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Recyclers' Corner
Recyclers' Corner
October 2009 Issue
[Editor's Note: Recyclers' Corner is a periodic news column sponsored by
Denver Recycles, a program of Denver Public Works/Solid Waste
Management. It includes updates on seasonal and ongoing activities
related to the City and County of Denver's recycling programs. Editors
are invited to publish all or part of the column; however, we request
that you run major edits by our staff to ensure accuracy of the
information. Questions may be directed to Charlotte Pitt or Tom
Strickland at Denver Recycles, 720-865-6815.]
2009 LeafDrop: Rake, Reuse & Recycle
It's time once again to rake up and recycle the leaves in your yard and
help make sure that they are turned into compost!
On the first three Sundays in November (Nov. 1, 8 & 15), residents may
drop off an unlimited amount of leaves at five LeafDrop locations. Two
weekday drop-off locations will also be available from October 5th
through December 4th. LeafDrop is brought to you by Denver Recycles, a
program of Solid Waste Management/Denver Pubic Works.
Removing yard debris, such as leaves, from our waste stream is important
in reducing our impact on global warming and the environment. Consider
recycling your leaves by digging them into your garden, composting them
at home or using a lawn mower to mulch small amounts into your grass.
Using your fallen leaves in this manner can help you create a healthy
lawn or garden!
Remember to never sweep your leaves into the street. This clogs up
storm sewers and street sweeper vehicles.
Sunday drop-off locations:
These Sundays only: November 1, 8 & 15 (10 AM to 4 PM)
- Northwest - Sloan's Lake Park (17th Ave. at Sheridan Blvd.)
- Southwest - John F. Kennedy High School (Newland St. & Brown
Pl.)
- East Central - Cranmer Park (3rd Ave. & Clermont St.)
- Southeast - South High School (Louisiana Ave. & Franklin St.)
- Northeast - Smiley Middle School (26th Ave. & Holly St.)
Brown Bag Them & Go!
Save your plastic trash bags and our time by bringing your leaves in
paper yard debris bags. Unlike plastic bags, brown paper bags can be
composted with your leaves. Many hardware, home improvement and
department stores sell paper yard debris bags. Or even better, bring
your leaves in reusable containers or tarps that we can empty and give
back to you.
Weekday drop-off (closed weekends & HOLIDAYS):
Monday through Friday only, October 5 - December 4 (7 AM to 2:30 PM) -
CLOSED THANKSGIVING DAY
- Havana Nursery, 10450 Smith Rd. (just south of I-70 on Havana
St.)
- Denver Solid Waste Transfer Station, 7301 E. Jewell Ave.
(Quebec St. & S. Cherry Creek Dr.)
Weekday LeafDrops must be in tied or secured bags. Paper bags are
preferred.
Notes:
> Denver residents only.
> Make sure your leaves do not contain branches or other waste.
> DO NOT drop leaves at these sites except during the times and
dates specified.
Don't forget to treat your Halloween jack-o-lanterns to a second chance
and compost them with Denver LeafDrop.
Close the Loop by reclaiming your leaves next spring in the form of rich
compost at the 2010 Treecycle Mulch Giveaway & LeafDrop Compost Sale.
After April 1, 2010, you may call 720-865-6810 or visit
DenverGov.org/DenverRecycles for details.
###
Recycling Myth Busters: Learn the Truth. Part 10 of 12
There are a lot of myths about recycling passed along from person to
person. We are here to explain some of those myths, so you can be the
best recycler possible.
Myth: Recycling electronic equipment should be free.
FALSE. Electronic recyclers have costs just like any other business.
The revenue generated through recycling the small quantities of metals
and other components contained within the electronic equipment only
covers a small fraction of the overall recycling costs. There are
significant labor costs associated with the trained personnel that
safely disassemble the equipment. Also, there are storage and
transportation costs when dealing with getting the numerous different
components of electronic equipment to the appropriate manufacturers and
markets. Thus, most electronic recyclers charge a fee based on the
number of units or pounds brought in for recycling. (Note: Be
inquisitive of electronic recyclers not charging a service fee, as this
could be a sign that they might not be dealing with the material
responsibly).
So if it is going to cost money to recycle electronic equipment, then
why bother? Simply put, it will likely cost us as a society a lot more
in the long run not to recycle electronics. First, electronic equipment
often contains many types of toxic materials that could potentially
pollute our environment. Lead, mercury, selenium, cadmium, arsenic,
zinc and PCB's (polychlorinated byphenyls) can all be found inside
computers and other electronic equipment. The Cathode Ray Tube (CRT)
inside monitors and televisions can alone contain 3 to 7 pounds of lead.
When televisions or monitors are placed in landfills and break apart,
they release lead and other toxins that potentially could get into the
ground or air and create pollution problems.
Second, the heavy metals found in electronic equipment are rare. Every
little bit of those metals that we can recycle helps to lessen the need
for expensive mining operations to find new sources of them. By
recycling these materials, we can conserve our natural resources and
lower the environmental costs of producing new electronic equipment.
How can I recycle my electronic equipment? To apply for an "E-cycle
Coupon" that can be used to reduce the cost you'll need to pay to
recycle your electronic equipment or to find information on electronics
recyclers here in Denver that are listed in our "Recycling Directory",
visit us online at DenverGov.org/DenverRecycles. There is a limit of
one "E-cycle Coupon" per home and only a limited number of E-cycle
Coupons will be available.
For other information on reducing your waste, please visit us online at
DenverGov.org/DenverRecycles.
###
Tom Strickland
Recycling Program Administrator
Denver Recycles/Solid Waste Management
City & County of Denver
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