Although the weather widget on my computer shows that it’s currently 25 degrees — the spring is almost here!
This week, I saw a very picturesque view of Central Park — a bright afternoon sunlight, dogs pulling their owners while running toward the park, kids in their hockey team uniforms, spirals of birds flying, and people giving unconditional smiles. Central Park brings so much energy.
The colorful spring is a great time to renew and refresh our homes and studios (we have so much stuff). It’s awesome when we find ways to help people and the environment at the same time. Here is an eclectic group of interesting organizations and websites trying to make a difference.
Art Materials and Books
You can donate art materials to local schools, and children’s art programs at museums and universities. We all probably have friends that teach art in local schools and know how limited their resources are.
A great place to donate art materials is Materials for the Arts. They provide “New York City’s arts and cultural organizations, public schools and community arts programs with the supplies they need to run and expand their programs.”
The pioneers at Golden Paints sell recycled paint which is a pretty cool concept. Their website has helpful information on how to recycle paint.
Housing Works accepts donations of books and all usable and resalable items. Housing Works “strives to ensure that homeless and low-income people living with HIV/AIDS and their families have adequate housing, food, social support, drug treatment, health care, and employment.”
Running Shoes and Bicycles
You can donate your used running shoes at Jack Rabbit Sports. The shoes are sent to people in Africa.
Nike’s Reuse-A-Shoe “is where worn-out athletic shoes of any brand are collected, processed and recycled into material used in sports surfaces like basketball courts, tennis courts, athletic fields, running tracks and playgrounds for young people around the world.”
Brooks company makes fantastic running shoes. Now, they have created the BioMoGo, the world’s first biodegradable midsole (it biodegrades 50 times faster). The new Trance 8 shoes with the BioMoGo midsole will be available in July 2008.
Recycle-A-Bicycle “is an innovative, fun youth training and environmental education initiative that has taken root in New York City public schools and respected after-school youth programs. Recycle-A-Bicycle promotes everyday bicycle use, and it is a great place to learn bicycle mechanics, interact with positive, forward-thinking NYC youth.”
Computers and Equipment
Per Scholas “is an organization that brings computers to low-income children and families at the lowest possible price, trains community residents to gain employment as computer technicians, and provides environmentally responsible recycling of end-of-life computer equipment.”
Apple’s iPod and Cell Phone Recycling Program “offers free and environmentally friendly disposal of iPods and cell phones — regardless of the manufacturer or model.”
The Verizon Wireless Hopeline Program “refurbishes and recycles donated cell phones to benefit local survivors of domestic violence.”
A lot of manufacturers provide instructions, packaging and free postage to recycle those weird looking printer and copier cartridges. Cartridges are refilled and reused.
General Recycling
In the last couple of months, I’ve noticed people in my neighborhood bring their own bags to the grocery store. I’m trying to do the same and although it’s a small contribution, it feels great. When shopping at Whole Foods, you can get refunds of at least 5 cents for each reusable bag you bring to the store. By Earth Day (April 22), they will eliminate plastic grocery bags all together. For more information check their Bring Your Own Bag site.
Other helpful sites are Earth 911, LIME’s Guide to Recycling Everything and Freecycle, “a global grassroots and entirely nonprofit movement of people who are giving (& getting) stuff for free in their own towns. It’s all about reuse and keeping good stuff out of landfills.”
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