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.