Green Flash!!!

Overview

Environmental news and useful info on simple things you can do to conserve resources, improve our 'green' image, and help the Earth.

April, 2009

During the month of April, Spring Valley is serving as a drop-off site for a recycling efforts organized by the Prairie Woods Audubon group. Two common items that are often difficult to recycle but should not be thrown in the trash are being collected.
 
Cell Phones for Soldiers takes in old de-activated cell phones (the battery needs to be included or attached) which are refurbished and either resold or recycled. For every phone collected, a prepaid calling card worth 60 minutes is donated to servicemen and women serving overseas. This program was started by two Massachusetts teenagers and has resulted in over 500,000 prepaid calling cards being distributed to soldiers.
 
Household batteries are also being collected for recycling. All types of small rechargeable and non-rechargeable batteries (AA, AAA, C, D, 9-volt, hearing aid/watch/clock batteries) will be sent to a company in Michigan that recycles the batteries. All batteries must have the ends taped (an EPA requirement when mailed).
 
These items can be dropped off at Spring Valley's Vera Meineke Nature Center until the end of April. The Nature Center is open seven days a week from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.