Paint cans. Batteries. Old plastic bags. You don’t want them anymore, but you don’t want to just throw them out with the rest of the trash. Not to worry, there’s a responsible way to get rid of just about anything.

Photo by iStockphoto.com

Batteries: Return to certain battery retailers, including Longs, Radio Shack and Sam’s Club.

Books/magazines: Donate to senior citizens’ homes, doctor’s offices or libraries. Hagadone Printing Co., which prints this magazine and can be reached at 852-6348, accepts magazines, catalogs and even phone books.

Cell phones: Recycle them through the manufacturer or donate to local nonprofit organizations. To find out how, visit www.opala.org.

Computers (and other gadgets): Try the manufacturer, or, better yet, donate to charities like Kaneohe’s Hawaii Computers for Kids Program, 521-2259. Used printer ink cartridges (and even TVs) are accepted by Office Depot. Defunct iPod? Return it to the Apple Store for a same-day discount on a new one.

Compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs): Home Depot will take them.

Mattresses: Donate them to your local Goodwill or Salvation Army.

Photo by iStockphoto.com

Paint (and other toxic household substances): Call the City and County of Honolulu Recycling and Waste HHW Disposal Program information line at 527-5335.

Packing peanuts: They’re accepted for reuse at UPS stores.

Plastic shopping bags: Your nearest Safeway store will accept them.

When in doubt… If the items can’t be donated or returned to the manufacturer, check out www.earth911.org for a search-engine-style, comprehensive resource for places to recycle everything, according to where you live.

Sneakers, Nike or otherwise: Drop them off at Niketown, 943-6453. For more info on what your old shoes will be recycled into (such as tennis courts and playground surfaces), visit
www.nikereuseashoe.com.


Have questions or suggestions about living an ecofriendly life? Send them to Jenny at jennydj@hawaiihomeandremodeling.com.