4021 for hours of operation, costs and instructions how to prepare the material. Phoenix Resources 10313 Morse Lake Ave. Alto, MI 49302 Phone: 616-891-9110 for hours of operation, costs and instructions on preparing the material. 11 COMPUTERS & CONSUMER ELECTRONICS Kent County has a computer and small electronics recycling program to help divert some of the potentially hazardous substances within electronics like lead and other heavy metals from the landfills. All residents, schools and municipal offices are encouraged to participate. Schools and municipal offices need to contact the Department of Public Works directly at (616) 336-4369. Individuals can drop off items at the following Kent County Department of Public Works sites during normal business hours. North Kent Recycle & Transfer Station- 2908 Ten Mile Rd. Rockford, Mon-Sat: 7:30am - 5pm South Kent Landfill- 300 100th St., Byron Center, Mon-Fri 7:30am - 5pm Sat 7:30am-3:30pm Recycle Facility - 322 Bartlett SW, downtown Grand Rapids, Mon-Fri 8am-4:30pm Individuals may also drop off working or non-working acceptable electronics (see this qualifying list below) at the following businesses and Goodwill locations in the greater Grand Rapids area: Retail & Donation Centers Donation Sheds 740 28th St. SW (2 blocks west of U.S. 131) 2850 28th St. SE (Kentwood) 5452 S. Division (Kentwood) 200 S. Division (at Cherry) 3630 Plainfield NE 5371 Alpine Ave. NW 538-7070 975-4196 534-1123 451-2606 364-6983 647-9770 THIS PROGRAM ACCEPTS THE FOLLOWING CONSUMER ELECTRONICS Computer with attachments, (keyboard, mouse, etc.) Monitor Printer Plotter Fax Machine Scanner VCR DVD Audio Equipment Video Game Machine (play-station, game-boy, etc.) Televisions 12 COMPUTER - COPY & PRINT MACHINE RECYCLED PARTS, COMPONENTS & SUPPLIES An increasing number of businesses are offering recycled/refurbished computer and printer supplies. Please contact the following companies for information on the recycled parts and components they offer. These companies also take the items in parentheses for recycling. Brim Computers 1261 Leonard St. NE (Leonard-Fuller Plaza) Grand Rapids, MI 49505 Phone: 616-459-8766 (IBM compatible parts) COMPRENEW 8195 Graphic Industrial Dr. Belmont, MI 49306 Phone: 616-866-3100 (almost all computer parts) Laser’s Resource Inc. 4770 Fiftieth St. Kentwood, MI 49512 Phone: 616-554-5555 (Inkjet and Toner Cartridges) Valley City Environmental Services 1040 Market Ave. Grand Rapids, MI 49503 Phone: 616-235-1500 (Contact Dave Perry for more information, takes TVs and computer components.) Also consult the Yellow Pages under “computers” for additional businesses. For more business computer recycling opportunities, please look on the internet for information: 1. www.classiccomputerrecovery.com 2. www.hp.com 3. www.scientificrecycling.com 4. search for more computer recycling companies. CONCRETE & ASPHALT RECYCLING BUSINESSES Please contact one of the following businesses and ask about their concrete and asphalt recycling programs. Also look in the phone directory’s yellow pages under “sand & gravel” or “rubbish” for additional companies that may provide similar recycling or reuse opportunities. Custom Crushing & Recycle Inc. 978 Sixty-Fourth SW Byron Center, MI 49315 Phone: 616-249-3329 Pitsch Companies 675 Richmond NW Grand Rapids, MI 49504 Phone: 616-363-4895 (provide dumpsters) West Michigan Recycle Inc. 2359 Ivanrest SW Grandville, MI 49418 Phone: 616-534-3853 13 Pettis & Associates 1200 Pettis Ave. Ada, MI 49301 Phone: 616-676-4021 (24/7 concrete drop-off) CURBSIDE RECYCLING SERVICES Curbside recycling is an efficient way to establish a long lasting, cost effective recycling program in a community. Almost all of the waste haulers in our area offer a curbside recycling service. There is usually a nominal monthly fee for this service (there is no charge to utilize this service in the city of Grand Rapids). Check with your waste hauler to see if they provide curbside recycling services. If you cannot obtain curbside recycling or choose not to add this service through your hauler, please note that there is one official recycling dropoff site in Kent County outside of Rockford at the North Kent Recycle and Transfer Station, 2908 Ten Mile Rd. phone: 616-866-5070 open 7:30am to 5pm Monday through Saturday. CALL FOR CURBSIDE RECYCLING SERVICE Arrowaste 1-877-862-7769 or 616-748-1955 Bob’s Disposal Inc. 616-455-1155 Davie Disposal 616-887-9155 Everkept, Inc. 616-669-2047 Waste Management of MI 616-538-3750 Sunset Waste 1-800-882-9565 or 616-669-7888 Top Service, Inc. 616-677-5446 Waste Not (City Of Grand Rapids Residential Curbside Recycling Program for Grand Rapids residents only) 616-456-4444 or 616-456-3232 For additional business listings consult your phone directory’s yellow pages APARTMENT DWELLING AND RECYCLING under “Rubbish” If you are living in an apartment, and the complex does not offer a bin for recycling in the complex, recycling may seem impossible. Keep in mind that there are recycling options available, and here are some suggestions listed below: 1. First contact the apartment main office to check if they do offer recycling within the complex. Be sure to encourage their participation. 