Top Five Things You Can Recycle

Recycling is more than separating glass from tin at the curbside before it is taken to the dump. It’s a mindset to give new life to every day objects we no longer need. In Arlington, try advertising items you might throw away on Freecycle.org, Craigslist.org or donate to thrift stores. You’ll be surprised just how true it is that “one man’s trash is another man’s treasure.” Here are five things you might not think about recycling, yet will change someone’s life for the better.

1. Thermometers: The glass, mercury thermometer in your medicine cabinet can become a hazard if broken. You can trade it your old mercury thermometers and exchanging them for new digital devices. Bring your old glass thermometers to make the trade at the during business hours.  
2. Compost: Recycle leaves, grass, food scraps and paper towels to create garden soil. Compost bins can be purchased at the DPW for $40.
3. Packing Materials: Bags, cardboard boxes, bubble wrap, packing peanuts and padded envelopes can be used many times - or you can take them to shipping centers like or the .
4. Clothes:  Goodwill accepts used clothing at its donation center on 905 Massachusetts Ave. in Arlington and so does the Little Fox Shop at the Fox Library, 17 Mass. Ave.  If you would like to make some money on your old clothes, hold a yard sale or sell them on eBay, or at one of the many local consignment shops in Arlington, including Pink Dolly and Porch and Wardrobe.
5. Old Computers, Used Electronics and Office Equipment: The East West Education Development Foundation collects donations of used computers, software and accessories. For more information, contact Wayne D. King or Stephen Farrell at (617) 442-7448. Staples in Medford offers options for recycling computers and office technology products, ink and toner cartridges, cell phones and other personal electronics and rechargeable batteries.