Holidays 2012: Recycle Lights, Phones and Coats

Are you buying a new winter jacket? Do you have holiday lights that no longer work? Did your kids get duplicate toys this year? Did Santa bring you a new cell phone?

If you have items you’d like to toss but aren’t sure what to do with them, a number of collections are taking place in Rohnert Park or Cotati and items can be dropped off right at Goodwill at 6591 Commerce Blvd., or 100 Raleys Towne Center.

If you have coats you no longer need, donations are being collected through Big O Tires, through Jan. 12, 5979 Commerce Blvd. No. 1; Burlington Coat Factory, through Jan. 21, 311, Rohnert Park Expressway West; and The UPS Store, through Dec. 31, 6366 Commerce Blvd.  586-1180 and 979 Golf Course Dr.

Cell phones piling up because you have the newest and best that technology has to offer? Drop off used cells at Radio Shack located at 30 Raleys Towne Ctr
Rohnert Park.

Have old holiday lights that no longer work? Maybe you switched colors or swapped old lights for LED ones? Whatever the reason, if you have lights that you're not hanging this year, they can be recycled. Global Materials Recovery Services, 3899 Santa Rosa Avenue, Santa Rosa, recycles the string lights. 

Is your organization collecting donations this holiday season? Let us know. Leave a note in comments or e-mail Carlos Villatoro at carlos.villatoro@patch.com.