Serving Eastern Pennsylvania, Central and Southern New Jersey, and Delaware
Serving Eastern Pennsylvania, Central and Southern New Jersey, and Delaware
As you anticipate watching the ball drop in Times Square on New Year’s Eve, why not use these last days of 2013 to start your own countdown to the New Year? If clutter’s been an issue, here’s a countdown that will help you shake off the dust of the past so you can embrace the promise of the future. Ready? Here we go:
10! De-clutter your family room – Choose ten catalogues or magazines to recycle.
9! Lighten up your bookshelves – Select nine books to donate to your local library.
8! Make room for your new holiday clothes – Go through your closets and drawers to see what you still love and what still fits. Remove eight articles of clothing to donate to your local Good Will Store.
7! Unburden over-stuffed cupboards – Remove seven old, broken, or mismatched mugs, glasses and plastic cups.
6! Manage a messy ‘junk drawer’ – Recycle or toss six items: old pens, dried up white out, and unknown stray parts that have been there for too long.
5! Streamline your pantry – Remove five food items: throw out any food past its expiration date and find something you could donate to a church or local food bank.
4! Freshen up your sock drawer – Remove four pairs of socks that have holes, worn-out elastic or that you no longer like to wear.
3! Reduce bathroom clutter – Discard three toiletry items that are expired or used up.
2! Clean out your jewelry case – Find two pieces of broken jewelry like mismatched earrings or broken chains, which you can discard or bring to have repaired.
1! Reclaim lost counter space in your kitchen – Remove one large item that you do not use daily such as an appliance or basket that’s serving no useful purpose. Store it away or donate it if you no longer need it.
I raise a glass to you – here’s to a healthy, happy, and organized New Year!
Recycling… wouldn’t it be lovely if all the cities, counties, boroughs and towns were all on the same recycling page? Then we would know what, when and where to recycle. Instead most of us walk around in a recycle fog looking for locations, dates and times to finally unload those outdated computers and piles of shredding. In an effort to make your recycling search a bit easier we have compiled a list of events and programs available in southeastern Pennsylvania and surrounding areas.
Collection Events
2013 Southeastern Pennsylvania Household Hazardous Waste and Old Electronics Collection Program
ELECTRONICS ONLY Collection Event
Saturday, September 28, 2013
Lower Bucks Area, Lower Makefield Township
Lower Makefield Corporate Center
770 Township Line Road
Hazardous Waste and E-Waste Recycling Event October 19
Delaware County will host a Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) Recycling Event from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. on Saturday, October 19, 2013 at the Upper Chichester Township Municipal Building at 8500 Furey Road, Upper Chichester, PA 19061.
Delaware County has expanded what can be accepted at this Household Hazardous Waste Collection Events to include most small E-Waste. Simply stated, if it has a cord, does not contain Freon (air conditioners, dehumidifiers, small refrigerators), and is not considered a large appliance, they will accept it. Visit http://www.co.delaware.pa.us/recycle/hhw.html for more information.
Delaware County 2013 E-Waste Recycling Events
Saturday, October 19, 2013
8500 Furey Road
Upper Chichester, PA 19061
Upper Chichester Township Municipal Building
2013 Montgomery County Household Hazardous Waste Collection Program
Lower Merion Transfer Station
Sunday, October 20, 2013
1300 N. Woodbine Ave.
Penn Valley, PA 19072
http://www.montcopa.org/DocumentCenter/View/4551
2013 Montgomery County Electronics Collection Program
Upper Merion Middle School – Electronics
Saturday, October 12, 2013
Enter near 435 Crossfield Rd.
King of Prussia, PA 19406
http://www.montcopa.org/DocumentCenter/View/4550
Compact Fluorescent Light Bulbs (CFLs)
Compact Fluorescent Lightbulbs or CFL’s are a great way to reduce your electricity bill while lessening your carbon footprint. However, these types of bulbs contain a small amount of mercury and should be handled carefully and disposed of properly at all times.
