Spring has sprung, and many of us want to get rid of our accumulated clutter and start the new season with a clean(er) slate. While some people don’t mind having a disorganized environment, most people would agree that getting rid of papers, broken and seldom-used items makes us feel better about our home environment.
When cleaning out your home this spring, you’ll want to be mindful about how much stuff you are putting out at the curb for garbage pickup. Before automatically placing things in trash bags, consider whether they can be recycled first.
Electronics and Appliances Can be Recycled
Rather than placing electronics and appliances out with your garbage, separate them and take them to be recycled. If they are in good working order, you can donate them to the Goodwill.
If these items are no longer working, arrange to drop them off at your local electronics or special materials recycling location. Their components may be recyclable, and the copper in the cord can definitely be reused.
Toyota Develops Technology to Recycle Copper in Wiring Harnesses
Toyota Motor Corp. has been working with several partner firms in Japan to develop what it has claimed to be the first technology in the world to recycle copper in wiring harnesses. The automaker has developed a method that can produce copper with a purity level of 99.96 percent from the wiring taken from automobiles.
When wiring harnesses are removed from vehicles using conventional methods, it is very difficult to separate the copper from the fuse box and the other components. In 2010, Toyota and the other firms successfully developed a mechanical sorting method that is designed to prevent contamination from small impurities. Trial production has already started, and Toyota’s partner companies say that annual production using this method will increase to approximately 1,000 tons in 2016.
Consider Recycling Your Old Vehicle this Spring
If you have an older vehicle that is past its prime and, you may want to consider donating it to Carcone’s Auto Recycling. You will be supporting The Linden Fund, a registered charity which provides equipment for Neonatal Intensive Care Units.
The parts that can be reused will be removed from the vehicle and salvaged. The metal will be recycled, and you will receive a tax receipt within 60 days for the value of your car.
