3 Questions for North Branford's HazWaste Committee: August

North Branford Patch: What's new with the North Branford Hazardous Waste and Recycling Committee?
NB HazWaste: September 7th will be our last monthly operation of the Town's Recycling Building as collections at that location will become quarterly and will no longer include paper products. We will continue to offer free electronics, cell phone, and rechargeable recycling events quarterly, along with the collection (for a fee) of empty helium and propane tanks. Additional items will be collected during our October 12th quarterly event - see the Town's website for details.

North Branford Patch: What's something residents should know?
NB HazWaste: Used Textiles: Donate, Recycle, Don't Throw Away. "In 2011, the average person in Connecticut threw away an average of 55 pounds of clothing, shoes, and linens - generating approximately 96,500 tons of trash. Ninety-five percent of these textiles could have been reused and recycled, saving disposal costs, creating jobs and realizing environmental benefits." Only a small percentage (approx. 5%) of donated or collected textiles is disposed. Please help increase the current textile recovery rate by getting the word out that all textiles (clean and dry) should be donated or collected for reuse and recycling. Visitwww.ct.gov/deep for more information.

North Branford Patch: What's your best back-to-school advice?
NB HazWaste: When you are cleaning out last year's student backpacks in preparation for going back-to-school, remember to recycle any extra paper in your blue recycling tote, or any unneeded books in the collection bin at the Town Recycling Center. However, if you find any leftover peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, you are on your own.  Even though we advise the Town on proper methods for disposing of "hazardous waste," we haven't found any good recycling options for that particular item – yet.

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