VO GREEN resident GUIDE`14(colored)

Think “Gr een”
Ventur e Out Recycling Handbook
2013-2014 Season
V
enture Out encourages residents to conserve resources. We try to use our resources
wisely and recycle it responsibly when we are ready to dispose of it. We conserve
water because we ALL pay for the water used in the park, and we don’t like to see
our resources (or our money) wasted. We recycle all items that we can because there is NO
COST to Venture Out for removal of recyclable materials.
Please help us conserve our resources:
Water
 Take shorter showers and use a low flow shower head (available at the
Administration Office).
 Report leaks immediately.
 Consider low-water-use plants, and don’t over water your landscaping.
 Choose water wise appliances and wash only full loads of clothes and dishes.
 Sweep rather than wash down your driveway.
Energy
 Turn off TVs, computers, lights and appliances when not in use.
 Choose energy efficient appliances and lighting (use and LED and compact
fluorescents lights).
Recycling
 Bring your reusable table service and coffee cup to park events.
 Follow the Mesa Blue Barrel and VO guidelines to recycle items.
◊ Plastics (#1 thru #7)
◊ Glass
◊ Bi-metal cans (tin)
◊ Paper (Newspapers, magazines, junk mail, phone books, and shredded paper)
◊ Aluminum
◊ Small batteries
◊ Tree and shrub trimmings (NO PALMS or construction debris in green bin)
◊ Cardboard (must be flattened)
◊ Appliances (working or non-working)
◊ Metal (scrap metal, barbecues, propane tanks, water heaters, etc.)
Disposal of items
Always consider donating any usable item to a charity before adding to the dumpsters and
landfill. This handbook contains donation suggestions.
 Household garbage and waste
 Household items
 Palm trimmings
 *Remodeling/construction debris
 *Landscape debris (asphalt, landscape rock, dirt, etc.)
 TVs and Electronics (not accepted in the VO waste bin! See suggestions for
responsible disposal in this handbook)
 Hazardous Waste (not accepted in VO waste bin! See guidelines for responsible
disposal in this handbook.)the
*contact the Administrative Office to purchase the required permit
VO Garbage a nd Recycling
Item
Garbage pick up –
November-April: MWF pickup.
May- October: Tues. & Friday pickup.
City of Mesa Recycling.
(Blue Bins)
Please keep the Mesa Blue Barrel
Recycling flyer handy for reference
Newspaper/paper/cardboard
(Green Depot bins)
Landscaping/Green Waste
(Green dumpster in the southwest corner
(think hobby center/pet walk) of the VO
property
Cardboard
(White bins)
Aluminum
(Containers throughout park and at the
northeast recycling center)
Batteries
(Container in Activity Office)
Misc. waste/building
materials/landscape
rock/dirt
(White roll-off dumpster in the southeast
corner (think maintenance yard) of the
VO property
Appliances (working or not)
(no TVs or Electronics)
Metal
Biohazard Waste
What to include
How to Recycle
Wet garbage—place garbage in
standard bags or reuse grocery bags.
Nothing on the garbage can lid when you have
a pickup.
Place bags in cans for street side pick
up or if going to the centers, place in
clearly labeled waste bins.
Plastic items (#1 thru #7) such as
milk jugs, cottage cheese, yogurt
containers, margarine tubs, laundry
detergent containers, water bottles,
plastic cups/containers, milk and
juice cartons, food cans, wine bottles,
glass bottles/jars etc.
No Styrofoam
Place the small paver/or gravel on top of the
lid when you DO NOT have a pick-up.
Newspapers, bills, catalogs, junk
mail, magazines, light cardboard (e.g.
cereal and toothpaste boxes), etc.
These are collected by United Fiber
which pays Venture Out a fee. We
want to maximize this collection.
Small bags of yard waste or small
bundles of tree limbs bound and tied
and not exceeding 4’ in length will be
picked up on the normal trash days.
Tie up or place in bags outside garbage can or
deliver to the Green Depot bins in the SW and
SE corners of VO.