Intact CFL bulbs can be taken to any Home Depot, Lowes, or Ikea stores for free proper disposal and recycling. CFL bulbs can also be taken to any county-sponsored household hazardous waste event for free disposal and recycling.
Please DO NOT throw them in the trash. Nationwide, over 670 million mercury-containing bulbs are discarded improperly each year. In Montgomery County most of these bulbs are ultimately land filled or incinerated. These disposal methods can lead to a release of mercury into the environment through breakage and leakage and ultimately contaminate the food chain.
TV, Computer & Electronics Recycling
Computers and many electronics contain heavy metals and other materials that should be recycled if possible. Below are a few options for proper computer and electronics recycling.
Permanent Electronics Collection Programs
Berks County Recycling Center
1316 Hilltop Road, Leesport, PA
Limited hours of operation, call 610-478-6362 for details.
Links: Berks County
Chester County Solid Waste Authority accepts computers and peripherals at the Lanchester Landfill
7224 28th Division Hwy., Narvon, PA.
Telephone: 610-273-3771
South East Chester County Refuse Authority
219 Street Road
West Grove, PA 19390
Dawn Robinson (610-869-2452 ext 11)
West Chester Borough
205 Lacey Street
West Chester, PA 19382
Meghan Fogarty 610-696-5282
Delaware County Marple Township offers free electronic recycling to residents at:
Marple Township
446 Marpit Rd.
Broomall, PA 19008
Joe Romano 610-356-4040 for information.
Springfield Township offers free electronic recycling to residents at:
Springfield Delco Public Works
1258 Church Rd.
Springfield, PA 19064
Contact Jeff Bickel at 610-543-2837 for information.
Police Court Yard 24/7 or
Public Works Facility 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Lancaster County Solid Waste Management Authority (www.lcswma.org) Household Hazardous Waste Facility
Lancaster, accepts computers (including peripheral equipment), televisions and cell phones free of charge from Lancaster County residents.
1299 Harrisburg Pike,
Facility hours are Monday – Friday from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Saturday from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Links:Lancaster County
Lehigh County residents can recycle electronics at AERC Recycling Solutions at
1801 Union Blvd. or 2591 Mitchell Ave, Allentown, PA
Fridays between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m.
List of prices (pdf) and AERC Electronic Recycling Information
Contact information: 610-797-7608 or visit www.aercrecycling.com.
Links: Lehigh County
Montgomery County – Cheltenham Township – Residents can recycle electronics at:
Cheltenham Township Public Works Facility
8101 Old York Rd.
Elkins Park, PA 19027
William Ferrari 215-635-4600
Mon. to Fri. 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Sat. 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
East Greenville Recycling Center
620 W. Side Alley.
Pennsburg, PA 18073
215-679-5194
Mon. to Fri. 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Sat. 8 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Lower Merion Township Township – Residents can recycle electronics at:
Robert J. Koegel Public Works Complex
1300 N. Woodbine Ave.
Penn Valley, PA 19072
Joseph Przybyszewski 610-667-1952
Mon. to Fri. 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Sat. 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Northampton Borough – Residents Only
King Street Recycling Center
King Street
Northampton, PA 18067
Hours: Wed. 2:00 to 5:00 p.m.
Sat. 8:00 p.m. to Noon
Contact: Gene Zarayko (610) 262-2576
Philadelphia County – Computers, TV’s and cell phones are accepted at all HHW Events. Citizens may bring their computers and TV’s to any Sanitation Convenience Center
Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Links:Philadelphia County
Wayne County residents may drop off electronics at the Wayne County Recycling Center
66 Volunteer Dr., Honesdale, Pa.
Hours are Monday – Friday from 7:00 am to 4:30 pm or Saturday from 7:00 a.m. to1:00 p.m.
Questions can be directed to the Wayne County Recycling Center at 570-253-9727 or E-Mail: .
