Happy Earth Day… Let’s Heal the Planet Together!

Here are some great ways that we can do NOW and EVERYDAY to help heal our planet…. for free!

E-recycling:

Meadowlark in Sparta has become an official e-recycle center.  Electronic waste is harmful to our environment. When we put it in our landfills, e-Waste can leak harmful toxins into our soil and water. You can help make a difference! Recycle your electronics (most any item with a cord or battery) and Comprenew will wipe all computer hard drives.

Comprenew is the recycle company and their mission is to inspire our community to live and work in a sustainable manner.  Any item you would like to recycle you can bring in and drop off in the tub by the washing machines in the beauty shop.       Meadowlark is located at 65 Ida Red (located behind McDonalds).

 Acceptable Items

 

Recycle Newspaper!

Visit the Sparta Lions Newspaper Recycle Truck to drop off your discarded newspapers!  Help the environment and help the Sparta Lions.  All the proceeds from the Recycle Truck are donated to children in the community that need eye-glasses.  The Recycle Truck is located at 108 N. State Street (across from Sparta Lanes).  ONLY Newspaper material may be collected at this site. 

Participate in Rotary Environmental Creek Clean Up Day! 

Each year, Sparta Rotary invites community members, business leaders, and organizations to lend a hand in cleaning up garbage and litter from the banks of Nash Creek.  By removing the potential contaminants from the banks of Nash Creek, they are stopping the potential pollution that affect aquatic ecosystems.  Nash Creek eventually pours into larger streams and rivers, like the Rogue River.  Eventually water from Nash Creek will make its way into Lake Michigan.  Any reduction in pollutants that we can do in Sparta, will make the waterways of West Michigan cleaner, too.  Take time to visit your favorite creek or rivers and clean up the garbage that will end up in our waterways.  Rotary Creek Clean up Day is Monday, April 26, 2010 from 3 – 6 pm.  Meet behind Rogers Hardware and bring gloves, boots, and prepare to help the environment!

RECYCLE Everything you can!

Where Can I Take Recyclables?

Kent County operates recycling drop off sites for their residents. The North Kent Transfer Station accepts plastics, paper, glass, metals, and cardboard. For more information call 1-888-217-2850 or 616-336-2570.

North Kent Transfer Station
2908 Ten Mile Rd., Rockford.

Monday thru Saturday
7:30 am to 5:00 pm
(excludes holidays)

Recyclables are not garbage; they are commodities we must sell to be made into new products.

Dirty materials cannot be sold and will become trash. Make sure recyclables are clean and free of liquids and food. Please follow all directions and include only those items listed below.

Glass

Clear and colored food and beverage glass containers.

Food and beverage containers.

Preparation: Rinse clean. Remove metal and plastic rings. Recycle lids separately.

Glass items not accepted: dishes, ceramics, light bulbs, mirrors, windowpanes, automobile glass, and other non-food and beverage glass.

Metal

Steel Cans

Food and beverage containers, empty aerosol cans.

Preparation: Rinse cans clean. Aerosol cans must be completely empty. Remove and discard caps and nozzles.

Steel items not accepted: bakeware, pots, pans, utensils, hangers, car parts or scrap metal, fencing, propane cylinders.

Aluminum Foil And Cans

Food and beverage (non-deposit) containers, foil, pie tins.

Preparation: Wash foil very clean, no food deposits or residue can remain. Rinse cans clean.

Aluminum items not accepted: foil backed paper, gum wrappers, foil wrapping paper, pots, pans, lawn furniture, siding, window frames and doors.

Plastic

Plastic items are often stamped with a number, 1 thru 7, placed inside a recycling triangle. The numbered triangle is usually located on or near the bottom of the plastic item. The number indicates what kind of plastic the item is made of, allowing us to sort the plastics accordingly.

Plastic Containers #1 through #7 (NO Styrofoam)

Milk jugs; water, detergent and shampoo bottles; butter tubs; yogurt cups; microwave food trays; plant flats & flower pots; peanut butter jars and other plastic containers stamped #1-#7 (excluding Styrofoam).