2. Kent County residents can take their recyclables to the North Kent Transfer Station on 10 Mile Rd. or the Market St. recycling facility (phone: 616-866-5070 for directions or 336-2570 for details). 14 EXPLOSIVES & AMMUNITION When spring clean-up time leads to some unexpected caches of unwanted or unusable bullets, shotgun shells, fireworks, blasting caps, or dynamite remember there is a safe solution in our area for disposal. Contact one of the following offices to determine how to properly dispose of explosives. Michigan State Police Firearms & Bomb Squad Unit 720 Fuller NE Grand Rapids, MI 49503 Phone: 616-242-6650 - ext. 5 Kent County Sheriff’s Department 701 Ball NE Grand Rapids, MI 49503 Phone: 616-632-6200 FIRE EXTINGUISHERS To get general information and/or advise on fire extinguishers contact your local fire department. The Grand Rapids Fire Department has a Fire Prevention Bureau (phone 616-456-3900) which maintains a display of extinguishers and might be interested in your older model extinguisher for their display. To purchase, refill, or dispose of a fire extinguisher contact Firefighter Sales & Service located at 3015 Madison SE in Grand Rapids, phone: (616) 452-2184. They are open 8am to 5pm Monday through Friday. Contact any additional businesses listed in your phone directory’s yellow pages under ‘Fire Extinguishers’ or ‘Fire Protection Equipment - Repair and Service’. 15 FUEL TANKS (fuel oil tanks, gasoline tanks, etc.) Fuel tanks of any kind must be absolutely empty before you attempt to recycle or dispose of the tanks. Scrap metal companies and landfills will require you to demonstrate that the tanks are empty by cutting them apart or drilling holes in the tanks. Use caution before you do any cutting or drilling and always get professional advice. See page 24 for scrap metal companies and also check your phone directory’s yellow pages under ‘scrap metal’ and/or ‘tank removal’. If you have an underground tank contact the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) for advise on how and who can remove the tank (local Grand Rapids DEQ phone number is 616-356-0500). The companies listed below may be able to assist you in emptying a tank. Crystal Flash Environmental Services in Grand Rapids, phone 616-365-0012. C. Stoddard & Sons in Wayland, phone 877-4243 in Grand Rapids area or 269-792-6591 in Wayland-Dorr area. This company may be able to assist you in removing a tank and its fuel Gillhespy, Inc. at 532 Grandville SW in Grand Rapids, phone: 616-459-0125. GLASS RECYCLING The Kent County recycle program (which includes Grand Rapids’ Waste Not recycle program as well as many recycle haulers) makes recycling your clear glass bottles and jars easy! Be sure to rinse these containers clean, and add to your curb-side recycle bin. Always check with your chosen hauler to find out specifics on their glass recycle program. Kent County’s program for instance, does not take colored glass, light bulbs, windows, canning jars, or dishes and glassware. Thank you for recycling your glass bottles and jars correctly! 16 HOUSEHOLD HAZARDOUS WASTE Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) is any material discarded from homes that may threaten human health or the environment when disposed of improperly. Potential dangers found in Household Hazardous Waste are classified into one of four areas: TOXIC= Poisonous or lethal when ingested, touched or inhaled even in small quantities; i.e., rat poison, weed killers, bug sprays, mercury. FLAMMABLE= Easily ignites and catches on fire; i.e., lighter fluid, paint thinners, oil base paint, gasoline. CORROSIVE= Eats away materials and living tissue by chemical action; i.e., lyes, acids, oven and toilet bowl cleaners. REACTIVE= Creates an explosion or produces deadly vapors; i.e., bleach mixed with ammonia based cleaners. Improper handling or disposal of household hazardous materials can result in serious accidents to children, pets, refuse haulers, disposal site workers and YOU! Placing these substances into disposal systems such as home drains, storm drains and landfills can transport these wastes into groundwater and surface water and lead to contamination of the drinking water. If you have unwanted or unneeded hazardous products in your home; store them safely in the original, sealed containers away from food, pets and children and set an appointment to bring the materials to one of our Household Hazardous Waste Collection Centers. The Department has three permanent centers open year round, where we take appointments during the week. One center is on the northwest side of Grand Rapids, one near Rockford, and the newest one in Kentwood. This is a free service for Kent County residents and is designed to provide you with an environmentally acceptable means of disposal for your household hazardous products. TO PARTICIPATE IN THE PROGRAM: *Inventory (make a general list) of the materials you wish to bring in for disposal. *Call 336-2570 or 1-888-217-2850 with your inventory to make an appointment for your most convenient collection center. *Place materials in cardboard boxes, put on floor of car or in trunk, bring materials at scheduled day and time of collection. *We will remove material from your vehicle. 