CONCORD – Spring cleaners are in luck with a major recycling event in the works for Saturday in Cabarrus County. Those who have unusual items that are not collected in most curbside recycling programs will be able to bring them to the Church of God Children’s Home, 3485 Orphanage Circle, Concord, from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m.
Various items will be collected, including:
• Tennis balls
• Papers to be shredded
• Photo film
• Disposable cameras
• Ink and toner cartridges
• Cellphones
• Batteries, any size or type, from hearing aids to cars.
• Compact fluorescent light bulbs.
• Electronics — these items are banned from N.C. landfills this year. Powerhouse Recycling will collect cathode ray tube TVs and monitors for a $3 to $10 fee.
The recycling is part of the second annual Viva Verde Earth Fest, hosted by the cities of Concord and Kannapolis and Cabarrus County. The free event will take place from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. at North Cabarrus Park, 760 Orphanage Road. Parking for the event is across from the park at the children’s home, where the recycling will be collected.
Visitors will have the option to participate in a free vehicle gas cap check and have leaking gas caps replaced free of charge. The parking area will also have a plant swap and book swap. Organizers invite all attendees to bring plants and books to swap. In addition, inside the park, Walmart will accept plastic shopping bags in exchange for reusable shopping bags.
A free shuttle will transport visitors from the parking area to the event inside North Cabarrus Park, the Herb and Plant Festival at the Piedmont Farmer’s Market and the Rider Transit Center.
The event area inside North Cabarrus Park will host a variety of activities. Highlights include live music; educational, business and government vendor booths; children’s activities such as games, crafts, story time from the Great Wolf Lodge and kids yoga; arts and crafts from The Scrap Exchange; disc golf; geocaching; greenway nature walks; and the photo and recycled art contest winners.
Visit the City Hall Blog for more information about Viva Verde Earth Fest.