Large loads of trimmings can be
deposited in the green roll off
container. This container is hauled at
a reduced rate and must not be
contaminated (mixed with any other
materials). Do not place palms,
rocks or dirt in this container.
Corrugated boxes, packing boxes,
large appliance boxes.
Boxes must be broken down so that
they lay flat! Cut very large boxes
into smaller pieces.
Aluminum cans, and larger pieces of
scrap aluminum collected by the
Mobile Nobles Shriner’s Club.
AA, AAA, C, D, 9-volt, hearing aid
batteries, rechargeable, camera, cell
phone, etc. No car/golf cart batteries.
All materials such as building
supplies, dirt, rock, household items,
etc. are to be disposed of in the White
roll off container. If depositing
building materials Make certain that
you have removed screws or nails
from building materials
Stoves, Refrigerators, Washers or
Dryers, small appliances like toasters,
irons, etc. Do Not put in dumpster.
Barbecues, scrap metal, building
scrap metal, wiring, etc.
Any syringes, medical supplies,
“sharps,”, razor blades, etc must be
disposed of properly and preferably
using a waste receptacle. Absolutely
no syringes without proper
containment, in a marked container.
Place in bags outside garbage can or deliver to
the appropriate Blue recycling bins at the
recycling centers at the SW and SE corners of
the VO property.
Place green material in the Green roll off
located in the southwest corner of the VO
property.
This roll off is for green organic waste.
Always place palm trimmings in the waste
bin.
When an unacceptable item is placed in a
recycling bin it’s considered a
“contaminated load” and we pay $$$ for
garbage removal.
Place beside the garbage cans on the day of
pick up or take directly to the recycling centers
and place them in special White bins.
Collection bins are available in the Baja Bistro,
the Ballroom, and throughout the park. Large
scrap aluminum is collected in the northeast
corner area.
Collection container is available in the Activity
Office
Obtain a permit for dumping building
materials, asphalt, landscape rock and other
construction materials from the Administration
Office.
There is a dumping fee for disposal of
remodel/construction materials!
Place outside recycling waste bin at the SW
maintenance yard or call (480) 219-2669 to
arrange for free pick-up at your place.
Place outside recycling waste bin at the SW
maintenance yard or call (480) 219-2669 to
arrange for free pick-up at your place.
Place in a biohazard waste receptacle that can
be obtained through your physician or local
pharmacies.
Mesa’s Blue Barrel Recycling Prog ram
Venture Out does not have to pay for the removal of recycled material! Items
to be recycled through the Mesa program can be placed near the garbage can
or you can place them in the blue bins in the SW and SE corners of the VO
property. Please remove items from plastic bags before placing them in
the barrels. The information listed here provides helpful hints and answers to
commonly asked questions about the Mesa Blue Barrel Recycling program*.
All items should be relatively clean, dry and empty. Lids and labels need not
be removed.
Plastics Cups and containers #1-#7
Glass
o Plastic bottles, jugs and jars (milk, peanut
butter, soda, water, mustard, shampoo,
mouthwash, medicine, lotion, detergent,
bleach, etc.)
o Disposable plastic cups (no Styrofoam)
o Yogurt, cottage cheese, margarine & whipped
topping containers
o “Clamshell” food containers (e.g. produce,
baked goods, etc.)
o No Styrofoam, plastic bags or plastic film
Bottles & jars containing a
food or beverage when
purchased.
o Mayonnaise jars
o Pickle and jelly jars, etc.