17 Materials not accepted for disposal in the HHW Program are: - Materials from farms, businesses, offices, schools or institutions - Latex paint; must be dried out first by stirring in kitty litter and then put in trash - Explosives and ammunition (see page 15). - Asbestos (see page 3) - Medical waste (see page 23) - Radioactive waste and smoke detectors (see page 32) HOUSEHOLD HAZARDOUS PRODUCT GUIDELINES The five major categories to check for potential HHW products: REPAIR & REMODELING: adhesives, glues and paint products CLEANING AGENTS: disinfectants, degreasers, polishes, bathroom and kitchen cleaners PESTICIDES: lawn and garden weed killers, indoor bug sprays and poisons VEHICLE MAINTENANCE: waxes, cleaners, batteries, gasoline, brake fluid HOBBY & RECREATION: charcoal lighter fluid, pool chemicals, inks, artist paints, batteries Ways to safely and effectively reduce hazards in your home: THINK BEFORE YOU BUY: do you really need this product? Avoid buying highly toxic and hazardous products, consider buying the least toxic product available. ELIMINATE DUPLICATION AND MORE WASTE: know what you already have. Learn to recognize what types of products can become hazardous leftovers and what to do with them. READ THE LABELS ON CHEMICAL CONTAINERS AND FOLLOW DIRECTIONS CAREFULLY: do not think that if a little is good then a lot of it is better. The manufacturer’s messages are there to protect you and the environment. Do your part and follow them! FIND SUBSTITUTES FOR HAZARDOUS CHEMICALS WHEN POSSIBLE: substitute “ elbow grease” for hazardous solvents and cleaners. Try out alternative methods for controlling pests in the home and garden. KEEP ALL MATERIALS IN ORIGINAL CONTAINERS: the directions label and list of contents may be needed for reference in case of accidental poisonings and for future use of the product. Never leave material unlabeled or in unmarked containers. NEVER STORE NEAR FOOD: whether or not the containers are labeled, never repackage hazardous materials in containers that suggest the contents are edible. KEEP ALL CHEMICALS OUT OF REACH OF CHILDREN AND PETS: the majority of victims involved in accidental poisonings are under age six. 18 AREA LANDFILLS & TRANSFER STATIONS There is only one landfill located in Kent County. The South Kent Landfill and North Kent Recycling & Transfer Station are owned and operated by the Kent County Department of Public Works. Individuals and businesses may bring acceptable solid waste to any of the sites listed below. Landfills are classified as a Type I, II, or III facility. A Type I landfill is licensed to accept hazardous waste. A Type II landfill is licensed to accept non-hazardous solid waste. A Type III landfill accepts construction and demolition (C & D) waste. All the landfills located in our area are Type II landfills. The following is a list of landfills and transfer stations in our area: South Kent Landfill (Kent County - owned by Kent County) 300 100th St. Grand Rapids, MI 49315 Phone: 616-877-4192 for rates, hours and location. Phone: 877-4092 for information on acceptable material. North Kent Recycling & Transfer Station (Kent County - owned by Kent County) 2908 Ten Mile Rd. Rockford MI 49341 Phone: 616-866-5070 or 877-4192 for rates (same as South Kent) and hours, and information on acceptable material. Note: material brought to this site is transferred to the South Kent landfill for burial. There is also a recycling drop off site available at this location. Autumn Hills Recycling & Disposal Facility (Ottawa County - owned by Waste Management) 700 56th Ave. Zeeland, MI 49464 Phone: 616- 688-5777 for rates, hours, and information on acceptable material Ottawa County Farms Landfill (Ottawa County - owned by Allied) 15550 68th Ave. Coopersville, MI 49404 Phone: 616-837-8195 for rates, hours, and information on acceptable material Pitsch Sanitary Landfill (Ionia County - owned by Pitsch) 7905 Johnson Rd. Belding, MI 48809 Phone: 616-794-3050 for rates, hours, and information on acceptable material Central Landfill (Montcalm County - owned by Allied) 21545 W. Cannonsville Rd. Pierson, MI 49339 Phone: 616-636-4096 or 636-4315 for rates, hours, and information on acceptable material 19 WASTE- TO- ENERGY / DISTRICT HEATING & COOLING OPERATION As another integral part of Kent County’s Solid Waste System, the Department of Public Works owns a Waste-to-Energy (WTE) facility. Over 600 tons of garbage are incinerated daily, generating electricity for sale to Consumers Power, and steam for the customers of the County’s District Heating and Cooling Operation (DHCO). Six hundred tons amounts to approximately 40% of all the solid waste generated daily in Kent County. The remaining 60% is then managed through the process of reduction, reuse, recycling and landfilling. The WTE facility utilizes state of the art air pollution control systems along with continuous emission monitors to insure that strict environmental standards are being met. The process of incineration