Links:Wayne County
Delaware County Municipal Curbside and Drop Off Programs
http://www.co.delaware.pa.us/recycle/pdf/townhsipcurb.pdf
Delaware County 2013 E-Waste Recycling Events
Saturday, October 19, 2013
8500 Furey Road
Upper Chichester, PA 19061
Upper Chichester Township Municipal Building
Shredding Events
City of Bethlehem – FREE SHREDDING SERVICE
Shredding of confidential documents is available FREE to businesses and private individuals at the Theis/Cornfeld Recycling Center. If you have 4 or more boxes, please call (610) 865-7082 to schedule an appointment.
Hours of Shredding – Monday-Saturday – 9:00a – 3:00p
We cannot shred the following:
Northampton Township has scheduled two e-waste recycling events for April 20 and Sept. 28
Northampton Township has partnered with Leck Waste Services to schedule two e-waste recycling events so residents have a place to properly dispose of computers and other electronics safely.
The first e-waste recycling event will be held April 20 from 8 a.m. to noon and the second will be held Sept. 28 , also from 8 a.m. to noon. Both events will be held at Leck, 237 Jacksonville Road, Ivyland.
According to township officials, a new state law prohibits the township’s trash hauler from taking electronics. The law, the Covered Device Recycling Act 108, prohibits computers, keyboards, televisions, printers, microwave ovens, fax machines and other electronics from disposal at Department of Environmental Protection solid waste landfills.
Acceptable e-waste recycling items include:
Monthly Community Shredding Services
Titan Mobile Shredding Service
Cost at all locations is $10 for each standard file box, copy paper box or the equivalent.
One box minimum quantity – No maximum box quality
Cash or checks only please, no credit cards are accepted at Community Shredding
No reservations required, just stop by!
First Friday of Every Month
Bailiwick Office Park
252 West Swamp Rd (Rt 313 & Rt 611 Bypass)
Doylestown, PA 18901
Time: 8:30am – 9:30am
Second Tuesday of Every Month
Upper Moreland Township Library
117 Park Ave (off Rt 611 in the Police Dept parking lot)
Willow Grove, PA 19090
Time: 8:30am – 9:30am
Third Thursday of Every Month
Shady Brook Farm
931 Stony Hill Rd
Yardley, PA 19067
Time: 12noon – 1:00am
http://www.titanshredding.com/Community-Shredding-Services.aspx
http://www.titanshredding.com/Community-Shredding-Services.aspx#calendar
Saturday, September 28, 2013
Larry Farmbry & Associates
7300 City Line Ave.
Philadelphia, PA 19151
11:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m.
215-877-4950
http://larryfarmbry.com/new/larryfarmbry/
http://www.proshred.com/all-events
Representative Rozzi
4933 Kutztown Road
Temple, PA 19560
11:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m.
610-921-8921
http://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/legis/home/member_information/house_bio.cfm?id=1647
http://www.proshred.com/all-events
Bucks First Credit Union & Bucks County Planning Commission
Lower Makefield Corporate Center
770 Township Line Road
Yardley, PA 19067
9:00 a.m.-12:00 noon
215.788.5270
http://www.bucksfirstfcu.com
Saturday, October 5, 2013
Friends of Easttown Public Library
720 First Ave
Berwyn, PA 19312
9:00 a.m.–12:00 noon
http://www.proshred.com/all-events
http://www.easttownlibrary.org/friends-of-the-library
$10 for one box or two shopping bags
First National Bank & Trust of Newtown
Bucks County Community College
275 Swamp Road
Newtown, PA 18940
9:00 a.m.-11:00 a.m.
http://www.fnbn.com
http://www.titanshredding.com/Community-Shredding-Services.aspx
Saturday, October 12, 2013
Whitemarsh Township
Miles Park – Lower Parking Lot, Germantown Pike
Plymouth Meeting, PA 19444
8:00 a.m.–12:00 noon
610-825-3535
http://www.whitemarshtwp.org/services/public-works/waste.aspx
Middletown Township (Residents only)
3 Municipal Way
Langhorne, PA 19047
9:00 a.m.-11:00 a.m.
http://www.middletowntwpbucks.org
http://www.titanshredding.com/Community-Shredding-Services.aspx
Upper Macungie Township
Public Works Garage
8550 Schantz Rd.
Breinigsville, PA 18031
9:00 a.m.-12:00 noon
610-395-4892
http://www.uppermac.org
http://www.titanshredding.com/Community-Shredding-Services.aspx
Saturday, October 19, 2013
Penn Liberty Bank Trooper
2724 Ridge Pike
9:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m.
