Little by little I'm trying to become a little greener with the products I buy, make, etc, and going organic with some things. The whole 'organic' thing can be a little confusing when shopping for items in the store tho, and knowing that I can't just trust what the label says has prevented me from going full-boar with it for fear of spending more for an item that's not actually any better (and sometimes worse!) than a lower-priced non-organic labeled item. But that's another subject for a future writing, after I do a whole lot more research on it.
What I want to write about today is where I take my recycling, so those of you who live in this area will have a better idea of the where's and how's of going about it yourself. My hope is that you'll join me in my quest to turn a little greener! Ü
For real good info on what, how, and where to recycle, go here: http://www.co.cass.mn.us/esd/solid_waste/pdfs/solidwasterecycling.pdf
Here's another place you can chek out on the internet to list what you don't want anymore, or chek out what someone else has listed to see if you want it:
http://www.co.cass.mn.us/esd/matex/cass_available.html
It's called the North Central Materials Exchange - MATEX, and here's what it says about it:
Cass, Crow Wing, and Hubbard counties have teamed up with the Minnesota Materials Exchange program to offer exciting new opportunities to reduce waste and to reuse materials in northern Minnesota.
See local MATEX listings for Cass, Crow Wing, and Hubbard counties.
The materials exchange (MATEX) program is based on the concept that one company's waste product could be another company's raw material. Through a Materials Exchange, companies and organizations can reduce their waste disposal costs by finding other companies, organizations, schools or individuals which could use these waste or surplus materials in their processes or programs. The main purpose of the exchange is to connect businesses and organizations that have reusable goods with those who need them.
Advantages of Materials Exchange:
*Less material enters landfills
*Participants can locate valuable materials and feedstock free or at reduced cost, locally and statewide
*Participants can profit from reduced waste disposal costs and from sale of items which would otherwise have been considered "waste"
*Service is free
*Materials Exchange programs conserve resources
*Participants become more environmentally responsible
Businesses and organizations may list usable materials they no longer need on the exchange. Participants may also check the listings for items that they could use in their processes, programs, or services. For example, maybe your business did some remodeling and you have leftover supplies. Those items could be offered on the exchange and a school could use your leftovers in their drama department.
The MATEX will help to match up items wanted with materials available. The participants make final exchange and transportation arrangements with each other. The materials are not physically collected by MATEX for storage or transfer. The service provided by MATEX is free, although a fee may be charged by the listing party for some of the materials.
Contact Info: The MATEX office is located in the Cass County Environmental Service Department at the Cass County Courthouse, Box 3000, Walker, MN 56484. You may call (218) 547-7428 or FAX (218) 547-2440 or contact the office by e-mail to request a form or to list over the phone.
Listing on MATEX: Your information will be listed on the regional exchange. The listing of materials wanted and materials available will be available at the Environmental Service or Solid Waste Departments of Cass, Crow Wing and Hubbard Counties or sent out by e-mail for those requesting that service.
In addition to the regional service, participants are encouraged to check the listings on the statewide Minnesota Materials Exchange Alliance. Call the Minnesota Technical Assistance Program (MN TAP) at 1-800-247-0015.
Any business, organization, school, non-profit group governmental unit or individual may list with this service at no cost. Some businesses prefer to distribute on a large scale only and may not be willing or able to work with individual residents. However, if the opportunity exists, individual residents may also make use of the service.
Participation is not limited to those in Cass, Crow Wing or Hubbard counties. Anyone may contact this or any other MN TAP affiliated Materials Exchange Program. It is the intent of the exchange programs to encourage the reuse of materials and to reduce the amount of waste or surplus materials entering landfills and other municipal solid waste facilities.
Another place I like to use is the Cass County Transfer Station, located just north of Pine River on Hwy 371. It's on the west side of the highway, across from Pine River Tire. If you'd like to call them for more info, their number is 218-587-3500.
If you have furniture or other household items (not clothing!) that you no longer want but is still in working condition and you think someone else might be able to use it, just take it there and drop it off! You can also stop by just to look to see if there's anything you might want there. Ü They keep the garage door open most of the time (just to the right of the number 1 on the building), but if you happen to go there and the door is closed, just call them and they'll open it for you. Everything is free for the taking in there!
Here's a picture of the place so you'll know what to look for:
Go here for information on the Household Hazardous Product Exchange:
http://www.co.cass.mn.us/esd/solid_waste/hazardous_product_exchange.html
They're always happy to give products away to people who will use them rather than waste tax dollars to dispose of good materials, so if you have leftover paint or stain, etc from a project you've been working on, you can donate it there. They do ask that you call them first to make an appointment tho, because they want to make sure it's still a good product. Worth the extra effort if you ask me! Ü
Here's what their website says...
If there is still product left over that you could not use up:
Do not throw it in the garbage. Please call us for an appointment and bring the remaining material back to us.
Do not simply bring the stuff back and leave it in the product room. We have to check out any product that comes into our building. Call 587-3455 or toll free at 1-888-910-2425 ext. #2 for an appointment.
If the containers are empty, leave the lids off!
Allow empty metal paint cans to dry. Leave the lids off and either place in recycling bin with other cans or throw in your garbage.
Empty aerosol cans may be placed in recycling bins or thrown away in garbage.
Allow plastic paint pails to dry, and then throw in garbage, not in recycling bins.
Metal cans for paint thinner, charcoal lighter fluid, etc, may be recycled when can is dry and empty. Be sure to leave the cover off.
Plastic containers for paint thinner and other products can be thrown in garbage. Leave lids off.
And last but not least....check out your local freecycle group! If you're not in this area, just go to http://www.freecycle.org/ and either click to browse the groups for different areas, or type the area you're interested in into the search box. It'll tell you about YOUR local freecycle group and how to join it. More and more folks are signing up for this group every day, and it's a great way to advertise something to give away or ask for something you're looking for. Everything is FREE!! No money is exchanged at all.
Here's where you can find the group for Cass & Crow Wing County Freecycle: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Cass-CrowWingMNFreecycle/
Well, that's about it for today! Please take a few minutes to check out these websites and learn more about how YOU can recycle!
Until next time!
AuntyB
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