Go green with spring cleaning.

Byline: RECYCLING By Sarah Grimm For The Register-Guard

Question: What do old sneakers, couch cushions, CD discs, broken vacuums and patio furniture have in common?

Answer: They can all be recycled in our community. In fact, we should change our name to RecycleTown USA. Seems every time I turn around, I learn of yet another material we can recycle.

Spring is in the air and the itch to clean up and clear out clutter is afoot. By taking advantage of the many recycling options available in our community, not only do we save money on disposal costs, but we also conserve the natural resources of clean air and water, energy and nutrients that make up our life support system.

If that old couch or comfy chair is turned away by local thrift stores, don't dump it yet. Offer it for free on one of the many freebie listings available in our area. The Register-Guard has a `Free For All' listing in the classified section. Craig's list also has a freebie section, Freecycle.org has a Eugene page and Eugenefreerecycle (a free yahoo group e-mail list) is going strong with nearly 2,000 members.

Even if those options don't work, before hauling the thing to the dump, be sure to remove the cushions and take them to St. Vincent de Paul. All clean (no urine) and dry foam cushioning is useful to someone. Predominantly it goes into carpet padding production and industrial applications. All mattresses, too, are recycled. Take them to the Glenwood Central Receiving Station or directly to St. Vincent de Paul for a lower fee. Last year alone, St. Vincent de Paul refurbished and resold - or recycled - more than 22,500 mattresses.

Ready to clean out your closet? Most people don't know that all items made from cloth - no matter how tattered - are recyclable through St. Vincent de Paul (and many other thrift stores). They accept clothing of any kind in any condition, and then sort it for various grades of reuse and various grades of rag and industrial recycling markets. The same is true for shoes - singles or pairs, bags, belts hats, etc., all will find a useful second life somewhere.

De-cluttering the garage is a bit more difficult. If you're like me, there are a dozen broken items waiting for repair or a new home. A vacuum, a can opener, an alarm clock, an old telephone. All these and more can be taken to NextStep Recycling at 2101 W. 10th Ave. If it plugs in or runs on batteries, they'll take it. NextStep Recycling accepts all things computer-related as well - the manuals and instructions, the cords, parts and devices, CD discs and even the packaging.

While you're in the garage, don't forget the best way to deal with unwanted chemicals is not to put them in the trash or down the drain. Lane County's Household Hazardous waste program will take unwanted cleaning, gardening and construction or hobby chemicals and safely recycle or dispose of them. Just call 682-3111 to make an appointment on Thursdays or two Saturdays a month.

Now check behind the garage, where there may be broken or skuzzy patio furniture, old buckets, plant pots and trays, play structures and wading pools. This category of durable plastic is a new favorite of Lane County's most prevalent plastics recycler, Weyerhaeuser Recycling. They accept all this and more, free of charge at their recycling center, 3425 E. 17th Ave. in Glenwood (it's near the Lane County Glenwood Central Receiving Station).

BRING Recycling is still the best place to take any reusable building and construction item, house parts or outdoor supplies.

Cleaning and de-cluttering is satisfying and productive for a healthy home. The next step is to work to avoid the buildup of junk and stuff to begin with. Selective shopping, just like careful disposing, will save your family money while contributing toward a safe and healthy environment.

This column is provided by Lane County Recycling. Sarah Grimm is a waste reduction specialist with Lane County Public Works, Waste Management.