Thursday, April 3, 2014

A visit to the Household Hazardous Waste Facility

Since we are talking about recycling this month,

I thought you might want to take a short trip out and about with my friend Sally and me today.   Our river looks surprisingly clean for once.

As we pass by

the Art Museum,

I couldn't help wondering when spring would finally arrive other than on our calendars.

We worked our way through the park

then along a rather boring stretch of brown,

until we got to the Household Hazardous Waste Shop and Swap facility.  Although I failed to get any photos of the exterior, I was stunned by how barren the shelves were.  The last time I was here was sometime before Christmas, and the shelves were filled "to the brim" with items you could take home for FREE.  Although you can still take items and not pay anything for them (as long as you live in the county), there was a rather sad selection of goodies to choose from.

I've never seen the shelves so bare, but I suspect once people start cleaning out their garages and getting in the "spring cleaning" spirit after our harsh winter, these shelves might fill again.

Of course, I love to visit just to see the old cans and tins they have saved that once held oil, grease, antifreeze, etc., what landfills call "Household Hazardous Waste."  These are also items you are not allowed to put in your trash can or your recycle bucket.

Although there were few items to choose from that I might want, there is always something that you can find to make art with.  For example, I've found caulk, wallpaper paste, spray paint, tung oil, varnish, and joint compound to name just a few art supplies.  I even found Scribbles brand paint that I use in my twirling machine.

As I walked the aisles, I found the one thing that was on my list to BUY.  Now I wouldn't have to, and can even create a tutorial this month showing how cheaply you can make it.  These were the two things I picked up this visit.

We in the US spend more money on recyclable resources and waste more than any other nation in the world.  I know most of Europe recycles far more than we in the states do. I'm not sure about Australia, but we in the states tromp all over third world countries with our insatiable appetites for the "newest and best."

For Day 4 of bEARTH month, leading up to my bEARTHday, I thought you might want to see if your city or county has one of these facilities in YOUR town.  Our Swap and Shop (and waste facility) is paid for by our property taxes.  I feel I'm just getting that money back taking advantage, since I've already paid my taxes.

16 thoughtful remarks:

dawn said...

Hello!! I had no idea you could visit places like this. Not sure my small town even has one, will have to check it out and see. I think it's great that you can visit though and they have free things you can take home and use. Can't wait to see what you do with what you got.

I like the pictures of the drive there. Our yards are brown too and no signs of spring yet. I'm thinking things will be popping up soon with the warm weather we've had.

Have a great day!

Craftymoose Crafts said...

Unfortunately, our area does not have anything like this. There are scheduled days when you can bring your products in, but I think they send them out to recycle them.

Darla said...

Interesting idea. We don't have a spot like that as far as I know. Is it far from your home? Is driving to get there a worthwhile trade off for the environment? I always get tangled up in weighing the environmental impacts of things.

Meanwhile, will wait to see what you are going to teach us next.

Darla

voodoo vixen said...

I think this is a brilliant idea and not only stops it going into landfill but saves people money too! I don't know if we have a similar thing here in Oz as haven't had occasion to go to the dump. I have a recycle wheelie bin that gets collected every other week and they do a fab thing here and once a year tell everyone that they can put out any old furniture or stuff and it will be collected... so everyone puts their unwanted stuff out and everyone else comes and takes what they fancy! Cool idea eh? What is left on the sidewalk after a week is collected by the city.

Twiglet said...

What a brilliant post - I love the idea of the recycling shop. We do an online version but a shop would be fab. x Jo

Divers and Sundry said...

we don't have anything like this, but it'd be great to have some place you could leave stuff other people might want like this. i'm impressed by the concept.

Kyla said...

Brilliant idea. Our rubbish and recycling centres are not allowed to let people take stuff due to legislation! I saw a trundle sewing machine and could easily reach it but was told no! It was going to be destroyed.....such a waste.
Happy woyww too.
Kyla #2

Caterina Giglio said...

oh, E! what a great place... Fort Collins was like that .. we recycled everything.. here ... everything is trashed. they pick through it all.. or so they say... I imagine they are selective about that... looks like you made out!! wonderful score!! xx

shazsilverwolf said...

Hi Elizabeth, we are starting to get something similar over here, there are a few opening up. we do recycle a lot anyway, but it could still be improved, I'm sure. Looks like your way is a great idea. Have a great week, running around late this week, I lost Wednesday completely, lol. Hugs Shaz #55 xx

jinxxxygirl said...

What a great idea! I've never heard of one in my community but i'll have to look harder. We recycle everything.... CA makes it easy. Hugs! deb

Jo Murray said...

LOVE these places. In Australia we have Reverse Garbage warehouses, not for hazardous waste but for leftover bits from manufacturing etc. Foam, paper, thread, sequin waste, stencils, etc....plus, plus, plus.

Unknown said...

Great photos and post! Thank you! xo

Nan G said...

Wonderful idea! Wish we had a recycle shop here. We do have household waste drop off. Quite a large facility that even takes old TVs and computers. I take my old dried out interior/exterior paint and cleaning supplies that I'm now allergic too out there. Thanks for the drive. Hugs

Vicki Miller said...

What a great idea! We have quite a few recycle depots in australia, but the recycle waste mostly from industry. I love them and that is where I get most of my foils and papers and fabric, but although this sounds like a great idea, I think here, there would be so many regulations attached to such a facility that it would be impossible to run. bureaucracy!

JoZart Designs said...

That is such a great set up and I do wish we had one here. I will mention it to my local city councillor as our city is keen and quite efficient on recycling. It's interesting to see photos around your area and it is amazing how late Spring comes for you. I'll be adding evidence of Spring in my Friday Smile!
Jo x

Halle said...

Wow! I can't believe how big your Reuse center is! Ours is about the size of a large bathroom. Just 4 large shelves. I still manage to find some good stuff on occasion. :)