By John Kriz
Planet New Canaan www.planetnewcanaan.org a local environmental and sustainability charity, has opened a facility in the town’s Transfer Station to accept redeemable aluminum beverage cans and plastic beverage containers (not glass containers). The proceeds generated by cashing them in for their deposit value (now 10¢ each) will be donated to charities and initiatives in New Canaan. A similar project in nearby Weston has generated $12,000 in a year.
Where & When to Donate
As you enter the Transfer Station, turn an immediate right. Go past the scale and you will see the redeemables shed ahead on your left, near the entrance to the Swap Shop, another popular Planet New Canaan initiative. Inside the shed are three marked bins: one for large plastic beverage containers, a second for small plastic beverage containers and a third for aluminum cans. It’s OK to leave the cap on the plastic containers. Don’t crush the aluminum cans! All beverage containers that can be redeemed for their deposit value are marked CTRV on the side or top.
The redeemables shed is open from 9am to 1pm Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Once a week the Service League of Boys (SLOBs) checks the three bins to ensure everything has been sorted properly.
But I Recycle
That’s great! But donating your redeemable beverage containers is a better choice. Why? Planet New Canaan co-president Katie Owsley explains: First, containers put into the recycling bins cost New Canaan taxpayers money because the town has to pay to haul them away. Second, putting the containers in a separate beverage container stream means they are in the food grade recycling stream, and can be reused as food containers. Third, each returned container generates a dime, which can be used to support charities and initiatives in New Canaan.
