Two weeks ago I contributed an article that focused on the upcoming electronics and propane collection event.

Don't forget that it is from 9 a.m. to noon on Saturday, April 29, at 7413 County House Road in Auburn.

At the event we are recycling all electronics, including printers.

However, inside the printers are either laser or ink jet printer cartridges that need to be removed.

But please do not throw them away! The average consumer will use five cartridges or more a year and industrial operations will use at least one-hundred per year.

Most of these cartridges are thrown away and therefore end up in our landfills.

Unfortunately, these cartridges will take up space in our landfills for approximately 1,000 years.

Yes, that is right it takes 1,000 years for a printer cartridge to decompose.

Instead of tossing printer cartridges in the garbage recycle them!

The number one reason to recycle printer cartridges is because it is environmentally friendly.

Not only are we freeing up space in our landfills but we are also preventing cartridges from accidentally entering an incinerator.

The second incentive to recycling cartridges is that it supports local programs. Cornell Cooperative Extension of Cayuga County partnered with the printer cartridge recycling company Recycle First to establish a printer cartridge recycling program in Cayuga County.

The organization Recycle First pays for all costs including collection and postage.

In addition, for every printer cartridge that is recycled, a small contribution is donated to Cornell Cooperative Extension of Cayuga County for future programm

Cornell Cooperative Extension of Cayuga County has placed printer cartridge recycling collection boxes and envelope dispensers throughout the county.

Collection boxes are located in libraries, post offices, schools, town offices and at Cornell Cooperative Extension of Cayuga County. Recycling the cartridges is free and easy.

Just stop by one of the drop box locations and drop off your printer cartridge.

You may also pick up a pre-paid envelope to take home and use when your cartridge needs recycling. There is no cost to you!

Recycling companies recycle printer cartridges by refurbishing, refilling, and reselling them back to the consumer.

If cartridges have been badly damaged then recycling companies will break them down and recycle the components.

If the cartridges are not terribly damaged, they can be easily fixed and reused.

Please recycle your printer cartridges!

For more information or for a listing of drop box locations, please contact Cornell Cooperative Extension of Cayuga County at 255-1183.

Beth Janes is an Americorps environmental assistant at Cornell Cooperative Extension of Cayuga County

Monday, April 24

Quilters, 9 a.m., Schwartz Towers.

Needlecrafts, 9:30 a.m., Schwartz Towers.

Crafts, 1 p.m., Schwartz Towers.

Helene Grant entertaining, noon, Boyle Center.

Tuesday, April 25

Art class, 9:30 a.m and 1 p.m., Boyle Center.

Exercise, 10 a.m, Boyle Center.

RSVP Director Cassie Catto, 12:15 p.m. Boyle Center.

Catholic Mass with the Rev. Dennis Shaw, 5 p.m., Schwartz Towers.

Bingo, 6:30 p.m., Boyle Center.

Wednesday, April 26

Prescription blood screening, 8:30 a.m., Schwartz Towers.

Blood pressure check, 9 a.m., Boyle Center.

Boyle Center line dancing, 9:30 a.m., Sacred Heart.

Writing class, 10 a.m., Boyle Center.

Registered dietitian Julie Casler, 12:15 p.m., Boyle Center.

Crochet and knitting, 2 p.m., Boyle Center.

Ceramics, 9:30 a.m., Schwartz Towers.

Eileen McHugh speaking, 12:30 p.m., Schwartz Towers.

Bingo, 1:30 p.m., Schwartz Towers.

Quilting, 7 p.m., Boyle Center.

Thursday, April 27

Ceramics, 9:30 a.m., Schwartz Towers.

Exercise, 10 a.m., Schwartz Towers.

Cribbage, 1 p.m., Schwartz Towers.

Exercise, 10 a.m, Boyle Center.

Bingo, 1:30 p.m, Boyle Center.

Friday, April 28

Ceramics, 9:30 a.m., Schwartz Towers.

BUNCO, 6 p.m., Boyle Center.

Monday, May 1

Quilting, 9 a.m., Schwartz Towers.

Needlecrafts, 9:30 a.m., Schwartz Towers.

Crafts, 1 p.m., Schwartz Towers.

Tuesday, May 2

55 Alive Safe Driving, 8 a.m., Schwartz Towers.

Wednesday, may 3

Prescription blood screening, 8:30 a.m., Schwartz Towers.

Ceramics, 9:30 a.m., Schwartz Towers.

Senior executive meeting, 10:30 a.m., Schwartz Towers.

Senior Citizen meeting, 12:45 p.m., Schwartz Towers.

Bingo, 1:30 p.m., Schwartz Towers.

Thursday, May 4

Ceramics, 9:30 a.m. Schwartz Towers.

Exercise, 10 a.m., Schwartz Towers.

Blood pressure screening, 1 p.m., Schwartz Towers.

Friday, May 5

Ceramics, 9:30 a.m., Schwartz Towers.

Miracle Ear represntative, 10 a.m., Schwartz Towers.