Preparation: Remove caps to allow the container to dry out. Wash all containers clean.

Plastic GROCERY BAGS #2 and #4

Preparation: Bags should be clean, dry and empty (no coupons, store receipts, or items inside bags). Grocery bags have the #2 or #4 printed on them, telling us what kind of plastic it is made from. Other plastic bags do not, so they should not be recycled.

Plastic items not accepted: bottles containing automotive fluids or hazardous materials (they cannot safely be rinsed); Styrofoam (cups, plates, peanuts, packaging materials); plastic film and other non-rigid plastic (like garbage bags, Ziptop bags, drycleaners bags, etc.)

Paper

Newspaper, Magazines, Brown Paper Bags, Junk Mail and Paperboard

Newspapers (including inserts); typing, writing, and computer paper; junk mail, envelopes, fliers; magazines & catalogs; brown paper bags; shoe boxes, cracker boxes and cereal boxes (paperboard).

Preparation: Place paper items in brown paper bags or place loose in appropriate drop site bin. Please do not put paper in plastic bags or cardboard boxes.

Paper items not accepted: pet food bags, milk & juice cartons, wrapping paper, tissue, Kleenex, napkins, paper towels, wax paper, used paper plates, paper with food or food stains, telephone books.

Corrugated Cardboard

Heavy shipping and packaging boxes with a ‘wavy’ inner layer.

Preparation: Remove all plastic liners and inserts, strapping, staples and wrapping. Flatten boxes.

Box types not accepted: boxes with glued-in Styrofoam or plastic packing; boxes with heavy staples; boxes with metal or plastic strapping.

Telephone books are not accepted for recycling because of the weight, bindings and space limitations in our sorting facility.

Electronics

Computers & accessories (keyboard, mouse, etc.), monitors, televisions, printers/plotters, fax machine, scanners, VCR, DVD, video game machines (Play Station, Game Boy), microwave, audio equipment, video camera, digital camera, networking gear, cordless telephone.

Electronic devices can be dropped off at the North Kent Transfer Station, the South Kent Landfill and the Materials Recycling Facility during normal business hours. This program is free of charge for Kent County residents.

Individuals may also drop off working electronics and non-working computers at a local Goodwill donation center.

Before you try to recycle an item not specifically addressed on this page, call our office at (616) 336-2570 ext. 0 to determine if the item can be recycled.

Including materials that are not listed can make the recyclable material unusable. For example, broken window glass thrown in with the other clear glass bottles and jars ruins the whole load. Manufacturers cannot process different types of glass together and there is no way to sort out window glass from container glass.

Do not take a chance on ruining valuable materials. When in doubt, throw it out!

Thank You for Recycling!

If you have additional Recycling Questions or would like more information on services and programs available through the Kent County Department of Public Works, please call (616) 336-2570.

Dispose of Hazardous Waste Correctly!

The average U.S. household can have as much as 100 pounds of hazardous waste stored throughout their house and garage. Improper disposal of these materials can contaminate drinking water, harm the environment, and create health hazards for you and your family. Simple alternatives can replace many hazardous substances. However, if you choose to use commercial products, make sure to dispose of them properly!

What Household Hazardous Waste Can I Dispose?

• Oil based paints and stains
• Paint thinner
• Pool chemicals
• Weed killers
• Insecticides & pesticides
• Cleaners
• Household batteries
•  Gasoline & kerosene
• Mercury & acids
• Automobile liquids
• Solvents

Where Can I Take My Household Hazardous Waste?

 To drop off your household hazardous waste, schedule an appointment with the Kent County Department of Public Works to participate in the free Household Hazardous Waste Collection Program for Kent County residents. To schedule an appointment, or for additional information, call 1-888-217-2850 or 616-336-2570. Appointments can be made at any of the four centers located in Kent County. For more information on this program visit: www.accesskent.com.

Hazardous Waste Center nearest to you: 

2908 Ten Mile Road, Rockford

Fridays, 9am-12 pm