In June, the City of Greensboro and Revolution Mill partnered up to sponsor a Recycling Rodeo. The event, held on the Revolution Mill campus, encouraged Guilford County residents to bring hard-to-recycle items such as chemicals, paint, batteries and car oil. The Rodeo also solicited donations for Dress for Success in Winston-Salem, a nonprofit that provides professional attire for low-income job seekers.

This event follows shred-cycle events held at several Self-Help branches to celebrate Earth Day 2018.

The Rodeo attracted 375 people, including those hauling heavy loads in vehicles and those who came by bicycle. One neighborhood family pulled their old computers in a little red wagon along with their toddler. They all left much lighter, as indicated by the results:  

• 8,240 pounds of confidential documents shredded and recycled
• 6,986 pounds of hazardous waste and expired electronics disposed of or recycled
• Two station wages stuffed with professional outfits and accessories for Dress for Success

The first 100 participants received a free reusable stainless steel straw to help reduce their plastic footprint. “Plastic pollution of oceans has been much in the news,” noted Melissa Malkin-Weber, Self-Help’s Sustainability Director. “We were gratified to see how many participants were eager to have a positive environmental impact by skipping disposable straws. We were able to educate many more about the opportunity to be part of a bigger effort to save sea turtles by avoiding single–use plastics and styrofoam.”

Everyone who dropped by had a chance to learn more about recycling and ways to support environmental sustainability in North Carolina. We had information about Self-Help’s social and environmental mission, including our Green Term Certificate, which provides competitive returns while helping to support Self-Help’s environmental work. The City of Greensboro shared information about local recycling and information about the GSO Collects App, which includes a “Waste Wizard” to find out how to best dispose of virtually any item.

This is just one example of the community events held at Revolution Mill, which is a 512,000 square-foot former textile mill that Self-Help acquired and renovated in an area where investment had been low. Today over 200 people live in Revolution Mill, which also includes two art galleries, a history museum, and office space for more than 95 businesses, creative firms and entrepreneurs.

Many thanks to the City of Greensboro and Dress for Success for making the Recycling Rodeo possible.

Greensboro City Council member, Marikay Abuzuaiter, prepares to donate a bag to Dress for Success.

You’re never too young to recycle your used electronics.