reduces garbage to ash which requires less landfill space. Also, approximately 5,000 tons of ferrous (iron) metals are recovered each year from the ash. This metal is then sold to a scrap dealer for recycling. The County’s DHCO provides steam used for heating, cooling and process use to approximately 125 customers in the Downtown Grand Rapids area. Buildings served by the DHCO don’t have the worry or cost of maintaining in-house boilers. In addition to receiving steam from the WTE Facility, the DHCO has the ability to burn natural gas or oil at its Fulton Street Steam Plant. The environmental benefits of the DHCO include reduced greenhouse gas emissions from a central heat source plus no ozone destroying CFC’s are used in steam absorption cooling. If you would like information on how to get connected to the DHCO contact Dave Dechow at 336-2500. The County’s DHCO is poised to help the Downtown area grow well into the next century. NOTE: The Waste-To-Energy Facility is open to all commercial waste haulers: serving Grand Rapids, East Grand Rapids, Grandville, Walker, Wyoming and Kentwood. It is not open to the general public. Waste-To-Energy (WTE) Facility 950 Market SW Grand Rapids, MI 49503 Phone: 616-336-2502 for rates, hours, and acceptable material. 20 LUMBER (WOOD) REUSE & RECYCLING OPTIONS Before you discard your used or scrap wood, consider some options. Wood can be recycled into animal bedding, manufactured building products, compost bulking or chipped for fuel. If you have wood that can be reused, donate it to programs that offer community repair services. Consider one of the following local options. DONATE REUSABLE WOOD Builders Abundance (part of the Home Repair Service Program of Kent County-see page 7) 1100 South Division Grand Rapids, MI 49507 Phone: 616-241-2601; call for information on what types of wood are needed for donation. WOOD RECYCLING OPTIONS Kamps 2900 Peach Ridge NW Grand Rapids, MI 49544 Phone: 616-453-9676 or 800-759-8100 Receives and processes all types of wood waste for fuel consumption. Charges for pick-up (if small number) of pallets and wood waste. Shredding service. WOOD ALTERNATIVES If you are considering an alternative to wood, keep recycled plastic lumber in mind and contact: Earth Technology Corp. 1859 Herrity Lane Ionia, MI 48846 Phone: 616-527-1433 ReThink Good Things 2926 Lake Dr. SE Grand Rapids, MI 49506 Phone: 616-940-2926 21 LIGHT BULBS - FLUORESCENT TUBES RECYCLING/DISPOSAL Disposing of fluorescent light tubes can be a problem because of the mercury content in the tube. Individuals may bring fluorescent lights to Kent County’s Household Hazardous Waste program (see pgs. 17 &18). Businesses can obtain recycling/disposal service from Valley City Environmental Services Inc. for a small fee per tube. This company also offers a mobile service for commercial and industrial operations. The mercury is recovered from the tubes and recycled. To obtain more information on their recycling program please contact: Valley City Environmental Services Inc. 1040 Market Ave. SW Grand Rapids, MI 49503 Phone: 616-235-1500 In addition, for commercial operations another contact is the EPA’s Energy Star Hotline. For information on the Green Lights Program and other energy saving programs, call 202-775-6650. Other light bulbs, such as halogen and incandescent lights may be safely disposed of in your regular trash when they burn out. MAGAZINES It wasn’t that long ago when finding a place to recycle magazines was on a par with winning the lottery. Magazine drives seemed few and far between. Now magazines are a lot easier to recycle. Curbside recycling programs are available to almost everyone and almost all of these programs accept magazines. The North Kent Recycle and Transfer Station located at 2908 Ten Mile Rd. in Rockford still serves as a recycling drop off site and accepts magazines. Call 616-866-5070 for information, open Monday through Saturday 7:30am to 5pm. Newspaper and magazine drives still take place. Finding out about them is a little tricky, look for ads in newspapers and listen for ads on the radio for upcoming drives. For newspaper drives contact Nu-Wool Insulation and ask for drop-off locations they organize. Their phone number is 616-669-0100. Remember before you recycle magazines consider reuse possibilities. 22 MEDICAL WASTE - The prescription for safe disposal is: In 1990 Michigan passed the Medical Waste Management Act. This act established requirements for treating, storing, handling, transporting and disposing of medical waste. The Act defines medical waste as cultures, stocks of infectious agents and biologicals, liquid human and animal waste (not including urine or material stained with blood or bodily fluids), pathological waste, used needles (sharps), and contaminated animal waste. However, medical waste generated from a household, a farm operation or other agricultural business, a home for the aged, or a home health care agency is NOT CONSIDERED MEDICAL WASTE and is not regulated under the Michigan Medical Waste Management Act. Therefore common sense and caution should guide individuals in the safe disposal of home generated