Residents reuse, recycle in 14th annual Project Pride

Grills, shovels, bikes and computers were some of the items piled Saturday in the parking lot of Abbott Center, 1400-1500 Abbot Road, during Project Pride, the city of East Lansing’s 14th annual neighborhood recycling and cleanup project.

“The whole gist is for people to clean up their yards, their garages, their basements and bring all of the stuff in to Project Pride,” East Lansing Environmental Specialist David Smith said. “It’s sort of like a reverse assembly line. You go through the site and drop off things at various places.”

At the event, more than 15 different recycling stations accepted electronics, scrap metal, cardboard, batteries, flower pots, shoes, wood waste, tires and Styrofoam. Most items were taken free of charge. Fees were charged for tires, lumber, electronics, oversized items and items containing Freon.

“It is a wonderful, inexpensive way to get rid of things,” said Barb McMillan, an East Lansing resident and Project Pride volunteer.

Project Pride was hosted with the help of various donating partners including Curves, Reno’s East Side Sportsbar and Grill, The Salvation Army, Dart Container Corporation, Volunteers of America, Urban Options and the work of about 100 volunteers, volunteer coordinator Susan Schmidt said.

“We try to bring in some young people, too,” Schmidt said. “It is important for them to be a part of the community.”

At last year’s event, 49 tons of material were collected, and, of that, 42 tons were reused or recycled, Smith said. He said although the total amount of goods recycled and reused Saturday is not yet available, Project Pride volunteers assisted a steady flow of residents throughout the day and he thought more than 600 cars came through the parking lot.

“When it started out, we recycled some stuff, but a lot of the stuff was really just thrown away, and it has evolved now into a true reuse and recycle event,” Smith said.

A number of the stations available promoted reuse and allowed individuals to donate specific items such as bikes, books and household items for repair and eventually reuse. Mat Reeves, an East Lansing resident, said the donation outlets are particularly beneficial.

“I think it is one of the best things the city does,” Reeves said. “I hate throwing away things that people can use.”

East Lansing City Councilmember Diane Goddeeris assisted East Lansing city employee Jason Chubb at the refuse station of Project Pride, where participants’ remaining nonrecyclables were disposed of for a $5 fee.

“Everybody is really happy when they get here, and they’ve emptied out all of their stuff,” Goddeeris said. “It’s a great way for everybody to look at how they can recycle their things.”