Non-Toxic Dry-Cleaning
Dry cleaners commonly use a dry-cleaning solvent called PERC (perchlorethylene) in their cleaning process. Concerns about PERC include harm to the Earth’s ozone layer and its toxicity to humans and pets. PERC is a known carcinogen and is linked with lung, liver, nervous system, and reproductive system disorders. PERC is extremely volatile and can even penetrate walls. It is often listed in environmental clean-up sites around defunct dry cleaning operations.

Enviro Cleaners of Boulder uses “Drylene,” a PERC alternative that is 99% less toxic than PERC. They also offer the “wet clean” alternative to PERC, and use only citrus-based laundry detergent for their regular laundering. Additionally, Enviro Cleaners recycles metal clothes hangers (yes, you can drop yours off), recycles as much as possible, and uses only wind-generated electricity for all its power needs.

Enviro Cleaners is located at 2859 28th Street in Boulder, 303-998-0206.

Plaques with a Difference
Do you have an outstanding employee to recognize? Are you planning a tournament and need plaques and trophies? Why not recognize achievements with a beautiful plaque made of recycled paper?

Westwood Trading Company produces gorgeous plaques and trophies made of pressed, recycled paper and post-industrial acrylic. Your award recipients will not believe their eyes when you tell them their trophies are made of paper. Westwood Trading Company uses high-tech laser engraving techniques for custom engraving. A variety of colors are available.

You can contact Westwood Trading Company at 303-606-4780, or visit them at 2585 W. 8th Ave., Denver, CO 80204.

Beautiful Recycled Gifts
Folks in Longmont who recycle their ink jet and laser printer cartridges probably already know about Hard Copy Recycling. The same folks who bring you top quality, recycled cartridges have expanded their business to include beautiful gifts, all made of recycled material. You’ll find EcoGifts in the same building as Hard Copy.

You’re sure to find the perfect gift for that special person. How about a small, nesting bird or a sun-catcher made entirely of recycled glass? Need flower pots? They have many different colors, made of recycled milk jugs and baseboard trim. How about a compost bucket made from recycled plastic that fits under your sink? There are also envelopes and stationery and wrapping paper and computer paper and much, much more.

Visit EcoGifts and Hard Copy Recycling at 454 Main Street in Longmont, or call them at 303-772-2902.

Recycle Printer Cartridges
There are many local companies that recycle both laser and ink jet printer cartridges. One company, RecycleUS.com, Ribbon Recyclers, Inc. offers an online service and free mailing label so customers can send their empty cartridges directly to their factory in Denver. They specialize in ink jet cartridges, although they also recycle laser cartridges. For a list of available ink jet cartridges, and to obtain the best price on recycling your used ink jet cartridges, visit Ribbon Recyclers’ website at www.RecycleUS.com. If you require information on laser cartridge recycling, please contact them by email via the website.

Biodegradable Golf Balls and Tees
Spring is here and golfers will be stretching their legs out on the links. Here’s a couple of products that will help golfers save some trees and prevent injury to sea animals.

EcoGolf distributes the Eco Golf Tee, which is made of biodegradable cornstarch and will safely decompose into the soil within a year, depending on soil and weather conditions.

What about those linksters who embark upon ocean cruises and spend their afternoons hitting golf balls into the sea? Not only are those golf balls wasted, they’re hazardous, even lethal to sea animals when they are mistaken for food. EcoGolf has a solution for this hazard: golf balls made from the same ingredients as dog biscuits!

If you’re planning an ocean cruise, contact the liner and ask what type of golf balls they supply on board. To obtain more information about both the Eco Golf Tee and the Eco Golf Ball, contact EcoGolf, toll-free at

1-888-326-3003, or visit their web site at, www.ecogolf.com.

Canvas Bags with a Conscience
A wonderful way to gain name recognition for your company or organization, or to provide a terrific employee gift is to have your logo printed on a reusable canvas shopping bag. Tree Saver in Denver offers two styles of shopping bags, both made of 100% unbleached cotton. Both printing and embroidery options are available to display your company logo or environmental message. Tree Saver also manufactures reusable trash bags, dry cleaning bags, and multi-purpose mesh bags.

Call Tree Saver at 303-781-2646. Outside the Denver area, call toll free 1-800-676-7741. Tree Saver’s address is 2830 S. Shoshone St., Englewood, CO 80110.

Rustic Shingles: From Your Six Pack to Your Roof
According to Classic Products, Inc., manufacturers of the Rustic Shingle, 11.5 million cubic yards of roofing waste is generated in the U.S. annually. It is often very difficult to find any disposal method for an old roof other than the landfill.

Enter the Rustic Shingle, made of 97% recycled aluminum (70% of which is recycled beverage cans). The Rustic Shingle is so lightweight that it is often possible to install it directly over an old roof, keeping the old roof out of the landfill.

Locally, the Rustic Shingle is available through AMNIS Construction and Supply, 50 S. Havana, Aurora, CO 80012, 303-366-8332. Or visit their web page at http://home.earthlink.net/~amnis.

Biodegradable Flatware
In July of 1999 Eco-Cycle helped the City of Longmont’s Rhythm on the River Festival divert 80% of the festival’s waste through recycling and composting. An important part of last year’s success was the use of cornstarch-based plastic knives, forks and spoons. These utensils contain no petroleum and are 100% biodegradable. Flatware was collected along with non-meat food waste from the festival and sent to a commercial composting facility.

BioCorp plastic flatware is now available locally. Look for this innovative product at Healthway Foods Market in Longmont; Wal-Mart (with locations in Longmont and Lafayette); Alfalfa’s Market in Boulder; Vitamin Cottage; Whole Foods Market in Boulder; and Steamboat Mt. Foods in Lyons. Whenever possible, it’s best to use reusable flatware, but if disposable is what you need, why not get the kind that can be recycled into compost for your garden?

Recycle Computer Diskettes and CDS
It’s a sad fact of life: even the most trustworthy computer disk may someday fail to perform. When your diskettes and CDS give up the proverbial ghost, or if you find yourself with more than any self-respecting computer geek needs, don’t throw them away; recycle them!

There are many opportunities to recycle computer disks and diskettes. Locally, you can donate them to Makin’ Time, where they’ll be combined with old computer parts to make clocks.

You can donate unwanted floppies to Floppies for Kiddies a project of CityLink. Donate one or a thousand, and Floppies for Kiddies will distribute them to people in need. You may learn more about this project on the Web at http://www.usacitylink.com/disks/, or by calling Blake & Associates at (504) 898-2158.

To mail your floppies directly, send them to USA CityLink Project, Attn: Floppies for Kiddies. Compact computer disks and audio CDS may be recycled through NE-SAR Systems. For shipping instructions and package weight limits, contact NE-SAR at 724-827-8172, or write to NE-SAR Systems, 420 Ashwood Road, Darlington, PA 16115-9325.

Reduce Junk Mail
Write To:
Mail Preference Service
Direct Marketing Association, Inc.
P.O. Box 9008
Farmingdale, NY 11735-9008

Or: Send the mailing label back to the sender requesting to be taken off their mailing list; or call them if they have a toll-free 1-800 number.