‘Hard-to-Recycle’ series reaches a milestone

Here’s the press release from Rainbow Recycling:

BLACK MOUNTAIN, NC September 27, 2013 – The Hard-to-Recycle Collection series is marking its 10th event and two year anniversary when it returns to the South Buncombe area on Saturday, October 12, 10am-2pm, this time at Arden Presbyterian Church, 2215 Hendersonville Road.

These special collections were created to provide a “one-stop” opportunity to responsibly dispose (recycle or donate for reuse) a wide range of unusable or unwanted goods excluded from curbside bin recycling. They have been rotating quarterly since Fall 2011 and are open and FREE to all Buncombe County residents and small businesses. A team of core sponsors, currently Rainbow Recycling, Asheville GreenWorks, Biltmore Iron & Metal, Open Box Moving Solutions, and Leading Green Distributing, provides these events for your convenience and the benefit of the Buncombe community.

Ready to de-clutter your closets, garages and offices? Consider bringing those unwanted items to this last Hard-to-Recycle (“H2R”) of 2013. Participating local recycling businesses and nonprofits will welcome any advertised items. Flyer with the complete list and IMPORTANT details is available online at www.ashevillegreenworks.org or by email from rainbowrecycling.org.

In summary, standard H2R items include rigid plastics (ex – buckets, lawn furniture, flower pots), books and cardboard (the only curbside item), all collected by Curbie, and electronics, computers, and batteries taken by Biltmore Iron and Metal ($6 handling fee for CRT monitors and tabletop TV’s 32” or smaller). Added to this list are Styrofoam and packaging (available to local shippers, artists and others), metals, wire, and unusable small appliances, accepted by Rainbow Recycling, used cooking oil taken by Blue Ridge Biodiesel and unusable clothing and fabric given to ABCCM (Asheville-Buncombe Community Christian Ministry). Eyeglasses are always taken and donated to a Lions Club or optometrist in the area of the event.

Items that may change from one Hard-to-Recycle Collection to another are primarily those taken for reuse by local nonprofits. For the South Buncombe event on October 12th, Habitat for Humanity will be on hand to collect these USABLE items: household appliances (large & small), space heaters, tools, lawn furniture, windows & doors, ceiling fans (hanging hardware must accompany) as well as general household items, sporting goods, art, and musical instruments. ABCCM will additionally receive usable fall/winter clothing, towels, sheets, blankets (all must be clean & dry). Eyeglasses AND hearing aids will go to Valley Springs Lions Club.

At most H2R’s, an animal sanctuary is present to accept donations of designated usable items. Asheville Humane Society is returning on Oct 12 and will accept cat & dog toys, pet beds, crates (wire & plastic), towels and blankets (animal use) as well as unopened bags of dry cat & dog food, shoe boxes and plastic totes. When Hard-to-Recycle events are held within or beside Asheville city limits, as at this event, chip and snack bags (excluding those from pet snacks) and plastic tubes and cases from personal care/beauty items (ranging from toothpaste and lotion to various cosmetics) are also collected.

Should you wonder if there are items NOT accepted, the answer is “YES”. They include the following items: food service and colored Styrofoam, upholstery foam, wood or particle board furniture, paints and chemicals, fluorescent lights, audio and video tapes, plastic CD cases, tires, mattresses, medications as well as plastic wrap and bags (unless used to sort and carry materials). Some usable vinyl items (such as window blinds) may be accepted for reuse, but damaged vinyl items are not. Vendors will be happy to answer your questions in advance about particular items not listed (phone numbers provided on flyer), saving unnecessary hauling. Please do NOT bring trash, as the Hard-to-Recycle events were created for collecting selected recyclables and reusables, not for handling garbage.

Residents attending this event have two options for dropping off their items – the convenient drive-thru with volunteers on hand to help unload vehicles and the “do-it-yourself” (DIY) method of parking and hand-carrying your own items. New “station” signage, made possible by a Community Improvement Grant from Keep North Carolina Beautiful, will identify which area to drop off your goods. For ease and speed, it is recommended that you pack items in your vehicle “by vendor”.

Please note that this collection runs for just four hours – 10am – 2pm; NO early or late drop-offs.

Event will be held unless SEVERE weather prohibits. Attendees are encouraged to exemplify neighborly spirit and patience. Respecting event guidelines is critical for the continuation of these collections; monetary donations help sustain this effort. For general questions, contact Rainbow Recycling, (828) 669-5459, info@rainbowrecycling.org, BEFORE Oct 12.

Rainbow Recycling was honored with an award for the Hard-to-Recycle Collections by the Carolina Recycling Association in 2012.

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About Jake Frankel
Jake Frankel is an award-winning journalist who enjoys covering a wide range of topics, from politics and government to business, education and entertainment.

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