(from Prevention Magazine, April 2006)

1. Computers:  Your out-of-date PC holds toxins such as chromium, cadmium,and lead that can contaminate food and water supplies if the computer getscrushed, dumped in a landfill , or incinerated.  Those toxins can causeserious health problems including headaches, kidney damage and cancer.

Instead of tossing your dead PC, send it back to the manufacturer; many willaccept nonworking computers for a small fee (up to about $34.00).  They'llsafely open your machine, extract the components, and recycle the majorityof the material for other products.

If the computer you're going to get rid of still works, donate it.  Wipe thehard drive clean. (ShredIt.com can do that for you for $30.00. www.mireth.com/shredit.html ).Then contact the National Cristina Foundation( http://www.cristina.org )  and they'll match you with a school ororganization inneed.

2. Cell Phones: These contain many of the same toxins as computers.   Oldcellphones can be used to help rebuild a new life for someone.  The WirelessFoundation, a national nonprofit, will reprogram your old cellphone withemergency numbers and shelter info and distribute to a woman at risk ofdomestic violence.  Drop off unwanted cellphones at the Body Shop or visithttp://www.calltoprotect.org  for other locations.

3. Other Electronics:  TV set, PDA, Cameras, MP3 Players, etc.  Visithttp://www.recycleforbreastcancer.org .  This organization will send youprepaidshipping labels, recycle your goods for a profit, and then donate all themoney to a national breast cancer charity.

4. Printer Cartridges:  http://www.recycleforbreastcancer.org  will alsotakethese..  You can also check with a Staples or Office Depot near you.  Manywill safely dispose of used cartridges.

5. Food Scraps:  Make a compost heap in your backyard.http://www.nyccompost.org/how/backyard.html

6. Items with Mercury:  Fourteen years ago scientists discovered that  just1 g of liquid mercury - the kind found in thermometers, thermostats, andsome bug zappers and lightbulbs - could pollute a 20-acre lake, making thefish inedible.  Though new thermometers are no longer made with mercurythere are still many old ones around.  Take anything containing mercury to ahazardous-waste recycling collection facility.  There the mercury will beremoved and eventually sold to scientists.  Visit www.earth911.org to find afacility near you.

7. Paint:  Ask your local high school drama dept, church, or Habitat forHumanity  if they accept donations of unused paint.  If you have the latexvariety, you can also find a reuse-and-recycle program through www.earth911.org .  Your paint will beblended and resold.

8. Batteries:  When rechargeable batteries (including Ni-Cds, Ni-MHs,cellphone and laptop types and others) wear out bring them to a RadioShack(call 877-273-2925 for a complete list).  They'll be disassembled and theirparts used for many things.  Car, boat, and motorcycle batteries should berecycled too.  Check with your local recycling facility or see if the autoshop will take the old battery when you buy a new one.  Call your localrecycling facility to recycle regular batteries.http://www.radioshack.com/sm-how-do-i-properly-recycle-batteries--ra-Batteries06.html

9. Formal Wear:  Don't throw away your bridal gown, bridesmaid dress, formalgown, shoes, or accessories.  Try  www.fairygodmothersinc.com orwww.glassslipperproject.com .  They help make teenage girls dreamscometrue.

10. Eyeglasses:  The Lions Club International collects used glasses to becleaned, repaired, and distributed to people who can't afford newprescription glasses.  Drop them off at participating LensCrafters stores.http://www.lionsinsight.org/eyeglass%20recycling.htm

11. Sneakers:  Send your scuffed-up sneakers (all brands) to Nike.  Thecompany's NikeGO campaign recycles the rubber, foam, and leather intomaterials used in basketball courts, playgrounds, and other areas designedto keep kids active. Visit http://www.nikereuseashoe.com