610-535-4860
https://www.pennlibertybank.com/UserFiles/File/2013Shred_Event_flyer.pdf
Schuylkill Township
1580 Charlestown Road
Phoenixville, PA
610-933-5843
http://www.schuylkilltwp.com
http://www.proshred.com/all-events
Saturday, October 26, 2013
Montgomery County
Lower Merion High School
Montgomery Avenue
Ardmore, PA
9:00 a.m.-12:00 noon
http://www.montcopa.org/index.aspx?NID=1588
Representative Briggs
554 Shoemaker Road
King of Prussia, PA 19406
11:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m.
610-768-3135
http://www.pahouse.com/briggs/
http://www.proshred.com/philadelphia/events
“Get your affairs in order.”
What reaction comes up in you when you hear that phrase? “I’ll think about that someday–in the distant future.” “I’m too young to bother with that stuff.” “That’s for people with problems I don’t have yet—thank God.” “I wouldn’t know where to begin.” “I don’t have any affairs to get in order!”
Do you have children under your care? Are you responsible for an aging relative, in whole or in part? Is there someone with disabilities in your life? Do you feel uneasy when you hear of a catastrophic event happening to someone younger than you? Do you treasure your independence? Do you own a home and/or things that are special to you? Do you do everything legally within your power to minimize your annual income taxes?
If you answered “yes” to even one of these questions, then starting now to get your affairs in order might make sense for you.
We usually associate getting our affairs in order with legal documents and professional experts such as wills, powers of attorney and advance directives, lawyers, accountants and financial planners. While these documents and experts certainly play important roles in your well-ordered affairs, just making a few basic lists yourself can be a useful start:
Still feeling daunted? You might consider enlisting the help of a professional organizer to get your affairs in order. Professional organizers are experts at helping people sort through quantities of papers and objects, separate the important from the inessential, and arrange useful objects and information in systems that are easily accessed and used. Getting your affairs in order is just a process for capturing the essential information about you as a person and what you own, in a form that can be used readily by others if you become unable to communicate, along with legal documents that clearly express how you want yourself and your possessions to be handled. You can do this, and an organizer just might provide you the support you need to get started!
For most of us, tax season is over, and we can now breathe a sigh of relief for another year. If you plan to shred or recycle large quantities of paper, now is the perfect time to do so.
With a little bit of planning, you can get your paperwork in order without too much angst.
Here are 4 tips to help you:
1. Make room for new materials by going through your filing cabinets (or wherever you keep your files). Shred taxes and the back-up documentation older than 7 years, old bills, old insurance policies, old bank statements, or anything old that has personal identifiable information on it. Recycle old newspaper and magazine articles, defunct travel brochures, etc.
2. Review your filing system to determine if the way you have your files set up works well for you. If not, for example, change the names of the files, or change the placement of the files.
3. Set up new files for the New Year if you have not done so yet, labeling them with meaningful names, so they are easily retrievable.
4. Check to see if your township is holding a free shred event. Many towns do so right after tax season to help their residents dispose of their paperwork that has personal identifiable information on it.
Since organizing is an ongoing process, files will have to be tweaked and paperwork will have to be shredded or recycled periodically. Remember, you can also get a lot of information on-line. However, if you follow these few steps, your system will be in order for the rest of 2013, and paperwork that has to be filed will have a home.
Now is the time to Go from Bedlam to Brilliance!
As an organizer of medical and financial records for seniors and others affected by age, illness and disability, I get this question a lot. A person with multiple medical conditions can quickly acquire cartons of paperwork from Medicare, doctors’ offices, and health insurance companies.
