Community Corner
Rid Yourself of Old Cell Phones, Unwanted Documents the Environmentally Responsible Way
Spring cleaning means trashing some items: knowing which can be recycled is key
Spring is finally here, and that means spring cleaning can officially begin! Here’s some tips to consider while removing electronics, cell phones, or important documents from your home this season.
Donate your old cell phone to a good cause!
- Middletown Police, 222 Main St. (domestic abuse prevention)
- Doolittle Funeral Home, 14 George St. (for soldiers)
- Knoll Crest, 207 George St. (for soldiers)
- Liberty Tax, 608 Main St. (for soldiers)
It’s not a good idea to give your old cell phones to children to play with as toys. There are small parts that can come loose, and some phones are still able to dial 911. Also, be sure to erase all data before donating your phones. Call your cell phone carrier to have them walk you through the steps of wiping out all of your personal information.
Find out what's happening in Middletownwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
Free shredding event, prevent identity theft!
- Saturday, 9-11 a.m., rain or shine
- Middletown Water Department, 82 Berlin St.
- Bring up to six boxes to recycle
If you do your own shredding, keep these tips in mind. Some shredders are unable to take paperclips or staples, it’s best to remove them before shredding. Avoid running items through the shredder that contain glue, such as envelopes or sticky notes. Over time the glue can cause a jam in your machine. If you own a single-cut shredder, be sure to run your documents through at an angle. This will ensure that complete sentences aren’t available on single strips. Also consider disposing documents in separate bags, so that pieces of documents cannot be easily pieced back together.
Find out what's happening in Middletownwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
Recycle your electronics, free!
- Middletown Recycling Center, corner of Johnson Street and North Main Street, weekdays, 7 a.m. to noon, Saturdays, 7 a.m. to noon. Resident Pass Required: Residents can obtain a free pass at Public Works in City Hall upon presentation of vehicle registration. Electronoics accepted only from residences. Per state law, no more than seven units accepted per load.
Just like your cell phone, make sure you’ve erased all personal information from your computers and all other electronics that hold data. There are many programs and tools that are available to do this for different electronic devices.
