Recycling: A Different Perspective

At WACOSA we encourage everyone to recycle. While you probably have seen our recycling bins located across Central Minnesota, have you ever wondered what happens after you’ve dropped your plastic bottles in the bin?

There are three steps to the recycling process. Although the phrase “reduce, reuse, recycle,” is commonly used, we hope our spin on the three steps will provide you with a new perspective of the recycling process.

1. Collection (Recycle)
Many homes and businesses have separate bins for recycled materials. Therefore, there are different methods of collection. The methods include: curbside pickup, drop-off centers, buy-back centers, and deposit/refund programs.

After the recyclables are collected, they are sent to a facility where they are sorted and prepared into profitable materials to be sold to different processing companies.

2. Processing (Reduce)
After being collected, the recycled goods are cleaned and sorted. Then they are processed to recover the raw materials. When the raw materials are retrieved, they are used to make the newly recycled products.

Before the recyclables can be made into new products, they must be broken down, melted or liquefied, and crushed or shredded.

3. Purchasing Recycled Products (Reuse)
Purchasing newly recycled products completes the recycling loop. These products are sent to stores to be purchased. The popularity of recycled products is growing immensely. More and more products are being manufactured with almost all recycled or partially recycled material. As long as we can keep it up with recycling, manufacturers will continue to produce high-quality recycled products.

Hoping to implement more recycling at your business or organization? Consider WACOSA’s recycling solutions. 

THRIFTWORKS!, a thrift store in Waite Park, MN, is operatedby WACOSA, a nonprofit serving adults with disabilities. All proceeds benefit WACOSA whose mission is to provide individuals with
disabilities the opportunity to work and live in their community.

 

Waite Park shopping & donation hours:

310 Sundial Drive (just east of Crafts Direct) Convenient drive-thru drop off Monday - Friday 10:00am to 7:00pm

Saturday 9am to 5pm Closed Sundays


Sauk Centre donation only hours:

712 Lincoln Loop in Sauk Centre Drop off at main entrance Monday - Friday 9am to 4pm



Important details about our monthly specials

Military Mondays 25% off your purchase - must have valid military ID Student Tuesdays 25% off your purchase - must have valid student ID Senior Wednesdays - 55 or over, must have valid picture ID White & yellow tags are excluded from all specials and coupons No cash value with any of our specials or coupons

FOLLOW WACOSA ON FACEBOOK FOR UPDATES AND SPECIALS Ask about joining our ThriftWorks! email list for exclusive specials!

THRIFTworks! Grand Opening

We are excited to announce that THRIFTworks! Grand Opening is May 4th from 9am to 5pm and we want you to join us in the celebration.

A few exciting things that will be taking place

Matt & Amy from Wild Country 99 will be here from 12pm-3pm

Trevor Paul Davis, local author booksigning 12pm-3pm

Dickey's Barbecue Pit will be handing out coupons for a FREE sandwich (while supplies last)

Registrations for a chance to WIN an iPad or iPad mini, sponsored by Insight Insurance Services

Drawing for the iPad mini will be announced on May 4th 

Register at THRIFTworks! through the entire month of May, 2013 

for the16 GB iPad featuring retina display and wi-fi

                                                           No purchase necessary, must be 18 to enter. Official rules available by request. 

Trevor Paul Davis will be at THRIFTworks! on May 4th for book signings.

Trevor Paul Davis is from Dassel, Minnesota.  His diagnosis of Asperger's Syndrom has not kept him from finding success in life.  He graduated from Dassel-Cokato High School in 2010 and currently attends St. Cloud State University.  He enjoys playing piano, teaching Bible verses to children as a leader at AWANA, and spending time with his two dogs, Patches and Izzy.  In 2009 he received the honor of Eagle Scout through his involvment with Boy Scouts of America.

Trevor is now pursuing his dream of becoming a librarian and best-selling children's book author.  Trevor's love of trains inspired him to create "The Adventures of Charley McChooChoo" children's book series.  His first book, "Danny and the Whistling Engine", was released during Autism Awareness Month in April 2012. The Moral of the story: turning a disability into an ability!  For more information about how to purchase books from this series visit www.CharleyMcChooChoo.weebly.com.

                               

Holiday Light and Cord Recycling and the Community

As a non-profit, WACOSA connects employment needs of the business community with those individuals who, due to mental or physical disabilities, had not realized their full potential. One of WACOSA’s specialties is providing recycling solutions for businesses and individuals. Through WACOSA’s Holiday Light & Cord Recycling campaign, WACOSA has recycled over 22,501 pounds of wire!

The benefits of WACOSA’s Holiday Light & Cord Recycling campaign go further than benefiting the environment. People in our community have provided 115 jobs to adults with disabilities by recycling holiday lights and cords. This provided more than 9,120 hours of paid work!

WACOSA helps people become a contributing member of their community and realize their full potential. We would like to thank the people in our community for helping us and encourage others to do the same. This holiday season GO GREEN, reduce clutter, help the environment, create jobs, and realize your own potential as a contributing member to the community by supporting our Holiday Light and Cord Recycling campaign.

Donating is easy! WACOSA is accepting holiday lights and electrical cords for recycling, FREE of charge! Visit our website for a complete list of drop sites near you for the holidays. WACOSA accepts donations year round at 321 Sundial Drive in Waite Park.