You probably know the three R
’s of the environment – reduce, reuse and recycle. However, did
you know that when it comes to practicing the three R’s, reusing
can save even more energy, natural resources and landfill space
than recycling?
You probably know the three R’s of the environment – reduce, reuse and recycle. However, did you know that when it comes to practicing the three R’s, reusing can save even more energy, natural resources and landfill space than recycling? In recognition of the many benefits of reuse, the South Valley is celebrating its second annual Second Chance Week beginning Saturday. With the goal of putting more used stuff back into circulation and keeping it out of the landfill, Second Chance Week, Sept. 11-18, will feature a diverse range of innovative reuse, resale and repair activities.
Here’s the schedule.
Second Chance Week officially begins this weekend with the annual South County Garage Sale. While it’s too late to apply for the event as a seller, the town will be full of opportunities to buy, buy, buy this weekend. Check the Saturday early morning edition of The Times for details on all of the Morgan Hill sales.
Monday, Sept. 13, is officially Fix It Day. Don’t get rid of it, fix it. Sew on that missing button, give a fresh coat of paint to your barbecue or put a new cushion on that favorite chair.
Tuesday, Sept. 14, is Donate and Shop Local Thrift Stores Day. Tired of stuff you never use taking up space in your garage and attic? Looking for that one of a kind vintage coffee table? Donating and shopping at local thrift store helps charities in the community.
Wednesday, Sept. 15, is Donate Coats for Kids and Adults Day. Have gently used coats you or your children have grown out of? Take them to the Gilroy City Hall, 7351 Rosanna St., or the Morgan Hill Community Center, 17000 Monterey Road. The coats will go to needy children and their parents.
Thursday, Sept. 16, is Save the Mercury Day. While useful, mercury is a toxic substance that should be properly managed and kept away from our air, water, and landfills. Come exchange your old mercury thermometer for a free new digital thermometer and bring us your used household batteries too. Take your mercury thermometers in a plastic Ziploc-style bag. Sorry, no auto batteries will be accepted. Drop them off from 8am to 5pm at Gilroy City Hall, 7351 Rosanna St., or Morgan Hill Community and Cultural Center, 17000 Monterey Road.
Friday, Sept. 17, is Second Sight Day. Bring your old eyeglasses to Gilroy City Hall or Morgan Hill Aquatics Center, 16200 Condit Ave., and the Lions Club will give them a second chance to serve someone less fortunate.
Saturday, Sept. 18, is an E-Waste Collection event. From 8am to 2pm we will accept (free of charge) computers and monitors, televisions, or other small appliances per South County household. Participants must call 299-7300 to preregister for the event.
These events are jointly sponsored by the City of Morgan Hill, City of Gilroy and County of Santa Clara. For more information, give us a call at 779-7247.
Remember old stuff can be good stuff, so choose to reuse.
n Eco-Fact of the Week: Patriot Day is this Saturday. Please join the City of Morgan Hill for a Citywide Patriot Day ceremony on Sept. 11, from 10-11am at the Community and Cultural Center Amphitheater. The community is invited to come together to remember those that lost their lives on Sept. 11, 2001, and to honor our brave police officers, firefighters and other first responders for their daily acts of heroism. For further details, please phone the city clerk’s office at 779-7259.
n Eco-Web Pages of the Week: There is a great web-based 2nd Chance Resource for Morgan Hill called the Morgan Hill Freecycle. This is a free on-line listing of materials people are interested in making available for reuse. The heart of the program is that everything is free. No stores or vendors are involved. Check it out at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/MorganHillFreecycle/
Anthony Eulo is a program administrator for the City of Morgan Hill who donates all of his old usable stuff to thrift stores. He welcomes your questions, comments, and thoughts and can be reached at en*****@************ca.gov or 779-7247.
