Recycling 

A resource for learning what to do with just about everything when you're done with it.

What to do with all those polycarbonate bottles that contain Bisphenol-A.

By now, most people have read or heard about the potential health hazards associated with Bisphenol-A, or BP-A, that is commonly found in polycarbonate bottles, including baby bottles, children's sippy cups, and Nalgene brand water bottles. You don’t want to drink out of them, so what do you do with your old bottles?  They aren't conventionally recyclable, and they are starting to take up cupboard space in people's homes (including ours).

You could return them to the manufacturer with a letter informing them of your displeasure with their choice of manufacturing materials. If you would like to pursue that avenue, below is a list of manufacturer addresses:

Nalge Nunc International
Outdoor Products Division
75 Panorama Creek Drive
Rochester, NY 14625
U.S.A.

Avent
1600 Summer St.
Stamford, CT 06945
U.S.A.

Dr. Brown's
Handi-Craft Company
4433 Fyler Avenue
St. Louis, Missouri 63116
U.S.A.

Gerber
200 Kimball Dr.
Parsippany, NJ 07054
U.S.A.

Another option is to make lemonade out of the lemons. We at All Things Renewable will be launching a contest; we want your ideas on what to do with your old polycarbonate bottles. Be as creative as you like. All Things Renewable will select the 5 best submissions and the winners will receive Sigg brand aluminum water bottles, which have been independently tested and found to not leach into your water.

Look for details on the upcoming contest on the home page of our website and in upcoming newsletters. If you aren't already on our mailing list, let us know that you'd like to hear from us by sending us a note at customercare@allthingsrenewable.com.

If you aren't familiar with the issues surrounding polycarbonate bottles and BP-A, here is a great article from Genevieve George at Eco-Cycle www.ecocycle.org/centers/broomfield/column/july2006.pdf.

Recycling programs take on a wide variety of forms and, as such, it's important to be aware of what is and what isn’t accepted by your local bins.

Normally the following items are included in community recycling programs:

• Newspaper
• Plastics with 1 or 2 category labels
• Glass
• Metal cans (containers of non-toxic materials)

Items typically accepted at a recycling facility:

Chemicals:

	Antifreeze		Photo Chemicals
	Vehicle Batteries		Solvents
	Auto Cleaners and Waxes		Paints and Stains
	Degreasers		Radiator Fluid
	Oven Cleaners		Rodent Poison
	Drain Cleaners		Rug Cleaners
	Expired Medicines		Rust Removers
	Flea Powder		Silver Cleaners
	Floor Cleaners and Waxes		Spot Removers
	Furniture Polish		Bathroom Cleaners
	Gasoline		Used Oil and Oil Filters
	Insecticides		Weed Killers
	Lacquers		Window Cleaners
	Laundry Products		Wood Preservatives
	Moth Balls		Propane Cylinders

Electronic Materials:
Did you know that computer parts and many other electronic components are hazardous waste?  Unlike aluminum cans that are easy to recycle, the items listed below have additional processing costs to get the metals and other hazardous components out; therefore, there is typically a minor charge.  The cost noted applies to drop-off or pick-up appointments.  If you are already having household hazardous waste picked up, there would be no additional pick-up charge other than the per-pound processing charge.

Following are just a few of the electronic products that may be recycled:

• Computer box (CPU)
• Computer monitor
• Keyboard
• Microwave
• Mouse
• Portable computer
• Power supply
• Printers
• Televisions
• VCR

• Radioactive materials
• Explosives
• Fireworks
• Ammunition

List of recyclable materials and locations in Jefferson County, CO, and surrounding areas:

To find out more about recycling, go to www.gcycle.org or www.earth911.org.