It’s helpful to start with what medical EOBs prove:
So, medical EOBs can be useful for:
Obviously, keeping medical EOBs is worthwhile for some period of time. What to do with it all and how long to keep these records will vary with your personal situation. Here are two sets of guidelines for medical EOB retention periods and good practices – one for people in normal health and one for people with chronic, debilitating or terminal health conditions:
Normal Health
1. Keep medical EOBs in a file for one year. As the bills and EOBs for a medical service come in, match related items together, and address any discrepancies you detect. Examples might include double billing or your health insurance company overlooking the fact that you have met your deductible.
2. If, at the end of the year, you find you have paid enough in medical bills to qualify for the medical tax deduction, file the medical EOBs with your tax documentation, and keep for seven years.
3. If you do not qualify for the medical tax deduction, and the medical bills have been paid in full by you and all providers, and you are no longer doctoring for the condition, you can safely shred last year’s crop of medical EOBs while you’re wrapping up your taxes.
4. If some bills are still outstanding or the patient is still receiving treatment, keep the related EOBs for another year, and repeat the process.
Serious Health Condition
1. Keep a current file close at hand for this year’s medical EOBs. As the bills and EOBs for a medical service come in, match related items together, and address any discrepancies you detect.
2. At the end of the year, store all of these records in date order, keeping items you’ve matched up together, in a less prominent place. You could use a file cabinet in another room or a cardboard file box in a dry, mildew-free storage area. If you claimed the medical tax deduction, put a note in your tax records cross-referencing these health files.
3. Keep these medical records according to this timeline:
a. For five years after the serious health condition has cleared up.
b. For seven years if you’ve claimed the medical deduction.
c. Indefinitely, if the patient is chronically ill.
d. Until the executor informs you that the estate is completely wrapped up, if the patient has passed away.
In both of the above situations, you can keep the medical records on paper or scanned onto a computer based on your preference. If you keep paper files, keep them out of areas where they can get wet, e.g., a basement floor. If you go the electronic route, be sure to back up your data reliably.
One final note: Don’t panic if you need one or more medical EOBs or haven’t kept them according to the above guidelines. All health insurers, including Medicare, can replace an EOB, because they store them electronically.
Without a doubt, the biggest clutter problem that faces people these days is paper. It comes in through snail mail every day, from the kids bringing forms home, from items we print from our computer, notes that we make to ourselves in our car or while sitting in the doctor’s office, and just about everywhere we go.
Out of frustration, sometimes people just put it in a pile on the counter or desk and then the next day add more and then the next day more, etc. until the pile can’t stand on its own anymore. The “tipping point” is when the pile starts falling over.
When it gets to this point, most people start going through the paper and files from the bottom up worrying that the papers on the bottom would be the most urgent. Sounds logical enough until you realize that if there’s anything on the bottom that needed attention, you mostly likely would have had a call or crisis to bring it to your attention. Nine times out of ten, most things take care of themselves by just becoming obsolete.
The more efficient way to sort when you have larges piles of paper is to start at the top and by handling the most recent and to include each new day’s papers with the process. That way when you do get to the bottom, most of which probably just needs to be filed or tossed, you’ll be on top of everything. Starting at the bottom and continuing to pile new incoming papers on top just adds to the feeling that you’re never quite caught up.
To stay in control of paper, set up a system where you make decisions each day for 5 minutes. It doesn’t matter what time of day as long as it becomes part of every day. Paper can be divided into just a few categories: Toss / shred / file / needs action.
If you want to spread it around more, you can also have a stack for someone else to review and handle (read as husband or significant other). There’s no reason why all the paper in the house is exclusively your responsibility. If your children are old enough, they might even be able to take responsibility for some of it. With a little investment of your time, you could assign older children these tasks, helping take some stress from you and teaching them responsibility that will serve them well as they begin to deal with the same issue.
Don’t surrender to the battle that paper presents every day. Divide and conquer!
