Sustainable Spring Cleaning
After enduring the cold, long months of Michigan winter, March marks the start of spring, the season of new beginnings! While we might still have a few chilly days up in Northern Michigan, it’s the perfect time to start planning for warmer weather with our tips on spring cleaning for 2024. BARC is here to help guide you to embrace the season with mindful planning and environmentally friendly choices.
Spring cleaning is an excellent opportunity to make your home a more eco-friendly and sustainable place. There are a lot of ways to make your home more sustainable, but the best way to minimize your ecological footprint is to properly dispose of unwanted materials. Peak moving season usually begins in April, which means it’s the perfect time to start getting rid of things you no longer need and getting your house in tip-top shape for summer! Whether you are moving into a new place or just looking to give your house some TLC, here are our tips for eco-friendly spring cleaning.
Eco-Friendly Spring Cleaning Tips for 2024
Declutter by Properly Recycling Unwanted Materials/Goods
Kickstart your sustainable spring cleaning journey by identifying items in your home that no longer serve a purpose or function. Fortunately, BARC simplifies the process by offering comprehensive recycling services. Here’s a handy guide to help you get started:
BARC Electronics Recycling
While cleaning, if you find any electronics like old phones, batteries, or lightbulbs, it’s essential to dispose of them properly. If not diverted from the landfill, these items take hundreds of years to break down and leak harmful toxins into the environment. BARC can properly recycle, reuse or repurpose your old electronics while protecting the environment. You can drop them off at both our Kaleva and Traverse City locations during drop off hours or register for an electronics collection event!
Leelanau County Electronic Waste Days
In 2024, we are introducing Leelanau County Electronic Waste Days in partnership with eRecycleTC to provide Leelanau County residents with 12 Electronic Waste Collection days from April 20th – September 14 2024. Registration for Leelanau County Electronic Waste Days now open on our website.
Not sure what electronics we recycle? Here is a list of acceptable electronic:
- TV’s & Computer Monitors (CRT/Flat Screen/Rear Projections)
- Laptop Computers, Tower Computers, Tablets
- Radios and Communication Equipment
- Cell Phones/Landline Phones
- Small Appliances such as Microwaves/Toasters/Toaster Ovens/Vacuums
- Printers/Scanners of any size
- Wire of any type
- Speakers/Audio Equipment
- Keyboards/Mice
- Hair Dryers/Curling Irons
- Batteries of all size and type
- Small Refrigerators/Air Conditioners/Dehumidifiers
- Electric Weed Whip/Electric Lawn Mowers
- And More!
BARC Mattress Recycling
If your spring cleaning includes getting rid of an old mattress, it can be hard to figure out what to do with an old mattress. You can either drop off your old mattress at one of our locations or schedule a pickup and we will come to you! We serve the Northern Michigan counties of Grand Traverse, Antrim, Kalkaska, Leelanau, Benzie, and Manistee. For more information on mattress recycling pricing, please refer to the pricing sheet available on our website.
BARC Refrigerator Recycling
Safely dispose of refrigerators containing freon by giving them to us! We reclaim freon and offer rebates for local residents, ensuring proper disposal in compliance with environmental regulations. Learn more about our refrigerator recycling program here.
Schedule a Pickup
BARC simplifies responsible recycling by offering pickup services for unwanted items. Schedule a pickup for hassle-free disposal within Northern Michigan counties!
Donate Unwanted Items
Instead of discarding unwanted items, consider donating them to BARC’s Kaleva Resale Shop to support waste reduction efforts and conserve resources. If you do not live in the area, we urge you to explore donation opportunities at your local thrift store.
Swap to Natural Cleaning Products
Now that your house is free of any clutter, it’s time to clean surfaces and reorganize. Switching to natural cleaning products is a great way to make this cleaning process more sustainable. We recommend grabbing reusable glass bottles with cleaning pods from green companies like Blueland or Drops.
Alternatively, concoct your own cleaning solutions using household staples like baking soda, vinegar, and lemon juice. Swap out disposable paper towels for reusable cleaning cloths, old rags, or repurposed T-shirts to minimize environmental impact!
Start Planting Your Garden with a Repurposed Planter
Now that your home is sparkling clean, it’s a great time to start giving your outdoor space a makeover. If you have a green thumb or are interested in trying to grow your own herbs, flowers, and plants this spring, start by grabbing a repurposed planter box from BARC.
Our repurposed flower boxes are made from recycled materials from demolition projects in Northern Michigan. They are durable, trendy, and a generous size to plant a few of your favorite flowers. We can make custom planter boxes to fit your needs. There are many different sizes and styles already created at BARC that are made with different recycled materials, so stop by to pick out your favorite one.
With our eco-friendly spring cleaning tips, you are ready to declutter your space and embracing a greener lifestyle in preparation for summer’s arrival!