E-waste collected for recycling.

Where can you recycle electronics?

The CVSWMD will hold the following e-waste recycling collections in 2010 to serve District member communities. Please note: Collection fees apply.

• Month of June — Tunbridge Transfer Station. Saturdays, 9am to 3pm
• August 14 –National Life parking lot in Montpelier. 9am to 1pm. Also collecting books and textiles at this event. Fees apply for e-waste, but books and textiles will be accepted for free.
• August 28 — Hardwick Town Garage, in conjunction with the CVSWMD Household Hazardous Waste Collection. Hours: 9am to 1pm
• September 11 — Bradford Town Garage, in conjunction with the CVSWMD Household Hazardous Waste Collection. Hours: 9am to 1pm

E-waste recycling is also available via the following businesses. Please contact the businesses directly for fee information and directions to their stores/facilities:

• Casella (Montpelier) — 223-7045
• Computer Barn (Barre) — www.computerbarnltd.net; 802-476-6800
• Small Dog Electronics (Waitsfield and S. Burlington) — www.smalldog.com; 800-511-MACS

There are three ways to do so:

1. Upgrade (vs. replace) existing systems

New operating systems and software sometimes necessitate the purchase of new computers. But sometimes we just need to upgrade our existing system to get a bit more life out of it. Some more RAM or a new hard drive might do the trick. Upgrading will keep all of the resources that went into making your computer in use longer.

Wondering how to get an upgrade done? Call computer dealers for service recommendations, or see the CVSWMD Reuse Business Database for some of the businesses in the region.

2. Re-think whether you really need new.

Sure, it’s tempting to want the most up-to-date cell phone, digital camera, or other electronic device with all the bells and whistles. But before you rush out to buy it, really think about why you want it — and if you really need it.

• Have your needs changed since you purchased the phone or camera you have now?
• If you really only need the new feature once or even occasionally, could you borrow the device from a friend or locate a business that might offer the service? For example, print and copy shops offer scanning and printing services that might reduce your need for those electronic items.
• Businesses that sell quality used electronics might also have what you need.
• TV converter boxes take your analog TV to HD, so there’s no need to run out and buy a new TV. Converter boxes are sold where TVs are sold.

3. Donate or sell usable electronics to those who can use them.

Just because you can’t use the computer system, scanner, or camera anymore, doesn’t mean it’s not useful to someone else. Contact local schools, literacy programs, and non-profits to see if they can use it.

A variety of online electronics sales options now exist. Check out the following companies, all of which guarantee that the items you sell or donate to them will be reused or responsibly recycled.

• Gazelle.com
• NextWorth.com
• MyBoneYard.com

Or, search the CVSWMD Reuse Business Database for area businesses that buy and sell quality reuseable goods of all kinds, including electronics.

Clean out your closets and pick up some new-to-you items at this event! Drop off clean clothing, linens, and rags on the first day. Please sort by men, women, children, linens, and rags. No hangers or boxes, please!
Pick up great items for FREE on the second day.

Thousands of People – Tons of Textiles

The Clothing Drop ‘N Swap is one of the area’s most popular events! Thousands of people have participated since it began in 1993, dropping off tons of textiles and taking tons of clothing home. The clothing that remains is sent to U.S. and overseas communities for reuse and recycling.

Fall 2009 Drop ‘N Swap —
October 30 & 31

At Norwich University

The Center for Civic Engagement at Norwich University will hold a Clothing Drop ‘N Swap Friday, October 30 & Saturday, October 31, 2009.

Drop off clothing, linens, shoes, bags, coats and rags on Friday the 30th between noon and 6pm. (Please separate clothing from rags and label bags “men’s,” “women’s,” “children’s,” and “rags.”)

Pick up items for FREE on Saturday the 31st between 9am and 3pm.

For more information, directions, and to sign up to volunteer, call the Center for Civic Engagement at Norwich University at 802-485-2670 or e-mail: 4achange@norwich.edu

The Lawrence Walbridge Reuse Fund (LWRF) was established in 1997 in memory of Lawrence Walbridge, a CVSWMD Board Supervisor from Williamstown, Vermont. Lawrence served on the CVSWMD Board from 1990-1996, where he was distinguished by his untiring commitment to District reuse programs, education, and a waste-less ethic that he embodied in daily practice.

The grant program is designed to provide technical and financial support to individuals and new or developing reuse businesses. It also supports endeavors that educate the public about the social, economic, and environmental benefits of reuse.

Grant applications are reviewed on an ongoing basis during CVSWMD Reuse Fund Committee meetings.

• Download the Grant Guidelines
• Download the Grant Application Form

For more information, please contact Gwen Lyons-Baker at 802-229-9383 ext.111 or via e-mail: schoolcompost@cvswmd.org

Projects We’ve Funded

Here are a few projects that have recently been awarded funding through this program.

• Good Beginnings of Central Vermont-awarded funding to assist with the cleaning and storage of reusable clothing and furniture to be distributed to families who need them who are also taking part in the organization’s program. The funding will also help support volunteer training for this reuse program.
• Sorella Luna-a product line of the Vermont Diaper Company; awarded funding to educate Central Vermont women on the reuse of menstrual products, to market the products to Central Vermont women, and to provide product samples to Central Vermont women.

Resources * Money * Landfill Space

Each step involved in making a product – from manufacturing through marketing – creates waste. Then there’s the waste produced when we simply throw it away. Reuse, on the other hand, means finding a place to take your unwanted items so someone else can use them, and shopping for previously owned items that fit your needs. It means keeping usable and useful items out of the waste stream and keeping all of the resources that go into making the products in use.

CVSWMD Reuse Resources

• Check out our Reuse Business Database for businesses that buy and sell reused items.
• Join Freecycle, a free exchange network with regional coverage
• Find out about the next area Clothing Drop N’ Swap
• Looking for funding for a project that would help increase reuse in the region? Check into the CVSWMD Reuse Opportunity Grants