An error has occurred. An error has occurred in this application. All information about this error has been logged. We apologize for any inconvenience. Please use this number to reference this error: 800000008122c025047821f7 Return to HOME page.We recently took stock of our linen closet and realized that half of the storage space was taken up by sheet sets and towels that we simply don't use. Some are very old and worn out and some just never seem to make it into our weekly linen rotation. Of course we didn't want to throw them out, so it got us thinking about recycling options... 1. Use old sheets and blankets to make new ironing board pads and covers. Thick blankets make ideal ironing board pads. For the blanket pad, cut just the size of the ironing board top. Then, lay the old ironing cover down on your sheet and cut out, cutting extra to cover the sides of the board. Place the blanket pad underneath the sheet cover and fit to the ironing board. 2. Donate old sheets and towels to a local animal shelter.
Most shelters will accept old blankets, bath towels, hand towels, sheets, pillows, pillowcases, bathroom rugs and t-shirts. Shelters use these for lining pet cages, cleaning up messes, drying off wet dogs, providing warm bedding, and covering kennel doors when pets need a rest from the light. Most shelters are under-served in this area, so any extra help is greatly appreciated. 3. On that note, if you have a dog, make some thrifty knot toy from your old towels. Cut the towel into strips lengthwise about five inches wide and tie knots along the length of the towel close together. Your dog will love chewing on it. 3. If your sheets are still in good condition (and you still like them!), make them into curtains. A printed cotton topsheet would be an easy and lovely way to cover your windows. 4. If you have a car, keep an old sheet or towel in the trunk for an impromptu picnic or day at the beach (also good for protecting the car seat after a swim). You could also sew a couple of old sheets together and use as a beach blanket.
5.. If you happen to have towels and sheets still in good/unworn condition, donate them to a local church or homeless shelter. 6. Use your old sheets to make gift or shoe bags. Just cut the size you need, sew a one-inch seam for the drawstring, and then sew the bag together. 7. Make your own dishtowels by hemming the edges to prevent fraying. 8. Use your old sheets to make a tablecloth, table runner, placemats and napkins. Sew a few layers of sheets together for added thickness. Also, use either an old towel or sheet to make an apron. 9. Use old sheets as linings and underlinings for your clothes. 10. Give up on paper towels and disposable sponges, and make your own cleaning cloths and rags. (Image: Flickr member Tanakowho licensed under Creative Commons) Originally published 2009-02-09 - CBWhen it comes to finding ways to support its impoverished clients, one nonprofit is leaving no corner unturned. The St. Vincent de Paul Society, an organization that feeds and houses the poor, is the world leader in mattress recycling, a task that creates jobs and brings in critical dollars to fund the nonprofit’s programs, NPR reports.
The organization's outposts in California and Oregon recycle more than 120,000 mattresses and boxsprings a year. “The model is that if there's an opportunity to add value to something, let's do it," Terry McDonald, executive director of the organization, told the news source. The mattress endeavor, coupled with the funds brought in from the nonprofit's thrift stores and furniture recycling projects, brings in enough money to pay for half of the Oregon arm's $24-million budget, according to NPR. Mattress recyclers are able to extract cotton, foam, wood and steal, according to St. Vincent's website. Often, ex-offenders and others who are struggling to find work are the ones who are hired to take on this eco-friendly job. After recently receiving a $200,000 grant from the Department of Labor, St. Vincent's Oregon base will be able to add more veterans to its payroll, according to the Portland Business Journal. The organization got another boost earlier this year when it moved out of its cramped (less than 7,000-square-foot) space into a larger facility that will allow for it to employ even more people in need, KMTR reports.
"The focus on this is really about jobs and job creation and the opportunity for economic development," McDonald told KMTR of the expansion. "In a time when there's a need for jobs and job development this kind of a facility gives us that opportunity to serve this part of town better but really the community better." Along with the state-of-the-art Transfer Station for waste materials, the site also features one of Oregon’s largest public recycling drop-off centers—with covered space for a full range of recyclable materials. 8001 Table Rock Rd • White City 8am to 4pm Monday – Friday 7am to 4pm Saturday, Closed Sunday Our busiest times are when we first open and from noon to 2pm each day. PAYMENT OPTIONS: We accept Cash, Check, Visa/Mastercard (credit or debit) Closed at Noon: July 4th, Christmas Eve, New Year’s Eve Closed All Day: Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, New Years Day WHAT TO BRING TO THE TRANSFER STATION Min. Charge: $18.60 for 1.5 cubic yards or less*
Additional: $12.40 per cubic yard* $28.70 per cubic yard • Wood Shakes• Drywall** • Roofing(3 tab, Hot Mop)** **The above marked items may contain asbestos and could be rejected at our facility until survey/laboratory documentation can be provided showing the suspect material does not contain asbestos. DEQ requires the survey to be performed by an accredited inspector to determine the presence of asbestos containing material in or on any structure prior to any demolition activities. We cannot assume that a suspect material does not contain asbestos. Only through laboratory analysis can a negative determination be made. Go to www.deq.state.or.us/aq/asbestos for more information. WHAT NOT TO BRING TO THE TRANSFER STATION • Hazardous Waste*• Medical Waste* • • Medical Sharps* • Liquid Waste*•Contaminated Soil • Asbestos • Dead Animals* Using the Transfer Station *Rates effective January 1, 2017 When you turn off Table Rock Road, follow the blue arrows around to the Pay Station .
From there, the blue arrows will lead you to the Transfer Station building. Once you’re inside the building, you will be directed to back your vehicle into one of many slots. Then empty your materials onto the floor, hop back in your vehicle and away you go. Customers with 10 yards or more of construction/demolition or other special waste (such as asbestos, contaminated soil, etc.) may be directed to the Dry Creek Landfill. The landfill manager will decide this on a case by case basis and arrangements must be made in advance. Most commercial customers (as well as all residential customers) will use the Transfer Station. Business Customers: Click here to download a credit application. Using the Recycling Center When you turn off Table Rock Road, follow the green arrows to the Recycling Center. Once there, you will see clearly marked areas for each type of recyclable material. Contamination of our recycling is a serious issue for us. Be sure to only leave approved items for recycling.