The Orange Recycling Committee has announced the next paper shredding and mattress recycling event, to be held Saturday, April 10 from 9 a.m. to noon at the front parking lot of High Plains Community Center. The committee will be joined by the Mattress Recycling Council, who will collect used mattresses and box springs.
The secure, on-site paper shredding service will be handled by Affordable Solutions, owned and operated by Orange resident Joe Johnston. Residents may bring bags (preferably paper, not plastic) or boxes filled with documents for shredding. Volunteers from the Orange Recycling Committee will deposit them into the shredding truck. Residents who want their boxes or containers returned should tell a volunteer.
Items that can be disposed of include tax papers, bills, receipts, statements and documents that contain personal, financial and/or medical information. There is no need to remove staples or elastic bands, but clips should be removed for reuse. Paper that is already shredded, newspapers, notebooks, plastic folders and other papers and mail that can go in the regular residential recycling bins should not be brought for shredding.
Residents are asked to put documents in their trunk, wait in line, and pop the trunk when it is their turn. To keep this event as contactless as possible, residents should stay in their vehicles. Wearing a mask is requested.
Residents may also bring mattresses and box springs for recycling. This free service is run through the Bye Bye Mattress program. Dry mattresses of all sizes and box springs will be accepted. However, some items cannot be accepted, including mattresses from futons/sofa beds or waterbeds; mattresses infested with bed bugs; wet, damaged or excessively soiled mattresses; and sleeping bags or mattress pads/toppers. For residents who need assistance, members of the Orange Lions Club will pick up mattresses and box springs from residences if they are put are outside and dry or in a garage for easy access; volunteers will not enter individual homes. Anyone interested in this pickup service should contact Ken Lenz
at 203-795-3906. The fee for pick-up is $10 per mattress or box spring. Payment is by cash or check made out to Orange Lions Charities, and all proceeds are considered a charitable donation.
Residents may also bring old clothing and shoes to deposit in the Simple Recycling bin near the back of the community center. This bin is available 24/7.
“We are very excited to once again partner with other town groups, the Rotary Club of Orange and the Orange Lions Club, to offer these important environmental services to residents,” said Orange Recycling Committee Chair Mitch Goldblatt. “This is a fun event that gives volunteers and residents an opportunity to work together for a cleaner and more sustainable planet, even during a pandemic.”