o Wine jugs and bottles
o Beer bottles
Metal
Metal cans containing a food
or beverage when purchased
o Fruit, vegetable and soup
cans
o Tuna and pet food cans
o Aluminum pans, foil
Items not accepted in Mesa’s
recycling program
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Paper Packaging
o Packaging boxes (please
remove inside packing
materials)
o Milk, juice & ice cream
cartons
o Facial tissue boxes, cereal,
detergent, shoe boxes &
other packaging containers
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Air-conditioning filters
Batteries (Activity Office)
Candy wrappers
Clothes hangers, scrap
metal, automotive parts
Diapers
Dinnerware (glass or plastic)
Gift Wrap
Light bulbs, ceramics or
window glass
Motor-oil containers
Packing materials
(Styrofoam peanuts, bubble
wrap)
Paper towels, napkins,
tissues or paper plates
Plastic bags (can be recycled
at your local retail store)
Potato chip bags
PVC piping
Styrofoam of any kind
including egg cartons
VO Recycling of other items
Newspaper/paper/cardboard
(Green Depot Bins)
These items are collected by United Fiber who pays Venture Out for these materials. We
want to maximize this collection! Place in bags outside your garbage can, or you can deliver
and place paper in the Green Depot bins located in the SE and SW corners of the VO
property. Please remove paper from plastic bags before placing paper in the dumpster.
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Newspapers
White & colored paper
Bills, bulk (junk) mail
Magazines, phonebooks, catalogs
Light cardboard (e.g. cereal and toothpaste boxes)
Shredded paper (in a clear plastic bag, then poke a
hole in the bag to release air)
Landscape Waste/Green Recycling
(Green roll off bins)
VO staff picks up small bundles of yard waste (no longer than 4’ in
length) which has been bundled, tied and placed near your garbage
can. Take larger loads to the green roll off bin located in the SW
corner. Do not place palms, rocks or dirt in this container!
(These go in the white Misc. waste roll off) Any time an
unacceptable item (e.g. a palm branch) is placed in this container,
the entire load is considered “contaminated” and we must pay $$$
to have it removed as garbage!
Corrugated boxes, packing boxes/large appliance boxes
(White bins)
Boxes must be broken down (flattened) and placed inside the bin.
Please do not dump boxes that have not been flattened in or near the bin!
Cut very large boxes into smaller pieces.
Misc. waste/building materials/landscape rock/dirt
(White roll off)
o Dirt/rock
o Palms
o Building materials
o Household items
There is a dumping fee for disposal of remodel/construction/landscaping
materials. Please obtain a dumping permit from the Administrative Office.
Please do not place any item containing hazardous waste in this container.
Aluminum
o Soda/beer cans
o Pie/bakery goods plates/clean aluminum foil
o Screen doors/outdoor furniture
Deposit cans in recycling containers throughout the park marked CANS.
Take larger items such as aluminum siding, outdoor furniture, etc. to the
Shriner’s recycling area located in the NE corner of the VO property near
the tennis courts. Mobile Nobles Shriner’s club benefits from this recycling.
Appliances (no TVs or electronics)
These items are accepted whether working or not
o Small appliances (irons, toasters, hair dryers, etc.)
o Microwave ovens
o Refrigerators, freezers, stoves
o Washers or Dryers
Phone (480) 219-2669 to arrange for pick-up at your unit, take
to the holding area near the waste dumpster, or deliver the item
to Velda Rose Methodist Women’s church rummage room at
5502 E. Main Street in Mesa. (M-F 9-12 AM)
Batteries
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All rechargeable batteries
Single-use 9-Volt, AA, AAA, C, D
Hearing aid, cell phone
Power Tool Rechargeable batteries
At VO, you can save batteries and periodically deposit
them in the recycling receptacle at the Activity Office.
The Green Committee will properly dispose of them. You
can also drop off batteries at the Home Depot at 6838 E
Superstition Springs Blvd. in Mesa (near Power and 60).
Household Items (furniture, clothing, linens, dishes, etc.)
