Just what kind of plastic bottles can you recycle? Do you have to wash them first. What about removing the labels?

Northwest Ohio residents have a wealth of programs and information available to help them manage waste in an environmentally friendly way.

Programs and regulations vary from community to community. Here’s a sampling of what information is available for throughout Northwest Ohio who are interested in recycling and other environmental practices.

At www.ktlcb.org, citizens will find information about Toledo’s garbage collection/curbside recycling programs, a recycler’s list (where to reuse it or lose it), Adopt-a-Street and Adopt-a-Road programs, and the Clean Sweep Newsletter, which has updates and details about the organization’s programs and events. Visitors to the site can also learn more about Toledo’s Energy Star Program.

Learn more by calling 419-213-2255 or join the organization’s mailing list by e-mailing your address with “ mailing list ” in the subject line to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

The Ottawa Sandusky Seneca County Joint Solid Waste Management District conducts a number of recycling events throughout the year, including collections for appliances, computers, household hazard waste materials, tires and lead acid batteries.

The district’s Web site, which can be found at www.recycleoss.org, also includes educational materials for consumers and educators; information about upcoming recycling events and how to prepare materials for recycling; information about local haulers and landfills; details about district programs; helpful links and even a directory for those interested in buying recycled products.

For more information, call 1-888-850-7224.

The Wood County Solid Waste Management District’s Web site, www.wcswmd.org, also contains a wealth of information for residents interested in recycling options, how to manage yard waste, upcoming events, etc. A number of brochures, including the 2008 Household Recycling brochure, Learn Not to Burn and Composting 101 may also be accessed at the site.

Call 419-354-9297 for more information.

Rain barrels available at a discount
American Rivers and the Toledo Stormwater Program are offering residents the opportunity to purchase a New Englander Rain Barrel at a discounted price of $72, a $27 savings off the retail price of $99.

A connector kit is available for $14.99. The kit allows users to fill to barrels from one downspout. A rain barrel offers a way to capture and store rainwater from the roof gutter system of your home for later use. The New Englander is designed for watering flowers, vegetables, shrubs and trees, by either connecting a garden hose to the barrel or filling a watering can.

The barrels are made from 55-gallon blue plastic recycled containers. The top does not come off, so children or pets cannot get into the barrel. It comes with a 5-foot hose with a shutoff valve.

Orders must be placed by July 28 through www.nerainbarrel.com or call 1-877-977-3135. The pickup for all orders is Saturday, Aug. 2, between 9 a.m. and noon at the Erie Street Market, 237 South Erie St., Toledo.

Clothes collection
A Clothes Collection is being held throughout the month of April at the Erie Street Market, 237 S. Erie St., Toledo.

From the textiles collected, usable clothes will be donated to charities and the fibers from the rest will be recycled into roofing material, bond paper, industrial wiping clothes and remanufactured textiles.

Participation is simple - bring old clothes, shoes, fabric, used textiles, etc. from home to the Salvation Army drop-off site at the market seven days a week from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. For more information, visit www.ktlcb.org.

Want to compost?
So, you want to compost! That’s great, but where to start?

On Tuesday, May 13, the Sandusky County Park District, in cooperation with the Joint Solid Waste Management District and the Ottawa Soil and Water Conservation District, will offer Compost Clinics at 10 a.m. and again at 6:30 p.m. at the Hayes Presidential Center (Spiegel Grove) in Fremont.

What is composting? It’s the biological decomposition of organic matter under controlled conditions. The process occurs through the action of microorganisms such as bacteria, molds or fungi, actinomycetes and protozoa. Larger creatures such as mites, millipedes, sowbugs and earthworms also help to decompose the organic matter. These decomposers work best when their environment is damp, airy and warm. To create suitable conditions, it is useful to understand more about the process.

The cost to attend the clinic is $5, which must be paid in advance.