medical waste. One of the most common medical wastes generated in the home are used needles. Many individuals require injections (often daily) for a variety of medical conditions. Needles should be placed in a puncture resistant container like a liquid detergent or fabric softener bottle (Note: you can also purchase specific sharps disposal containers). When the bottle is full, screw the lid on, label the container as an added precaution, and dispose of with the rest of your trash. This provides safeguards for the environment as well as the sanitation workers. It is not necessary to separate your container with the needles from the rest of your trash. Please note that medical waste is not accepted through the County’s Household Hazardous Waste Program. For expired medications and prescriptions, DO NOT flush down the toilet, or any drain. When medicines are discarded this way, they end up at the Waste Water Treatment Plant (WWTP) . This plant is not engineered for pharmaceutical removal, and they end up in our drinking water eventually after passing with the treated waters back into nearby lakes and rivers. Instead, keep the pharmaceuticals in their original container, add some water, and then some absorbent material such as sand, kitty litter, flour, or sawdust before recapping the container. These lids are typically water tight as well as child resistant. Double wrap or enclose the container before disposing of in your regular trash. This will help prevent immediate identification of a drug container (for those looking for excess drugs to take) and breakage of the bottle. If you need advise on how to handle your home generated medical waste contact our office at 616-336-2570 or 888-217-2850 the: Dept. of Environmental Quality Environmental Assistance Center Phone: 1-800-662-9278 If you are a business which generates medical waste you can contact the Michigan Department of Public Health in Lansing at 517-335-8637 which serves as the regulatory agency for the Medical Waste Management Act. 23 SCRAP METALS Scrap metals include, but are not limited to: aluminum, tin, iron/steel, stainless steel, copper, zinc, brass, bronze, and other precious metals. The companies listed below will take various forms of scrap metal from businesses and individuals. It is recommended that you call first to determine what the company’s requirements are prior to bringing them your scrap metals. Burton Street Recycling 719 Burton St. SW Grand Rapids, MI 49509 (616) 452-6037 Franklin Metal Trading Co. 609 Tupper Lake Lake Odessa, MI 48849 (616) 374-7171 Padnos (Lois) Iron & Metal Co. 601 Letellier SW Grand Rapids, MI 49504 (616)459-4208 (Accepts non-ferrous metal) West Michigan Iron & Metal 1845 Chicago Dr. SW Wyoming, MI 49509 (616) 243-0157 Padnos Iron & Metal Co. 719 Burton Grand Rapids, MI 49509 (616) 452-6037 Padnos Iron & Metal Co. 2001 Turner Ave NW Grand Rapids, MI 49544 (616) 361-2601 (Accepts appliances, auto steel, cast iron etc.) Consult the phone directory yellow pages listings for additional scrap metal companies. MERCURY More scientific studies and consequences of mercury contamination are being reported often. Joint federal, state, and local government efforts to contain this liquid metal are continually in progress. If you have old mercury fever thermometers or bulk mercury, please take it to collection centers at either the: Kent Co. Health Dept. Laboratory 700 Fuller NE Grand Rapids, MI 49503 (616) 632-6900 OR Kent Co. Road Commission 1500 Scribner NW Grand Rapids, MI 49504 (616) 242-6999 In addition, the older style ‘dial’ type thermostats have mercury in them also and can be taken to: Johnstone Supply 4757 Clyde Park SW (616) 532-8188 OR MI Temperature Supply 3323 Lousma Dr. SE (616) 452-8778 24 MOTOR OIL RECYCLING OPTIONS In Michigan it is illegal to dump motor oil on the ground, down the drain or sewer, or into any surface water or groundwater. You can be fined up to $1,000 ($2,500 for a business) and/or sentenced to 90 days in jail if you illegally dispose of used motor oil in Michigan. Thanks to the following local companies you have many options available to properly dispose and recycle your used motor oil. There are approximately 25 sites in Kent County that will accept up to 5 gallons of motor oil per day from individuals (not businesses). AutoZone Locations in & close to Kent Co: 2920 Eastern Ave. SE in Grand Rapids 246-7006 2001 28th St. SW in Wyoming 530-4609 3434 Plainfield NE in Grand Rapids 447-0323 1531 60th ST. SE in Kentwood 827-0105 1112 Fuller NE in Grand Rapids 742-9965 1210 S. Division Ave. in Grand Rapids 241-9332 There are also stores in Georgetown Twp. at: 1848 Baldwin 457-3589 7500 Cottonwood Dr. 457-0030 Advance Auto Parts Locations in Kent County: 626 Leonard NW in Grand Rapids 451-4196 1784 28th St. SW in Wyoming 249-3830 4424 South Division in Kentwood 257-7096 PEPBOYS Locations In Kent County: 3737 Alpine NW in Comstock Park 609 28th St SW in Wyoming 785-3122 261-5701 Crystal Flash Location in Kent County: 1760 Alpine Ave. NW in Grand Rapids 365-0012 1108 Lincoln Lake Rd Lowell 897-4101 Continued on the next page. 25 MORE MOTOR OIL RECYCLING