Recycling Tips
By Susan Wineland
Residents of Orange are eagerly anticipating the upcoming Shredding Day, which has become a much larger event on Saturday, April 27 (during Earth Day week) from 9 a.m. to noon at High Plains Community Center on Orange Center Road.
Organized by the Orange Recycling Committee, this event offers residents a convenient and responsible way to dispose of various household items while promoting sustainability and environmental consciousness. In addition, to show support for the community, residents may bring non-perishable food items for donation to local food pantries.
Held twice yearly for the last several years, this major recycling event is a highlight on the community calendar, offering a range of services aimed at facilitating responsible waste disposal. Residents are encouraged to gather their confidential personal documents, including tax papers, bank statements, medical records and other sensitive papers, for secure on-site shredding. This invaluable service, provided by Affordable Solutions of Orange, ensures that documents are disposed of securely, offering peace of mind to residents. As this free service is generously funded by the Rotary Club of Orange, residents may show their appreciation by donating to the Orange Rotary Club Scholarship Fund. Rotarians will be on hand to collect donations.
This year, the Orange Recycling Committee is proud to introduce a secure method of disposing of electronic devices. Recognizing the importance of responsible e-waste management, the committee has partnered with a local firm that wipes hard drives clean and breaks down electronic devices for their scrap metal value while ensuring landfill disposal of the remaining waste. Old cell phones, tablets, laptops and personal computer hard drives will be accepted with a suggested price of $5-$20 per item.
The event will also provide an opportunity for residents to part with old mattresses and box springs through the services of the Mattress Recycling Council’s “Bye Bye Mattress” team. Whether residents choose to bring their items to the event or opt for the convenient pickup service offered by volunteers from the Orange Lions Club (call Ken or Marianne at 203-795-3906 to arrange pickup), the disposal process is easy and accessible. This important service keeps our landfills and incinerators less crowded, as every part of each old mattress is recycled into new and useful products. Note that certain exclusions apply, including mattresses from futons, sofa beds or waterbeds; those with bed bugs; wet, damaged or excessively soiled mattresses; and sleeping bags or mattress pads/toppers.
In addition to these essential services, the Orange Community Women will be on hand (until 11:45 a.m.) to collect clothing and household goods, including used clothing, shoes, accessories, blankets, curtains, sheets, towels, stuffed animals, housewares, dishes, small appliances, home decor, toys, sporting goods, DVDs, CDs, tapes and knick-knacks. Residents are encouraged to bag or box their items appropriately for collection. These items will be sold to a local thrift shop and proceeds will be used to fund the group’s charitable work.
The Buy Nothing Orange group will host a “swap meet” where people can bring and take items for exchange at no cost. They will be under the pavilion from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. and will also be collecting non-perishable food for the Orange Food Bank and Orange Food2Kids.
Finally, April 27 is National Drug Take-Back Day. Members of the Orange Police Department and the Bethany Orange Woodbridge Drug & Alcohol Action Committee will be in front of High Plains Community Center from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. to discreetly accept any unused or expired medications and vape devices for proper disposal.
To ensure a smooth and organized experience for all participants, the Orange Recycling Committee emphasizes the importance of following signs and directions upon entering Tribute Way. Paper shredding and electronics collection will be located in the front parking lot; prescription drug collecting and mattress/box spring collection in the front of the community center; and food, clothing and household items collection at the upper pavilion.
Due to a conflict, the residential HazWaste disposal originally scheduled for the same date has been postponed and a new date was not available at press time.
With its focus on sustainability, community engagement, and responsible waste management, the Orange Recycling Committee’s Shredding Day promises to be a rewarding experience for residents. For more information and updates, residents are encouraged to visit orangerecycles.com or follow the event on Facebook at facebook.com/ORCinCT.
Susan Wineland is a member of the Orange Recycling Committee.