Where do you take your used cell phones, unwanted furniture,  outdated computers or anything else that’s recyclable? Have any helpful hints to pass along about recycling?

     Stacie Johnson, education coordinator for the Cedar Rapids/Linn County Solid Waste Agency, is looking for both. Submit your ideas to Stacie at: SJohnson@solidwasteagency.org or give her a call at: (319) 377-5290 ext. 101 and you could be eligible to win a $50 gift certificate from the Habitat for Humanity ReStore in Hiawatha.

      Stacie is looking for those “secret” recycling locations in this area as she updates the Home & Business Recycling Companion.  She hopes to find recycling sites that aren’t mentioned in the companion, especially those well-kept, not-supposed-to-be secrets  - maybe a school that collects used cell phones or a business that accepts unwanted computers.

The Habitat for Humanity ReStore in Hiawatha is one place that both accepts and sells recyclable items. (Gazette photo/Liz Martin)

   Habitat’s ReStore, 725 North Center Point Rd., Hiawatha, is one of those spots that recycles overstocked, discontinued, new and used building materials donated by manufacturers, businesses, contractors and individuals. The materials are incorporated in the construction of Habitat homes or are sold to the general public at a discounted rate.  

   Stacie offered her own example of a helpful recycling hint: instead of throwing away peanut butter jars, use a couple slices of old bread to clean them out and set pieces of the peanut butter/bread outdoors on the ground for the birds. The jar is then easy to rinse and recycle.

    If you have a tip or “secret” place to submit, include your idea, name and contact information in the e-mail to Stacie and write: Recycling Contest in the subject line. E-mail is best, or give her a call at the number listed above. Leave your name and number if she’s not in. Ideas must be submitted before March 10, 2010, when Stacie will draw out one name as the winner of the gift certificate.

   In the meantime, Earth911 recently released its report on their top searched materials that people looked to recycle.

 Here were the top 10 products consumers looked to recycle in 2009 using Earth911’s Database:

1. Computers
2. Batteries
3. Televisions
4. Paint
5. Aluminum Cans
6. Used Motor Oil
7. CFLs
8. Glass
9. Fluorescent Lamps
10. Christmas Trees

 See the full report at:  http://earth911.com/blog/2010/02/08/weve-found-the-most-recycled-material-of-2009/