Allen Image

by Teresa Forsyth Warren

It’s the first Saturday in November–what are you doing to help our environment? Would you like a way to not only clean-up but also to give back to area community organizations? Then visit the Allen City Hall parking lot and rotunda at 305 Century Parkway on Saturday, November 1 from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. and bring your recyclable and reusable goods with you!

Sponsored by Keep Allen Beautiful in cooperation with the Recycling Alliance of Texas, Keep Texas Beautiful, and the City of Allen, Allen Recycles Day provides donation and recycling opportunities for everything from pet products, household items, eye wear, cell phones, computers, books, shoes, and much more. Numerous organizations will be on hand to collect these items for reuse by someone else in our community or to recycle items in order to provide the least environmental impact.

The Allen Animal Shelter will be accepting a wide range of pet products including collars, leashes, toys, pet bowls, brushes, combs, pet houses, towels and blankets. They are also in need of pet food, treats, flea treatments, animal shampoo, laundry detergent and spray bottles.

Clean out your closet and bring your clothing and accessories that you no longer need for the Allen Community Outreach. Please remember all items must be washed and pre-bagged for transportation to their sorting facility. ACO is also requesting reusable household items and will provide you with a donation receipt upon request.

Help support Allen’s great library by bringing your gently used hardback and paperback books, magazines and audio books for the Friends of the Allen Public Library ongoing book sale. Other items they will accept include videos, DVDs, CDs, cassettes, records, puzzles and flash cards.

Cyclone Aluminum and Steel will accept donations of old computers and all related accessories, copiers, fax machines, telephones, answering machines, printers, ink cartridges, lawn mowers, grills and small electric kitchen appliances.

The Shoe Bank is in need of adult athletic shoes and all types of children’s shoes.

The Allen Noon Lion’s Club will accept eyeglasses, frames, prescription sunglasses and accessories. They will also accept donations of old cell phones.

Community Waste Disposal wants your cardboard and Brink’s Document Destruction will provide free on-site shredding of personal documents for up to 2 double-sized filing boxes per household (10" H x 12" W x 24" D).

In addition to the reuse and recycling collection, Allen ISD students will have recycled art on display in the City Hall Rotunda from October 28 through November 1. There will be an awards ceremony to honor the top artists at 11 a.m. in the Allen City Council Chambers on Saturday, November 1.

Keep an eye out around town as various groups will be participating in beautification and landscaping projects and roadway and waterway cleanups. If you have an organization that would like to provide a beautification or cleanup project, or to find out more information on Texas and Allen Recycles Day please contact 214-509-4551 or email amartin@cityofallen.org.

And remember – Allen Recycles Today for Tomorrow!