Community Members Help Each Other While Keeping Trash Out Of Landfills

What do you do with your old living room set when you are ready for something spanking new? How about when you clean out your garage and find that tennis racket that you last used twenty years ago?

Wait! Don't throw it into the trash! There is a better way! Save the land and at the same time, help your community. Join Bucks County Recycle It!

Pam Kovalcik started Bucks County Recycle It (BCRI) in 2007 because she wanted to help the community instead of throwing out items that others could use.

"We all can use a little help from each other and BCRI is a wonderful way to do that. The best part of the group is all of the friends you meet and get to share with. You get such a good feeling when you share and it is so rewarding," says Kovalcik.

 “Our group is for anyone who wants to offer something new or used, find something, or just help out the local community by sparing and saving our beloved land. So, when you are getting ready to toss your items, please remember that someone else may be able to use it and offer it with us on BCRI.  New members are always welcome,” she added.

Here is how it works.

• Go to    http://groups.yahoo.com/group/BucksCounty_RecycleIt/.
• Sign up to be a member of Lower Bucks Recycle It
• You will receive an email asking you where you live.
• Once you reply to the email, you will be approved as a member.
• You may then sign up for all emails, a daily email digest or no emails at all.
• Find something you don't need any more and post it to the group.
• You will receive emails from people in your area who want what you do not.
• You choose a person and ask them when they can come for the item.
• You also give them instructions such as, porch pick up or bring two people and a truck for very heavy item.
• If you see something you want on the list, you send an email and hope to be the first person replying.

Karen Blumenthal of Bensalem says, “As a member of BCRI, I have made connections with several caring and generous people who care as much as I do about saving trash from the landfills. I love to recycle the things I have when I can to people who can use them. I am so pleased to be a member of this wonderful group.”

Andy Pastuszak, also from Bensalem, says, "I think the mailing list is awesome.  Rather than throwing stuff out that I don't want, someone else gets to use it.  I've also gotten a number of
useful items that have saved me money.”

Members give away anything and everything, from food items to canoes.   Often, when someone has a yard sale, they announce the ending time to list members so they can come choose from the leftover items.

Tips

• If you say that you will pick up an item, keep your word or contact the giver to arrange another time.  If not, you will become known as a no-show and members will be hesitant to choose you again.
• Although this is a busy list, try signing up for all emails. Items on the list often go quickly.
• Always send friendly emails.