In the Spirit of Giving
What do you do with your old eyeglasses when you need a new prescription? Never plan to wear that frilly bridesmaid’s dress again? “One man’s trash is another’s treasure.” In the spirit of giving, may I suggest some places to “recycle” a number of items of value.
Getting rid of items you never use can be very cathartic. And we all know the adage, “One man’s trash is another’s treasure.” In the spirit of giving, may I suggest some places to “recycle” a number of items of value.
Okay, four eyes. What do you do with your old eyeglasses when you need a new prescription? Lions Club locations across Oregon and United for Sight (international in scope) help you help others see better. The Lions Club and OHSU Audiology Service also accept used hearing aids to help you help others hear better.
Never plan to wear that frilly bridesmaid’s dress again? Abby’s Closet (in West Linn), Brides Against Breast Cancer (headquartered in Portland), Operation Fairy Dust, and Catherine’s Closet match formal dresses with high school girls who don’t want to pay an arm and a leg to go to prom or with women who would like to keep the cost of their wedding under control.
If you upgrade your cell phone, don’t trash your old one (they contain dangerous toxins). It can find a second life through the Portland Women’s Crisis Line, YWCA, Special Olympics, and the Wireless Foundation. 911cellphonebank.org has drop-off locations in Portland, Oregon City, Ontario, Gold Beach and Pendleton.
Used computers can be taken to Free Geek in Portland and Next Step Recycling, MacRenewal or NetCorps in Eugene. Stay tuned for a new program, Oregon E-Cycles, which will take effect on January 1, 2009. It will provide for free recycling of computers and electronic gear at locations throughout the state.
It’s easy to donate an old car to a charitable cause, including American Lung Association; Boys and Girls Clubs of Corvallis, Lebanon, and Sweet Home; Easter Seals; Goodwill; Oregon Humane Society; Portland Rescue Mission; SOLV, etc. To find what should be a pretty complete list, check out DonateACar2Charity or GiveCars.com – both help you find local groups that accept donated cars.
What ideas do you have for recycling items that end up helping those in need?