OPTIONS Tractor Supply Company: 4011 17 Mile Rd. in Cedar Springs (616)696-3652 Other locations known outside of Kent County to recycle your oil: Tractor Supply Co. in Greenville Fifelski Auto Service in Dorr 6030 S. Greenville Rd. 4204 18th St. Phone: (616) 754-4639 Phone: (616) 681-9620 (5 gal. limit/visit, no mixed oil) (antifreeze, oil, brake fluid, trans. fluid no mixes!) Dorr Standard Service in Dorr 1831 142nd St. Phone: (616) 681-9136 (no mixed oil) Be sure to ask your favorite oil change or auto store if they will recycle your oil properly also! Please help these companies continue to provide this valuable public service by utilizing this service during business hours. Call ahead for specific information concerning their service and hours. Never leave oil in the parking lots, or outside of front or back doors when the business is closed. Always keep your oil container for reuse or disposal. NOW ACCEPTING YOUR OIL FOR RECYCLING ALSO! Call (616) 336-2570 for an appointment through the household hazardous waste program to bring in your used oil. We can recycle it properly if it has not been mixed with any other substances. If it has been mixed with anything else, just let us know. We will still gladly take it off your hands, though it must be recovered separately from other ‘clean’ used oil. Your cooperation to identify any oil that can be recycled separate from other ‘contaminated’ oil is necessary to keep this new program in operation. 26 PAPER RECYCLING Consider the following actions and opportunities: Check into curbside recycling services through your waste hauler. Find out what types of paper are acceptable through your program. Check into a recycling service for your business. Check the phone directory yellow pages listings under ‘rubbish’ and ‘recycling centers’, or see below and pg. 31 for more recycling options for businesses. Utilize a recycling drop-off site: There is one official recycling drop-off site in Kent County located at 2908 Ten Mile just west of Rockford ~2 blocks east of 131; (North Kent Recycle & Transfer Station phone: 866-5070 for more information). Additional Resources in our area that offer commercial paper recycling services and options: Padnos Iron & Metal Recycle America 601 Letellier SW 1737 Chicago Dr. SW Grand Rapids, MI 49504 Wyoming, MI 49509 Phone: 616-459-4208 Phone: 616-243-7191 Nu-Wool Insulation contact Nu-Wool for information on local paper and newspaper drives. Organizations sponsor newspaper drives as fundraisers through Nu-Wool. Nu-Wool also takes phone books at certain times of the year (see pg. 28 for more details). If you are interested in sponsoring or just learning about newspaper drives contact Nu-Wool Insulation at 2472 Port Sheldon in Jenison. Phone: 616-669-0100 Have your junk mail eliminated , write: Mail Preference Service c /o Direct Marketing Association P.O. Box 9008 Farmingdale, NY 11735-9008 Phone: (212) 768-7277 Website: http://www.dmaconsumers.org Recycle greeting cards by donating to charity: Send the front covers of used greeting cards (this saves you postage) to the St. Jude’s Ranch at the following address: St. Jude’s Ranch for Children, 100 St. Jude’s, Boulder City, NV 89005 Website at: http://stjudesranch.org/Content/cardprogram.asp Sites where corrugated cardboard may be dropped off: break the boxes down. North Kent Recycle & Transfer Station 2908 Ten Mile Rockford, MI 49341 Phone: 616-866-5070 Kent County Recycling Facility 322 Bartlett SW Grand Rapids, MI 49503 27 27 Recycle America 1737 Chicago Dr. SW Wyoming, MI 49509 Phone: 616-243-7191 Phone: 616-336-4360 PHONE BOOKSTELEPHONE DIRECTORY RECYCLING Phone books are difficult if not impossible to recycle through curbside recycling programs. Look for information on possible phone book recycling programs in the newspaper or call the phone companies and inquire about any recycling programs being offered (usually February or March). There is a company in our area which allows you to recycle your phone directory all year long. Nu-Wool Insulation offers area residents a year-round opportunity to recycle their unwanted directories at their plant located at 2472 Port Sheldon Ave. in Jenison. Often Nu-Wool also has semi-trailers set up around the county for the collection of these phones books. They will accept any phone book for recycling. If you miss special programs available in February or March; you can still recycle your phone directories through Nu-Wool. For more information on the details of this program contact Nu-Wool at: 616- 669-0100. PROPANE CYLINDERS Propane is a flammable compressed gas. It is heavier than air and will tend to settle in low areas. Propane is odorized to warn of its presence, should a leak occur. Leaking propane gas tanks may cause a fire or explosion if ignited. All safety instructions should be read and followed when using, transporting and storing propane. Most 20 to 420 pound propane cylinders are certified for 12 years. After 12 years a cylinder must be re-certified and re-valved, if possible, or disposed of properly. There is a business which provides services regarding propane cylinders, including proper disposal. For information on the services available please contact: Crystal Flash 1754 Alpine NW Grand Rapids, MI 49504 Phone: 363-4851 or 1-800-875-4851 20 pound propane cylinders are also accepted for processing at the North Kent Transfer Station near Rockford and the South Kent Landfill near Byron Center, there is currently a $3.00 per cylinder charge. Hours and locations for the sites are listed on page 19. Smaller propane cylinders (for example, the small Coleman grill cylinders) may be put in your regular trash, if they are completely empty. 