It's Easy Being Green

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Comment by Alissa on September 8, 2008 at 8:09am

Old cell phones worth their weight in Forest Park trees
Posted by Shelby Wood, The Oregonian September 01, 2008 06:03AM
Categories: Eat Your Greens

Those Forest Park trails don't take care of themselves. photo: The Oregonian

I'm not sure I can prove that headline, but this much is true: That worthless old cell phone crammed in your junk drawer is worth $1 to Forest Park.

Now through Oct. 20, if you take your old cell phone to any AT&T retail store in Oregon and drop it in the "Go Green" collection bin, the company will donate $1 to the nonprofit Forest Park Conservancy, which works to maintain and protect the city-owned park of more than 5,000 acres.

AT&T will donate up to $25,000 to the FPC -- if Oregonians come through with 25,000 donated cell phones.

The old phones themselves will go to Cell Phones for Soldiers, a nonprofit based in Massachusetts that collects old cell phones, sells them to ReCellular, an electronics recycling firm in Minnesota, then uses the money to purchase calling cards for soldiers serving overseas.

If you miss the promotion, or just don't feel like dropping by an AT&T store, Metro regional government offers an online tool for finding cell phone recyclers. Several Portland-area locations accept old cell phones for free and donate them to programs such as Call to Protect, a national program that benefits victims of domestic violence. Use Metro's tool to find those locations and other recyclers in your area.

http://blog.oregonlive.com/pdxgreen/2008/09/old_cell_phones_worth_their_we.html

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Comment by Grayson's Mommy on August 3, 2008 at 1:31pm

I found organic cotton onesies at Wal-mart. :) I also love the summer time because I can hang up my clothes to dry outside!!

Comment by Debra on July 23, 2008 at 7:29pm

Since I "discovered" baking soda, I'm not real sure why other cleaners for pots and pans, bathtubs and sinks even exist. Baking soda works just as well or better than commercial cleaners, and I don't have to worry about sitting my kids in the tub or produce in the sink right after I've scrubbed it out. I also add a few drops of essential oil (either eucalyptus or lavender) to get a little aromatherapy in while I'm cleaning. Why anyone would want to use Comet or Ajax after trying this stuff I don't know!

Comment by momma_the_invincible on July 23, 2008 at 5:08pm

BTW, Metro puts out a free brochure called Green Cleaners - DIY recipes with vinegar & baking soda, etc. I think you can call the hotline at 503-234-3000 to get a copy.

Comment by Tonya on July 23, 2008 at 7:31am

There are some great ideas here!

Comment by Jody on July 22, 2008 at 8:15pm

Don't have TV, but sounds cool.
I have a good "cleaner" recipe, actually a copper polish.
Vinegar, salt and Baking soda. Make a good paste and the salt is a great abrasive. Cover your copper whatehaveyou, let it sit a bit, and scrub. Rinse and dry. Super amazing! Plus the Baking Soda and vinegar combo makes it fun.

Also a really cool goopy play goo for kids and adults, corn starch and water. Mix the right amount to make it goopy. So when at rest it liquefies but keep it in motion and it hardens, let it rest for a second, and it just starts running. hit it real hard with your finger when it's in the bowl, and it's like cement, slowly put your finger in, and it sinks. SUPER fun! Your kids will love it!

Comment by Grayson's Mommy on July 21, 2008 at 6:03pm

Have any of you watched the new Planet Green tv channel? I love Living with Ed. They had some solar powered lights on the show the other day and the were amazing. I'm looking into them for xmas!

Comment by Will Mendyk on May 22, 2008 at 8:22am

No, its actually how to make your own green cleaners out of things around your house, ie: white vinegar and water as a all purpose spray. Rebecca from Green Parenting puts on the session about once a month

Comment by Clare on May 20, 2008 at 11:02pm

Oh cool thanks Will! What is a green cleaners session about? Using green cleaning products?

Comment by Will Mendyk on May 14, 2008 at 8:29pm

Hey Clare, don't know if you are apart of the green parenting meetup on meetup.com, but they are having a green cleaners session on the weekend of the 24th.