Environment

“Donate” revisited

|Tony Hodgdon, New Gloucester Environmental Resources Committee|

In 2019 the New Gloucester Environmental Resources Committee created a display at the town library titled “Donate,” focused on the benefits of reusing and recycling: using things that someone else doesn’t need, getting rid of things you don’t need, and keeping stuff out of junk heaps and landfills. At the end of this article, you will find internet links that can provide you with more detailed information. In some cases, the ongoing pandemic has dictated restrictive procedures.

Operating hours of the New Gloucester Transfer Station remain the same as they were before the pandemic:  Tuesday and Thursday from 9:00 to 7:00, Friday from 9:00 to 2:00, and Saturday from 9:00 to 5:00. You can recycle most types of plastic except plastic bags, clean paper, newspaper, magazines, cans, glass, cardboard, metals, batteries, and light bulbs. Newspapers can also go to a humane society or animal shelter.

Plastic bags can be recycled and returnable bottles and cans can be redeemed at your local grocery store. Another choice for returnables is Twisted Nickel in Upper Gloucester open 9:00 to 12:00 and 1:00 to 5:00 Monday through Saturday, closed on Sunday. If you wish, you can donate your refund to New Gloucester Parks and Recreation.

Furniture Friends and Habitat for Humanity Restore provide donated furniture to people in need. Both accept gently used furniture and volunteer help. Habitat for Humanity Restore accepts donations of new or gently used appliances, building materials, and other items. Proceeds from sales support Habitat for Humanity.

Maine Tool Library lends tools for home projects. They accept donations of quality hand or electric tools in good condition and cash. Gas-powered tools area not accepted. Volunteer help is appreciated. Portland Gear Hub accepts donations of bicycles, bicycle components, and a variety of outdoor gear. They also have a list of items they will not accept, so check on their web site.

Paint can be recycled at PaintCare and mercury thermostats at Thermostat Recycling Corporation.

Ruth’s Reusable Resources receives and gives school supplies.

Check out these links for more information:

FreeCycle: https://wiki.freecycle.org/Main_Page

Furniture Friends: https://furniturefriends.org

Greater Androscoggin Humane Society: https://gahumane.org

Habitat for Humanity ReStores: https://www.habitat.org/restores

Maine Tool Library: http://portlandmainetoollibrary.org

Paint Care: https://www.paintcare.org

People’s Housing Coalition of Portland: https://www.facebook.com/Peoples-Housing-Coalition-of-Portland-116499446396307/

Portland Gear Hub: https://portlandgearhub.org

Ruth’s Reusable Resources: https://ruths.org

Thermostat Recycling Corporation: https://www.thermostat-recycle.org

Twisted nickel: https://www.facebook.com/Twisted-Nickels-Redemption-Center-831777753517367/