28 PLASTIC RECYCLING-THINK BOTTLES ONLY REMEMBER: Most plastic is not recyclable in our area. In the past few years many of the plastic recycling programs available to the general public have shut down. One of the main problems was contamination. Please remember to find out what type of plastics are recyclable through your program - and only attempt to recycle the accepted plastics. If in doubt throw it out. It can be confusing to identify exactly what kind of plastic you may have. The plastic industry voluntarily developed a numbering system (from 1 to 7) to help sort out the confusion. The number placed inside the recycling triangle (a triangle of three chasing arrows) identifies what type of plastic you have and does not mean that it can necessarily be recycled. Most recycling programs in our area accept number 1 plastic bottles and number 2 plastic bottles. PETE Polyethylene Terephthalate: includes beverage & certain cleaning product bottles. HDPE High Density Polyethylene: includes milk jugs & detergent bottles. NOTE: the remaining numbers 3 through 7 are almost never recycled through residential programs. Number 3 plastic is PVC - poly vinyl chloride, number 4 is LDPE - low density polyethylene, number 5 is PP - polypropylene, number 6 is PS - polystyrene and number 7 is a combination of plastics. Also, bottles that contained hazardous substances (like motor oil) generally are not acceptable. The molding process may also affect the recyclability of plastic. Remember most programs in our area accept blow molded (like bottles) # 1 (PETE) or #2 (HDPE) bottles. Most programs do not accept injection molded plastics (like butter tubs or yogurt containers) no matter what the number may be. Plastic Bag recycling may be possible through a program called ENVIRO BAG by calling 1-800-866-3954 or see their website at: http://envirobag.com. Some area schools participate in this program, but make sure you understand the rules and get permission from the participating schools before you utilize this program. Plastic or foam packing ‘peanuts’ reuse may be possible if you have clean reusable material. Contact the Plastic Loose Fill Products Council “Peanut Hotline” at 1-800-828-2214 between 9am and 9pm for possible businesses in your area where clean plastic peanuts are needed. This hotline quickly provides you with local businesses interested in using your reusable loose fill. Also, a company in Grand Rapids called ARVRON may take your larger packaging styrofoam (non-food, clean materials only). Call them first at 530-1888 for details and drop-off information. Recycling larger volumes of Plastic: If you are an area business wishing to recycle large volumes of plastics, consider calling the MI DEQ’s Environmental Science and Services Division direct access number for a listing of statewide markets. The number is 1-800-662-9278. 29 CAR RECYCLING DONE RIGHT The State of Michigan chose Grand Rapids as a trial city to start looking for ways to properly care for our cars after their end of life. Did you know that many cars produced as late as 2003 contain mercury parts in them? If your car is taken to one of the companies listed below, it will be taken apart and the mercury will be properly recovered before the car is crushed and the metal then melted. The car recycling business process normally could release mercury into our air which affects our health, our children’s health, as well as the wildlife - like the fish we eat. So when your car has traveled its very last mile, be sure to have it taken care of properly. When you think of all the cars that could potentially be adding to the mercury air pollution - it really adds up! For more information see: www.michigan.gov/deqmercuryp2 M2S2 (Michigan Mercury Switch Sweep) Charter Project Members: LKQ of Michigan, Inc. 41247 E. Huron River Dr. Belleville, MI 48111 (800) 686-8494 ext. 132 Strong Automobile Recovery 6630 Strong Street Detroit, MI 48211 (248) 542-0700 Schram Auto Parts - Waterford 2549 Dixie Hwy. Waterford, MI 48328 (517) 694-2156 City of Grand Rapids Impound Lots 1300 Market St. SW Grand Rapids, MI 49503 (616) 456-4636 Schram Auto Parts - Lansing 1325 North Cedar Rd. Mason, MI 48854 (517) 694-2156 Shroyer Auto Parts 2740 Eaton Rapids Rd. Lansing, MI 48911 (517) 887-1700 30 Parts Galore (Strong Steel) 11360 East 8 Mile Rd. Detroit, MI 48205-1073 (248) 542-0700 Baker Auto Parts of Grand Rapids 1981 Alpine Ave. NW Grand Rapids, MI 49503 (616) 363-9881 or (800) 942-4653 U-Wrench-It Holland 11431 Chicago Dr. Holland, MI 49424 (616) 396-2369 ext. 104 Mutual Auto Parts 800 Freeman St. Grand Rapids, MI 