The clinic is open to residents of Ottawa, Sandusky and Seneca counties. Call Debbie Haubert at 419-334-4495 to reserve a spot.

Annual Raymer Area Cleanup set for April 26
Residents of the Raymer area in East Toledo will meet for the annual Earth Day Neighborhood Cleanup. Those interested are invited to meet at Block Watch 422A’s normal meeting place, at Memorial United Church
of Christ on Starr Avenue at Plymouth Street, out in the parking lot at 11 a.m.00

Volunteers will be picking up trash along White Street and working their way over to Burnett Park. (Starr at Spring Grove).

To reward participants’ efforts, the Toledo Zoo will offer free admission from noon until closing (4:30 p.m.) You must have participated in the cleanup to get free admission to the zoo.

A parent or guardian must accompany children who wish to participate. Participants must also sign a waiver.

In the event of rain, the cleanup will be held April 27.

Participants should wear old clothing. Gloves and bags will be supplied. Bring a beverage to drink for yourself. Those who would like to clean up their own corner or block may contact Robin at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it to obtain gloves and bags.

Benton Township trash collection
A one-day trash collection will be held for Benton Township residents only April 26 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

One container for metals and one container for household trash will be provided. The containers will be located near the green recycling container behinds the maintenance building at Graytown Park.

Items may be brought between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. Unloading assistance will be available. Absolutely no items may be dropped off early or late.

The collection is open to township residents only. Proof of residence will be required.

Acceptable items include:

Predominately metal items: all appliances, microwaves, air conditioners, engines, bicycles, lamps, empty paint cans and scrap metals. Batteries are acceptable but must be kept separate.

Household trash: Non-recyclable glass and plastics, rinsed pesticide containers, buckets, light bulbs, dishes, cookware, mirrors, ceramics, toys and miscellaneous junk.

Items that will not be accepted include liquids, pain, garbage, yard waste, building materials, ties and hazardous materials.

Recycle the following items in the green recycling container: newspaper, magazines, corrugated cardboard, glass jars, #1 and #2 plastic bottles and steel and aluminum cans.

For more information, call 419-862-3774 or trustee Jim Buhro at 419-862-2340, trustee Wes Gahler at 419-862-2056 or trustee Gary Gregg at 419-898-4407.

Party for the Planet
The Toledo Zoo is partnering with area organizations for the Zoo's 12th-annual Earth Day Celebration, a Party for the Planet, April 19.

A variety of fun and informative activities will be available. All Earth Day activities are included with regular Zoo admission. Hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Call 419-385-4040 or visit www.toledozoo.org.

Medication collection at Magruder Hospital
A collection for unwanted and expired medications will be held April 24 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the main lobby of Magruder Hospital in Fremont.

The purpose is to offer safe, secure medication disposal with hope that the local environment will benefit. “ Because of the current media attention of the environmental effects of improper medication disposal, Magruder met with Amy Drummer, the Assistant Director of Ottawa, Sandusky, Seneca Joint Solid Waste Management District, to see what resources were available to hold a collection, ” said Nick Marsico, Magruder’s pharmacy director.

After researching the subject, it was discovered that there are not any current resources for proper disposal of medications in Ottawa County. Both parties then agreed a collection at the hospital would be the best immediate solution.

“ In order to be proactive, we decided to hold a collection here at Magruder. We already have all the proper protocols in place for our pharmacy, so it is easier for us to do the first collection, ” said Marsico.

The OSS Solid Waste District is looking at possible future solutions for the unwanted medication issue.

“ We are looking at what other districts are doing across the state to gather as much information as possible to get the right information to residents, ” said Drummer.

Participants are asked to bring medications in the original bottle if possible. No controlled substances will be accepted, which includes; narcotics, sleeping pills, codeine, used syringes, inhalers, chemotherapy medications and any other drugs in aerosol containers.

“ In addition, we will be handing out literature on the proper storage of medications and the importance of getting rid of expired drugs, ” said Marsico.

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