WHAT TO RECYCLE & WHERE TO TAKE THEM

Cardboard (all types, flattened to about 2-by-2-feet), junk mail, paper, phone books, newspapers, magazines, bottles, metal cans, and No. 1 and 2 plastic containers can be recycled at the curb in Toledo and most Lucas County municipalities. Cardboard/paper must be in a bin, bundled, tied, or in paper bags. You’ll need a bin for glass, cans, and plastic. Toledoans provide their own bins, which must be identified with recycling stickers, available by calling 419-936-2489. Many suburban municipalities provide bins. In addition, recycling bins are located behind many Kroger stores, at Pearson and Secor metroparks, at Lucas County Recreation Center, and many other locations.

To recycle electric items (computers, TVs, stereos, small household appliances), paint, all types of batteries, fluorescent bulbs, chemicals, and other materials, call 419-213-2230 to make a drop-off appointment Fridays, 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Saturdays, 8 a.m. to noon at the Lucas County Solid Waste Management District (LCSWMD) facility. If you aren’t sure what they’ll take or if there’s a fee, ask.

You’ll be asked what you have, and told where to take it. The address is not published because county officials are concerned people will use the location as a dump.

Batteries: All kinds are recycled at the LCSWMD facility.

Books (but no textbooks, old magazines, or moldy books), newer magazines, video and cassette tapes, CDs, and records are accepted at some used bookstores and many libraries, including all branches of the Toledo-Lucas County Public Library. They’re given to prisons, or sold at the Main branch’s gift shop, and at big sales four times a year, organized by the volunteer Friends of the Library. Unwanted books are hauled away and shredded. Information: 419-259-5455 or e-mail at friends@toledolibrary.org.

There’s still lots of old textbooks, shabby tomes, and outdated encyclopedias nobody wants. Books are shredded (and live again as insulation) at State Paper & Metal (1118 West Central Ave., 419-243-4841) and the Bowling Green Recycling Center has an efficient book debinder.

Computers and related equipment: Some shops purchase newer, used computers for resale or parts. Free recycling is done at Reboot Computers (419-691-4792, also takes other electronics), Computer Discount (419-475-9888), and Office World (419-873-0900). At Computer Renaissance (419-475-4695), the machines are stripped for usable parts, but unusable parts are not recycled. Lucas County fees for recycling electronics include desktop computer ($5), monitor ($3), printer ($3), peripherals ($2), floppy disks ($1)(Fees subject to change).

Eyeglasses: The Sight Center (419-241-1183), The Pharm Stores (collection boxes are near the pharmacy), Pearle Vision (419-866-5766), and Lenscrafters (419-473-1500).

Hearing aids and hearing aid batteries: Easter Seals (419-241-2600).

Medicines: Toledo Area Humane Society (419-891-0705) accepts diabetic supplies, insulin, antibiotics, unopened bags of IV fluids, exam gloves, clean towels and blankets, bleach, detergent, and more (www.toledoareahumanesociety.org). Open daily, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., 1920 Indian Wood Circle, Maumee.

Plastic grocery bags: Barrels in the entrance of Kroger stores.

Rechargable batteries, cell phones, and ink-jet cartridges are recycled at many stores, including Office Max, Office Depot, and Best Buy. Some stores give a ream of paper or coupon in exchange for a cartridge. Home Depot and Lowes stores accept rechargable batteries.

Styrofoam packing peanuts and sometimes square blocks can be recycled at most packing/shipping stores. Info: 1-800-828-2214.

Thermometers, household thermostats, barometers, and blood pressure units often contain mercury, which has highly toxic vapors. Mercury also is sometimes found in home workshops. They’re accepted at the LCSWMD facility, or by calling Toledo’s division of environmental services, 419-936-3015. In Wood County, call Dave Heinlen, safety and health coordinator at Bowling Green State University, 419-372-2173, or check www.bgsu.edu/offices/envhs/mercury.htm. Since 1998, the BGSU program has recycled almost seven tons of mercury.

Wire hangers are reused by many dry cleaners, and some, such as Adams Cleaners, reuse plastic cleaner bags.

Yard waste won’t compost if dumped in a landfill due to a lack of oxygen. Take it to Clean Wood Recycling, 6506 West Bancroft St. or another site in the Keep Toledo/Lucas County Beautiful brochure, or compost it in your own backyard.

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