49503 (616) 456-5474 U-Wrench-It Kalamazoo 2713 East Michigan Ave. Kalamazoo, MI 49048 (616) 396-2369 ext. 104 Bauer Truck Parts 4678 Bauer Rd. Hudsonville, MI 49426 (616) 669-2060 RECYCLING FACILITIES Oddly, recycling facilities don’t usually recycle any material. They generally sort and prepare glass, metal, plastic and paper to be sent to a company where it actually gets recycled into a new product. So, it would probably be more correct to call it a sorting facility. It is generally referred to as a MRF, or Material Recovery Facility. At the MRF material is sorted, and prepared for shipment by bailing (paper, plastic & metal) or crushing (glass) the recyclables. When your curbside recyclables are picked up by your hauler, their first stop will be to a MRF. MRFs in our area include: Kent County Recycling Facility 322 Bartlett SW Grand Rapids, MI 49503 Phone: 616-336-4360 (To schedule a school or group tour call 336-2570or 336-3695) Recycle America (Waste Management’s MRF) 1737 Chicago Dr. SW Wyoming, MI 49509 Phone: 616-243-7191 For commercial recycling service or advice contact the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) Environmental Assistance Center: 1-800-662-9278. You may also want to contact Padnos Iron & Metal which acts as a recycling broker for scrap metals and paper to many area businesses: Padnos Iron & Metal 3485 Via Duct Grandville, MI 49418 Phone: 616-532-5192 Other companies that offer recycling services for commercial businesses can be found in the phone directory yellow pages under ‘recycling centers’. Another way you can support recycling is to buy products made of recycled materials whenever possible. Recycling will become cost effective when established markets are guaranteed. Creating a supply by collecting recyclables is not enough. We must also create the demand to complete the recycling loop and ensure lasting markets. Patronize businesses that offer products made from recycled materials. Ask your favorite business to carry recycled products. 31 SMOKE DETECTORS How do you properly dispose of smoke detectors? Before 1981 the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) required spent smoke detectors be returned to the NRC for disposal. However in January of 1981 the NRC eliminated this requirement. They determined that the radioactive element in smoke detectors posed no danger when disposed of in landfills. It has also been concluded that no significant problems result from the incineration of smoke detectors. Therefore no special disposal programs for their disposal have been developed. The average like expectancy of a smoke detector is ten years. It is recommended that you place your spent smoke detectors in the regular trash for disposal. Unless you have a very large volume then first try to contact the manufacturer for proper disposal options. TIRES Michigan passed the Scrap Tire Regulatory Act of 1990, and on March 30, 2004 new bills were passed banning whole tires from landfills. Options exist for disposing/recycling tires, but it must be done properly and in conjunction to the new laws passed. The MI Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) operates a website that lists registered scrap tire haulers and collection sites for your use at http://www.michigan.gov/deq under the WASTE icon, call our department at 616-336-3695 or 616-336-4617 for the disposal information, or take them to a company that accepts old tires for proper disposal/recycling, there is a small charge per tire, based on tire size. Locations where tires can be taken are listed below. Keep in mind, there are also regulations on transporting tires. If you are transporting seven or more tires you should call the local DEQ in our area located in downtown Grand Rapids at 616-356-0500, and get information on hauler registrations and manifests to determine what is required for you to legally and safely transport tires. Ronda Tire (six locations) Main contact store: 130 Market Ave. SW Grand Rapids, MI 49503 Phone: 616-456-5321 2985 Breton Rd SE Grand Rapids, MI 49508 Phone: 616-247-8473 9210 Cherry Valley Ave. SE Caledonia, MI 49316 Phone: 616-891-2352 746 West Main (Lowell Tire Center) Lowell, MI 49331 Phone: 616-897-6200 341 Church Jenison, MI 49428 Phone: 616-457-6401 1335 Godfrey SW Wyoming, MI 49509 Phone: 616-493-1637 And Belle Tire - 400 76th St. SW in Byron Center, phone: 616-583-1664 Please note: other tire dealers may have programs offered to recycle/dispose of your tires properly, and almost always at the time of purchasing new tires for your vehicle. Inquire at your favorite dealer or consult your phone directory yellow pages. 32 VINYL and ALUMINUM SIDING RECYCLING Vinyl siding scrap recycling is available to area contractors through company listed below. Please call for details: H. Eikenhout & Sons Inc. 346 Wealthy SW Grand Rapids, MI 49501 Ph: 616-459-4523 Aluminum siding may be taken to one of many scrap metal businesses. See pg. 23 for details, and be sure to call the company for preparation information prior to hauling it there. 33 Notes Did you know that the soft and fuzzy fleece material can be made today from recycled plastic?