Always consider donating any reusable item to the VO Tennis
Club Auction or to a charity before adding it to dumpsters and
landfill. In many cases you can arrange for a pickup. Contact:
o Tennis Club Auction (Leo Chabot)......... (480) 832-9587
o Lutheran Thrift Shop.............................. (480) 218-1425
o Velda Rose Methodist Rummage Sale.... (480) 219-2669
o Sunshine Acres Boutique ....................... (480) 832-2540
o
Metal Items (scrap iron, steel, copper, brass, copper wire, copper plumbing
and car, truck and golf cart batteries, metal building scrap material)
Phone (480) 219-2669 to arrange for free pick-up at your unit,
take to the holding area near the waste dumpster, or deliver
the item to Velda Rose Methodist Women church rummage
room at 5502 E. Main Street in Mesa. (M-F 9-12 AM)
Plastic Bags
The Mesa Blue Barrel program does not accept plastic
bags. All recyclables should be removed from plastic bags
when putting items into the recycling Blue Barrels.
o Take plastic bags to your local retail store for recycling.
o Donate to Pet Association
o Lutheran Thrift Store at 4517 E Main St #104 (near
Greenfield and E. Main St.) takes plastic bags and reuses
them.
TVs and Electronics
Elect ronic equ ip me nt sh ou ld ne ver b e d u m ped int o th e VO w aste bin! T he se
ite ms mu st b e rec yc led as Hazard ou s Waste .
TVs, computers, printers, cell phones, digital cameras and other electronic equipment need special
disposal/recycling because they may contain lead, mercury, and other dangerous gases and metals.
You need to find a responsible way to dispose of equipment you no longer use. When you make a
purchase, ask the retailer if they will recycle your used equipment. If they don’t, then ask how they
recommend that you dispose of the equipment.

Salt River Landfill Electronics Recycling Program accepts all electronic equipment working
or not, old or new. Items are accepted free of charge if no other items are brought to the landfill
disposal during this visit.
Located at Gilbert Rd. & Beeline Hwy
M-Sat 6am-5pm
(480) 941-3427
http://www.saltriverlandfill.com/recycling_information

AZ StRUT (Students Recycling Used Technology) accepts all computer related equipment
working or not, old or new, free of charge. Recycling at the following locations:
1720 W. Broadway Rd. #101 (Stardust Bldg. Materials), Mesa
(480) 222-4066. Drop-Off Hours: Tues and Thursdays from 9am to 3pm
Red Mountain High School -Contact Matt prior to drop off at 480-788-5355

Best Buy has an extensive free Recycling Program for items whether purchased at Best Buy or
not. For details, go to their website:
Bestbuy.com and from their Services menu select Recycle Your Old Products then select
your state: Arizona, or phone 1-888-237-8289 for details and/or to locate a participating store
Household Hazardous Waste
Ne ver pl ace h az ard ou s w as te in a VO du mp ster!
Household hazardous wastes are items that could present an
immediate or long term risk to humans, animals, plants or the
environment. Never pour them down the drain, onto the ground,
into storm sewers, in the trash, or in the VO dumpsters.
The city of Mesa holds several Hazardous Waste Disposal events
each year. Visit the Mesa Recycles website (mesarecycles.com) for
this year’s dates! You can dispose of the following items:
 TVs, electronic and computer equipment
 Prescription and non-prescription drugs
 Pesticides and fertilizers
 Oil based paints, polishes, varnishes, thinner and paint related materials
 Propane and helium tanks
 Aerosol cans
 Automobile tires
 *Fluorescent and compact fluorescent light bulbs
 Motor oil, fuel additives, gasoline, antifreeze, transmission fluid
 Medical sharps in sealed marked containers
 Smoke detectors and fire extinguishers
*Fluorescent and Compact Fluorescent light bulbs can be dropped off at a Home
Depot or Ace Hardware retail stores.
Medications
Prescription and Non-prescription drugs
You must dispose of prescription medications and other drugs you no longer use in a responsible
manner. Unwanted prescription medications vitamins, over the counter medications, pet medications,
etc. should never be flushed down the toilet, placed in the garbage, poured down the drain, or
dumped into the VO waste bin! They can be recycled on Mesa’s Hazardous Waste day or deposited
in the MedReturn boxes at the following Mesa police stations on M-F from 8AM to-5PM.
