Reduce
One easy way to ease the burden on landfills is to reduce the amount of waste we produce each day. That can be as easy as using one paper napkin instead of two, or as involved and rewarding as placing a compost bin in your backyard to produce your own nutrient-rich mulch. It is also important to reduce use of valuable natural resources, such as fresh water. Simple steps can not only preserve our limited water supply, but can help lower your monthly water bill.

Reuse
Every day, tons of materials are taken to landfills that could be given new life if reused properly. Consider reusing rather than throwing away some of the items listed below.

Athletic Shoes
Many charities will not accept used shoes. Nike sponsors the Reuse-A-Shoe program, which takes in used sneakers of all brands, grinds up selected parts and re-manufactures them into playground padding, gymnastics mats and running tracks that are donated to organizations nationwide. For more information, call (800) 806-6453 or visit the NIKEbiz website.

Buy Recycled
Purchase paper products made from recycled materials whenever possible. Look and ask for these products at your local supermarket or visit the Seventh Generation website for more information about stores that carry these products.

Books
You have many options when disposing of unwanted books. Some people prefer to sell them to a used bookstore for a little extra cash. The Southlake Public Library also accepts donations of gently used books, which are placed in the library collection or sold to fund other needs. Many charities also accept book donations to be sold for needed cash.

Cell Phones
Keep Southlake Beautiful accepts donations of old cell phones to be refurbished for charities. For more information about this program, contact Keep Southlake Beautiful at 817-748-8019.

Clothing
There are many worthwhile organizations that distribute used clothing to the community through thrift stores or through direct gifts. Groups to consider include GRACE, Open Arms, Goodwill and many area churches that operate charitable clothes closets. You also could hand down used clothing to family members or friends or hold a yard sale.

Coat Hangers
Most dry cleaners will gladly accept your extra clothes hangers. This can also help save you money, because the cleaner doesn't have to spend as much money to buy new hangers. Some cleaners have even been known to offer a discount for returning hangers.

Computer Equipment
Goodwill Industries and Dell computers have partnered to offer recycling of computer equipment through the Reconnect Program. To find a computer recycling drop-off location in your area, visit the Reconnect Partnership website.

Resource Concepts of Carrollton will accept used computer and other electronic equipment for refurbishment and charitable donation. Contact Resource Concepts at (972) 245-3121. Resource Concepts is located at:
2940 Eisenhower Street
Carrollton, TX 75007

You may also donate used, working computer equipment to Kid Surf Project by calling (510) 444-6074. The program uses the equipment for tutoring inner-city youth.

You may be able to dispose of some equipment for free. All computer manufacturers are required by law to provide free recycling services to all individual-use consumers in Texas. Visit the Texas Recycles Computers website to search for your brand and information about how to get the item to the manufacturer:

Televisions & Electronics
Senate Bill 329, passed during the 2001 Regular Legislative Session, created a television equipment recycling program at the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) that requires television manufacturers to pay for the collection, transportation, and recycling of television equipment from consumers.  For more information on the program and to locate a local recycler, go to www.texasrecyclestvs.org.

Best Buy also has an electronics recycling program that will accept most consumer electronics, including televisions and monitors up to 32 inches, desktop computers, notebooks, video cassette recorders, DVD players and phones.

Eyeglasses
The Lions Club International refurbishes used eyeglasses through its Give the Gift of Sight program and distributes them to people in need due to economic hardships, natural disasters or other difficulties worldwide. You can donate your used eyeglasses in a drop box at Lens Crafters stores or call (800) 541-5367 for more information.

Furniture
Many charities accept furniture donations to be sold in thrift stores or given directly to families in need. Some will even pick up your donation, including the Salvation Army.

Household Goods
Many charities accept furniture donations to be sold in thrift stores or given directly to families in need. Groups to consider include GRACE, Open Arms, Goodwill and Salvation Army.

Large Items & Appliances
Many charities accept donations of large appliances to be sold in thrift stores or given directly to families in need. Some will even pick up your donation, including Salvation Army and GRACE.

Magazines
Some nursing homes and preschools accept donations of magazines for reading or crafts. Call around for information.

Plastic Grocery Bags
Many stores have collection points for plastic grocery bags set up near the front door. These bags cannot be placed in curbside recycling bins. Look for collection boxes at Wal-Mart, Albertson's and Kroger. Better yet, purchase durable canvas or nylon grocery bags that can be reused every time you visit the grocery store. You can visit the Reusable Bags website or shop around for more environmentally friendly and attractive solutions.