Enhancing the environment and beauty of Newaygo County

In addition to our regular business hours, we now have bins outside the center for drop-off service. People may drop off their paper, plastic, glass and tin recyclables at any time. During our regular business hours we can accept trash, deposit pop bottles, batteries, and cell phones in addition to the normal recyclables.

• We accept electronics at the Fremont Center. Items include TVs, VCR/DVDs, radios, copiers, microwaves, stereos, computer equipment, etc. Any device powered by a battery or cord can be recycled. We charge $0.30/pound to cover our costs of storage, transportation and processing. We continue to accept computer electronics, but we recommend recycling them at Goodwill stores where they are accepted at no charge.
• We accept cell phones, working or not. There is no charge to recycle them.
• We accept household batteries free of charge.

Freecycle™ Network is available on the internet at freecycle.org (don't confuse it with freecycle.com, another site). Here local people can list items that they want to get or to give away for free.  This is a worldwide network made up of people who are giving and getting stuff for free in their own towns.  Each local group is run by a local volunteer moderator. Membership is free.  You simply go to the site and sign up online.  The group does have a couple of rules -- everything must be fee, legal, and appropriate for all ages, and there is no trading.  The moderator keeps an eye on things to keep people accountable and aware of the rules.

Newaygo County has a group of freecyclers listed under Newaygo. It has 535 members.  Freecycling is an interesting concept, especially in our consumer-based culture.  You might find the site useful, or at least interesting.

There are several places in the county that accept and recycle used motor oil at no cost.  We have been compiling a list.  In Fremont: Tire Wholesalers, Fremont Rapid Lube, Tractor Supply Co., Dave's Auto Clinic, Miles Automotive. In Newaygo: Super Care Quick Lube & Car Wash.

We have purchased five Clear Stream™ special event recycling bins that we are loaning out for large group gatherings, festivals, wedding receptions, reunions, etc.  The bin has a metal frame that holds a plastic garbage bag. The plastic-molded top has holes to drop in plastic bottles and aluminum cans.  The bin is collapsible and easily transported.  When used next to a normal refuse container, it gives people the choice to recycle their bottles and cans.  People who check out the bins are responsible for getting the recyclables to our recycling center and for returning the bins. We provide the plastic bags. We have already used them at the Fremont Rotary Concert and at the National Baby Food Festival. Friends of Recycling members are welcome to check one or more out to use at a special event.  Call 924-5822 to reserve one.

Recycled Plastic Tote Bag

There is an internet site, www.marloscrochetcorner.com, that has instructions for making tote bags from a combination of yarn and plastic grocery bags. Look under the Free Patterns menu and scroll down to purses for the pattern.  Each tote bag uses about 14 plastic bags that are cut into strips and woven into the pattern. It's a great way to "Close the Loop," reusing material. Some of our Friends' members have made and used these, and they look and work great!