Recycling Resources
Southern California Edison – refrigerators & freezers
Not only will they pick up your fridge or freezer for free, but they will also give you some cash for it!
LA County Department of Public Works
Every county probably has a website like this for it’s recycling information…
City of Glendale Public Works
Every city probably has a website like this for it’s recycling information – if your city is like Glendale, you will be able to schedule a free curb-side pick-up for any big, bulky items
National Council of Jewish Women, Los Angeles
One of the best thrift shop operations in Los Angeles – they will itemize your donations for you, donations are tax-deductible, they will pick up large donations for free 7 days a week, they will provide free packing and pick up for donated estates. All items must be in good working condition. Outlets in: Los Angeles, West Hollywood, Van Nuys & Canoga Park.
St. Vincent de Paul Society
A complete listing of their thrift stores nationwide – often stores will offer pick-up services as well.
The Internet Consumer Recycling Guide
A starting point for folks in the U.S. and Canada with regular household quantities of materials to recycle.
Electronic Recycling
[Note: keep in mind that shipping costs involved in electronic donations are usually tax-deductible as well. Have them included in your receipt.]
ShareWare
Free programs to wipe your hard drive clean before you donate it
California Recycles
A socially conscious electronic waste management company with a drop off center near Santa Monica. You can call to inquire about pick-ups as well.
LA County Department of Public Works
Every county probably has a website like this for it’s recycling information…
City of Glendale Public Works
Every city probably has a website like this for it’s recycling information – if your city is like Glendale, you will be able to schedule a free curb-side pick-up for any big, bulky items
Computer Recycling Center – used laptops dead or alive!
They pay your ground shipping cost to donate laptops and laptop parts (MAC Powerbook 1400 / Windows Pentium & NEWER only) – also on this site is info about destroying your personal info before computer donation or recycling
The National Cristina Foundation – working computers and laptops
For when you are upgrading your computer: this foundation will match your working computer with non-profit groups that provide job training for the disabled and give you a tax deduction.
Rechargeable Battery Recycling Corporation – cell phones and rechargeable batteries
The place to go to find out how to keep rechargeable batteries from portable electronic devices out of our nation’s solid waste stream.
Collective Good – used cell phones, pagers & PDAs
They refurbish small electronics for donation to the charity of your choice from their list of charities serving developing countries.
Shelter Alliance – used cell phones
They recycle and reprogram phones for donation to domestic violence shelters (bonus: if you gather 5 or more cell phones, they will send you a postage-pre-paid mail-in kit.)
Phones For Life – used cell phones
They re-program used cell phones to dial only 911 and distribute them to seniors and the disabled with no monthly fees
Donation Resources
Women’s Rural Advocacy Programs – clothing, toys, bath products
Many women’s shelters accept donations – here you can find a list of US domestic violence programs and shelters organized by state
Lions Club International – used eye glasses
The Lions are recognized worldwide for their service to the blind and visually impaired.
LensCrafters – used eye glasses
Drop off your old glasses at any LensCrafters store and they will make them good as new and deliver them to those in need in developing countries.
Shelter Alliance – used cell phones
They recycle and reprogram phones for donation to domestic violence shelters (bonus: if you gather 5 or more cell phones, they will send you a postage-pre-paid mail-in kit.)
Phones For Life – used cell phones
They re-program used cell phones to dial only 911 and distribute them to seniors and the disabled with no monthly fees
Dress For Success – used women’s business attire
They accept donations of interview-appropriate business attire to help with their mission of advancing low-income women’s economic and social development and to encouraging self-sufficiency through career development and employment retention.
The Mr. Holland’s Opus Foundation – used musical instruments
Based in Sherman Oaks, CA. To inquire about donating an instrument, contact the Programs Director, Tricia Steel at tricia@mhopus.org
- Change a light.
Replacing one regular light blub with a compact fluorescent light bulb will save 150 pounds of carbon dioxide a year. - Drive less.
You’ll save one pound of carbon dioxide for every mile you don’t drive. - Recycle more.
You can save 2,400 pounds of carbon dioxide per year by recycling just half of your household waste. (If you have a house with a yard, consider composting.) - Check your tires.
Keeping your tires inflated properly can improve gas mileage by more than 3%. Every gallon of gasoline saved keeps 20 pounds of carbon dioxide out of the atmosphere. - Use less hot water.
It takes a lot of energy to heat water. Use less hot water by installing a low-flow showerhead (350 pounds of CO2 saved per year) and washing your clothes in warm or cold water (500 pounds saved per year) - Avoid products with a lot of packaging.
You can save 1,200 pounds of carbon dioxide if you reduce your garbage by 10%. - Adjust your thermostat.
Moving your thermostat up just 2 degrees down in winter and just 2 degrees up in summer could save about 2,000 pounds of carbon dioxide. - Plant a tree.
A single tree will absorb one ton of carbon dioxide over its lifetime. - Turn off electronic devices – completely.
Simply by completely turning off your television, DVD player, stereo, and computer when you’re not using them will save thousands of pounds of carbon dioxide a year. (Go and feel your DVD player when it is not it use – it’s hot! Because it is still plugged in it is using energy and giving off heat.) - Spread the word.
