clair098

Q. Member Jessica writes: Is there a way to recycle egg cartons? I put mine in with the mixed paper recycling, but it seems like we could ship empty cartons back to the farmers . A. Cardboard egg cartons can certainly be recycled with mixed paper in the NYC's curbside recycling. Also, there are some farmers at the greenmarket who accept egg carton returns, either cardboard or the ones made of polystyrene. See for a list of NYC farmers market locations , including seasonal schedules. The smaller-scale farmers are generally more able to accommodate a hodge-podge of colors and styles in egg carton reuse, and simply pop their own label on top of the old one.

Coop member Maureen asks: I have a bunch of the compact bulbs that the coop sells and tried to return them to Brook's appliance for safe disposal. [they are listed on the NYSERDA site as a collection site] Home Depot and Lowes also do not accept these bulbs for recycling. Do you have any advice you would be willing to offer? Response: That is indeed frustrating! Both Home Depot and Lowes are also listed (in error, apparently) on Earth911.com as accepting compact fluorescent bulbs. Ikea is also listed on Earth911 as a collection site, and I have personally returned bulbs there (at the Brooklyn Ikea) within the past month. Their recycling collection bins are conveniently located just inside the entrance nearest the bike rack. By the way, adjacent to that bin is a collection bin for rechargeable batteries. (Unfortunately, they discontinued the collection of alkaline batteries earlier this year, despite what you may read on Ikea's own web site.) A bit more background: All fluore...