Recycling batteries

From: David Edge
Sent: Friday, April 25, 2008 8:46 AM
To: Tulsa - All
Subject: Recycling batteries

 

Headline TLO- A stylish cardboard box is on the kitchen window sill to place our old batteries, if you would.

 

Thank you

 

Courtesy of our green committee

 

Green office

From: Scott Hamilton
Sent: Wednesday, April 23, 2008 4:37 PM
To: Tulsa - All
Subject: Green office

A few notes from the green office committee:

1. Paper: Everyone seems to be using the recycling bins. Remember, we have boxes uses you can use at your desk to collect paper. They are about the size of a trash can. They are in the supply area, under the table. Let me know if we need to get more boxes.

2. Styrofoam: Everyone has quit using Styrofoam cups and has switched to ceramic mugs. If you need a clean cup, just get one out of the cabinet and put your dirty one in the dishwasher. The members of the green committee wash the dishes on Friday afternoons.

3. Cans: people are recycling cans by putting them in the container in the kitchen (thanks to Billy for that). There’s even a can crusher. When the bag gets full, Sara will take the cans to the Day Center for someone to recycle.

4. Please turn off lights and computers when you go home. If you are the last to leave, please turn off the light switches in the lobby.

5. Any interest in a cooperative vegetable garden (perhaps next year if it’s too late for next year)?

Tulsa - Green office

From: Scott Hamilton
Sent: Wednesday, April 02, 2008 9:36 AM
To: Tulsa - All
Subject: Green office info

1. Paper recycling: We now have 3 bins for recycling paper. They are located next to the copiers. The bins are for confidential and non-confidential paper. When the bins are full, we will call Midland Recycling. Midland will come get them, shred the paper and sell it for recycling. You CAN recycle file folders and staples in the bins. You CANNOT recycle newspapers, brown folders, phone books, or cardboard. Of course, don’t deposit non-paper items, like food, plastic, aluminum cans, toner cartridges, batteries, paint, propane canisters, flammable liquids, motor oil, household appliances, etc. If the bins get full, let Neta know. There are cardboard boxes in the supply area that you can use at your desk to collect paper and deposit it in the barrels. They’re the size of an under-the-desk trash can. If we run out, let Neta know and we can get some more.
2. Aluminum cans: Billy has provided a barrel for aluminum cans and a can crusher. It is in the kitchen. When you dispose of your cans, please put them in the barrel. You might rinse them out and crush them first. When the barrel is full, Sara will take the cans to the Day Center. The Day Center gives the cans to residents to sell.
3. Styrofoam cups: Please use ceramic cups for yourself, as well as for clients and other guests. The cups are located in the cabinet above the dishwasher. We have plenty of cups, but if we need more, let me know. When you are finished with your cup, put it in the dishwasher. The members of the green office committee will run the dishwasher and empty it on Friday afternoons.

Compact fluorescent light bulbs

Compact fluorescent light bulbs are changing the way people look at light.

They use 2/3rds less energy than regular light bulbs, last 10 times longer and produce 70% less heat. But, as always, there’s a catch.

[Left: Figures from January 2007.]

CFLs contain a very small amount of mercury, which helps the bulbs to be more efficient than standard incandescent bulbs. Mercury is a neurotoxin which is especially dangerous for fetuses and children. While no mercury is released while the bulb is in tact or being used, the disposal or breakage of such a bulb poses a potential health hazard.

400 million of these bulbs are used each year. That means 400 million are thrown away when they burn out. That small amount of mercury in each bulb adds up when that many are being broken in garbage cans and landfills.

When disposing of CFLs, don’t put them in your trash.

Instead, take the bulbs to a hazardous waste facility. The Oklahoma City facility is located at SW 15^th and Portland and is open Tuesday through Friday from 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday from 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. The center is free to Oklahoma City residents, but you will need your City water bill as proof of residence. Residents of The Village, Yukon, Tinker Air Force Base, Shawnee and Edmond can recycle their waste at the facility, but will be charged for the service through their municipality.

If a CFL bulb breaks in your home, follow these EPA guidelines to clean it up:

Before Clean-up: Vent the Room

1. Open a window and leave the room for 15 minutes or more.

2. Shut off the central forced-air heating/air conditioning system, if you have one.

Clean-Up Steps for Hard Surfaces

1. Carefully scoop up glass fragments and powder using stiff paper or cardboard and place them in a glass jar with metal lid (such as a canning jar) or in a sealed plastic bag.

2. Use sticky tape, such as duct tape, to pick up any remaining small glass fragments and powder.

3. Wipe the area clean with damp paper towels or disposable wet wipes and place them in the glass jar or plastic bag.

4. Do not use a vacuum or broom to clean up the broken bulb on hard surfaces.

Clean-up Steps for Carpeting or Rug:

1. Carefully pick up glass fragments and place them in a glass jar with metal lid (such as a canning jar) or in a sealed plastic bag.

2. Use sticky tape, such as duct tape, to pick up any remaining small glass fragments and powder.

3. If vacuuming is needed after all visible materials are removed, vacuum the area where the bulb was broken.

4. Remove the vacuum bag (or empty and wipe the canister), and put the bag or vacuum debris in a sealed plastic bag.

Disposal of Clean-up Materials

1. Immediately place all cleanup materials outside the building in a trash container or outdoor protected area for the next normal trash.

2. Wash your hands after disposing of the jars or plastic bags containing clean-up materials.

3. Check with your local or state government about disposal requirements in your specific area. Some states prohibit such trash disposal and require that broken and unbroken lamps be taken to a local recycling center.

Future Cleaning of Carpeting or Rug: Vent the Room During and After Vacuuming

1. For at least the next few times you vacuum, shut off the central forced-air heating/air conditioning system and open a window prior to vacuuming.

2. Keep the central heating/air conditioning system shut off and the window open for at least 15 minutes after vacuuming is completed.

By all means, don’t stop using CFLs because of the mercury. The bulbs are perfectly safe to use in your home. Just be sure you dispose of them properly. Either take them to the hazardous waste facility. If you must throw them in the trash, seal the bulb in two plastic bags before throwing them in the garbage.

Source – Lisa, http://blog.newsok.com/gogreen

Margaret Hamlett Shinn