Editor,
As a resident of Noblesville, I received my Simple Recycling package in the mail this week. It’s a new program with no cost to Noblesville residents that will begin Jan. 11. Reading through the materials, we were given two large, yellow bags and a green sticker to add to a plain black garbage bag should we need it. There is no doubt that we live in a disposable society and that recycling makes a huge difference in keeping our world clean and green. According to the Simple Recycling brochure, clothing and shoes are 100% recyclable, but 85% still end up in landfills.
Please know, I’m all for recycling and donating. I think sometimes we throw away, upgrade, and would rather toss than fix more than we should as of late. So if you don’t recycle or donate, then please consider using this service but here’s my point…
This service is a for-profit company. According to their website, they will gather up your stuff where all of the materials are graded and sorted locally based on quality and condition. The top quality materials will be resold to local thrift outlets, mid grade is exported to international markets and “unusable” items are processed for raw materials.
If you are going to go to the trouble to sort and bag, maybe consider keeping your donations local where you can get a tax receipt for donation and the profits made from local thrift shops will go right back into Noblesville and those residents that they serve to help.
Here in Noblesville, we have the Salvation Army Thrift Store, just around the corner off of Pleasant Street, and believe it or not, they will even come get it for you. When you donate to the Salvation Army, and they sell your items, the money goes to their Addiction and Recovery Centers. Since Hamilton Co. does not have a residential drug and alcohol treatment facility; many Hamilton Co. men rely on Harbour Light in Indianapolis for their treatment, healing and growth. By donating here, you are helping your neighbors.
You can also donate to St. Vincent De Paul, right there on Greenfield Avenue. When you donate to St. Vincent De Paul, when they sell your donation, they use the money to help those that need rent or their utilities kept on. You help shelter your neighbors and keep them warm, you also help St. Vincent De Paul buy cheese and eggs for their food pantry along with other food items. They also have been known to give beds to people to keep them from sleeping on the floor. By donating here, you are helping your neighbors.
And then, there is PrimeLife Enrichment. They may be located in Carmel, but you’ll see their vans everywhere in town. They have a small thrift shop that helps support and fund their transportation department. Since transportation is often a struggle in Hamilton Co., PrimeLife helps fill that void in taking seniors, often for donations or even free, to medical appointments, the pharmacy, the grocery or even to PrimeLife for social activities and support groups. By donating here, you are helping your neighbors.
Finally, in the county there is Habitat for Humanity for appliances, and The Friends of the Library shops at the Hamilton East Public Library for books, Coats for Kids, area churches, and Goodwill and Amvets … all non profits and all needing donations as well.
So if you want to recycle, use Simple Recycling … but if you want to help your neighbor, your friends and those local to you, please consider taking that extra step and donate local.
Rebecca Cola
Noblesville