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Central Station: 120 N. Robson
Red Mountain Station: 4333 E. University
Superstition Station: 2430 S. Ellsworth
Fiesta Station: 1010 W. Grove
Batteries
We must be responsible using and disposing of batteries after we no longer need them. The city of
Mesa provides for disposal centers several times a year. Venture Out also has a plan for disposal of
batteries:
 Collect your batteries and save them
 Periodically, take them the recycling receptacle at the Activity Office
The Green Committee will ensure that they are properly recycled.
Your retailer can recycle car and golf cart batteries when you purchase a replacement.
To learn more about Mesa City Hazardous Waste disposal day, visit the Mesa Recycles website
(http//mesarecycles.com) or phone the Mesa Recycles Customer Service Department at
(480) 644-2221.
Reusable Buil ding Materials
When remodeling a unit, you may have materials that you’re taking out, but they are still usable.
Rather than place these items in the waste bin (and into landfill) we have found that they can be
reused by Habitant for Humanity’s ReStore and other non-profit organizations such a Stardust
Building Supply. Consider donating these items to a used building supplier. Place items that you’re
discarding in the VO recycling “holding area” where they can be picked up, or you can phone directly
for free pickup at your unit. Items that can be reused are sinks, cabinets, doors, windows, showers,
clean toilets, faucets, etc. Please think of donating these items to keep them out of our landfill.
Plant Rescue
Nancy Robinson 600-6646
Re-landscaping? Building a new unit/AZ room? Thinning out a few cacti/ocotillo/agave?
Before your existing desert plants end up in the trash, please call Nancy Robinson.
To improve both security and aesthetics, we are working on enhancing the Park’s perimeter
landscape, and your unwanted plants could be a welcome addition to the plan.
Nancy would be pleased to look at your plant(s) to determine whether or not they can be used.
We also continue to need your used black plastic nursery pots in 1, 2, 3 and 5 gallon sizes for our
plant rescue program. They should be clean and undamaged. You may drop them off at 606 Boeing.
Smaller sized planting containers may be recycled in the Blue Barrels.
Recycling Contact Informatio n (free recycling)
AZ StRUT
1720 W. Broadway Rd. #101
(Located at Stardust Bldg. Materials) Mesa
(480) 222-4066
Drop-Off Hours: Tues and Thursdays from
9am to 3pm
Electronic recycling whether working or not
or
Red Mountain High School
Contact Matt prior to drop off at 480-7885355
Best Buy
Website: Go to Bestbuy.com and from their
Services menu select Recycle Your Old
Products then select your state: Arizona
Phone 1-888-237-8289
Extensive free electronic recycling whether
working or not and whether purchased at Best
Buy or not.
Home Depot
6838 E Superstition Springs Blvd. in Mesa
Battery Recycling, Fluorescent CFL Bulbs
* Not all Home Depot Stores recycle batteries
Lutheran Thrift Store
4517 E Main St #104,
Mesa, AZ 85205
(480) 218-1425
Clothing, shoes, household goods. small
appliances, furniture, working electronics (no
TVs), Linens
Plastic bags
Mesa Recycles (Blue Barrel Program)
Food containers, plastics, glass, metal, paper
packaging, junk mail
(480) 644-2221
www.mesarecycles.com
Salt River Landfill Electronics
Gilbert Rd. & Beeline Hwy
M-Sat 6am-5pm
http://www.saltriverlandfill.com/recycling
Sunshine Acres
3405 N Higley Rd, Mesa
(480) 832-2540
Program accepts all electronic equipment
working or not, old or new. Items are accepted
free of charge if no other items are brought to
the landfill disposal during this visit.
Furniture, cars, household goods, building
supplies, golf carts, clothes, toys and
electronics.
Velda Rose United Methodist Church
Appliance and Metal pickup:
(480) 219-2669
Appliance and/or metal pickup
Household items, clothing, shoes, furniture,
pictures, office supplies, linens, working
electronics (no TVs)
VO Handymen (Contact Russ Morfeld
(480) 830-5846)
Odds and ends, tools, patio furniture, small
appliances, etc.
VO Tennis Auction (Contact Leo Chabot
(480) 832-9587)
Household items, small and large appliances,
furniture, tools, bicycles
2/6/2014