uploaded to flickr.com by bcmom
Dear greenHILLhome,
Our blender died and I have no idea what to do with it. I know what to do with computers and printer cartridges, but no idea if small electrics – blenders, toasters, old home phones, etc. — are the same. I’ve about settled on trashing the base and putting the glass bowl in the recycling bin but I just don’t like that idea. What to do?
-Margarita Maven
Gentle Hill Reader:
This is a common question, actually. What do you do with an item that doesn’t fit in a normal recycling category?
Your initial thought about the glass is correct; glass is recyclable provided it does not have a metallic tint. I would carefully remove the metal and plastic parts of the glass pitcher and put the glass in your general curbside recycling. The base of the blender contains the motor and various plastic and metal components—not as easy to recycle. Fortunately the DC Department of Public Works is having a collection day for “household hazardous waste” and electronics on Saturday, December 4, 2010 at the Fort Totten Transfer Station from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. These collections occur on the first Saturday of each month. The transfer station is located at 4900 John F. McCormack Road NE. Items collected are then taken to an EPA-approved facility where they are sorted, deconstructed, and recycled or safely disposed.
Household hazardous waste is any item that cannot be recycled and would do damage to the environment if improperly disposed of. These items may:
•Burn or cause a fire.
•Eat away materials.
•Destroy living tissue on contact.
•Cause an explosion or release poisonous fumes when exposed to air, water or other chemicals.
•Damage or destroy cells and chromosomal material.
There is a full list of accepted items (and some unacceptable items) on the DPW website. Note that blenders aren’t specified on the acceptable items list, but when asked specifically DPW customer service noted a blender would be accepted.
If you have a question for greenHILLhome, send me an email for an answer. If we can’t find you a solution, we’ll make something up that sounds convincing.
Didn’t the transfer station accept electronics every day but Sunday? Last time I went in August was on the 21st.
Or is the first Saturday of each month just their winter schedule? If that’s their permanent schedule, we’re going to have issues at my house, or probably just request bulk pick-up instead.
I believe they are doing a collection drive at Fragers soon!
If you want to save yourself a trip to ft. Totten. A few neighbors and I are organizing a household hazardous waste and e-cycling drive on 12/4. The drive will be located at 1224 G st se from 8-noon. We will also be collecting clothes and diapers for the homeless shelter at 1900 mass ave se.