Mary Ann & Ben Wilson

Hello Everyone,

I am pleased to introduce my buddy Mary Ann and her guest post on Recycling.  She and her husband, Ben, are some of the most awesome DoGooders around.  Thanks to Mary Ann for taking the time to share her thoughts.  Enjoy!

R-E-C-Y-C-L-E: find out what it means to me…

Greetings, dogooded-ones!  I’m Mary Ann Wilson, fan of Chappy and loyal blog-reader, here to share one of my family’s favorite ways of doing good.

One thing I’ve come to realize in my brief adult life is that doing good is so much easier when it is convenient.  My family always recycled, largely because the bright blue bin in our side yard had a standing date with the City of Homewood.  In these days of yore, we dutifully sorted our plastics, newspaper, and aluminum, set them on the curb on Thursday morning, and retrieved our empty bin by the end of that same day.  And as we returned our blue bin to its rightful place, we knew Mother Earth was smiling upon us.

That was then.  I currently reside in the City of Birmingham, which has many perks (how many cities can boast of four mayors in just over two months?), but curbside recycling is not one of them.  Now, when the trash can used for recycling (I have been provided with no blue bin) is full, I have to make the trek to the Birmingham Drop-Off Recycling Center on 1^st Avenue North.  As a busy and impatient person, I initially regard this recycling trip as a chore: another box on an interminable list of mindless to-dos.  However, my visits to the Drop-Off Recycling Center frequently become high points in my day, and they never fail to help me feel renewed myself.

The Drop-Off Recycling Center is run by the Alabama Environmental Council (www.aeconline.org), which is the oldest environmental group in the state.  While this particular site has taken recyclable items for many years, only in the past ten years has the AEC received the financial support to implement some very enjoyable upgrades.  First, you have friendly site-supervisors who can help you sort your items and answer any questions you may have.  Second, there are individuals completing community service hours who will unload, sort, and distribute your recyclables to their appropriate bins (this can be very helpful if you only have time for a stop-and-drop during your lunch hour).  Third, the 70’s funk music blaring in the background will put anyone in the mood to reduce, reuse, and recycle.  With Herbie Hancock in the air, you begin to see how this clearly surpasses a pick-up from the dry-cleaners.

While all these factors contribute to a great break from a usual daily routine, there’s something a bit more essential that makes my visits to the Drop-Off Recycling Center so delightful.  Nowhere else in my city have I found a place where community interest is so evident, palpable, and normal.  No matter what kind of car you pull up in, whether you’re sorting plastics in your best suit or your worst pair of overalls, you have a sense that you’re taking part in an important activity that is bigger than yourself, and that all of us in the community are in it together.  So while it still takes an extra trip down-town, rather than curb-side pick-up, I’m actually more than happy to make the trade.

Here’s a bit of info so you, too, can take advantage of our great local Drop-Off Recycling Center:

Address:

What the Drop-Off Recycling Center Takes:

• Glass (only place in Central Alabama!)
• #1 and #2 Plastics, without lids
• All paper, cardboard, etc.
• Mixed metal
• Electronics and batteries (part of a Technical Knock-Out Program)

Cost:

• Free!  However, there is a tip-box if you are pleased with your service (this goes to the individuals completing their community service).

Make Aretha, the current mayor, and Chappy proud, and R-E-C-Y-C-L-E—find out what it means to you!

DoGood!

Please feel free to email Matt@DoGoodedness.com with any comments, suggestions, questions, or your own guest post!