When you hear the word CleanScapes, you probably envision those big, bright green trucks. You know the ones that appear once a week to collect local garbage, recycling, and compost. The ones your kids hear and excitedly run to the window to catch a glimpse of.
But CleanScapes is much more than a fleet of trucks. In fact, there's a new CleanScapes retail space and customer service center in Gilman Village near Flat Iron Grill and Ravens Books. In addition to paying a bill or dropping off hard to recycle items, local families can find creative products and gifts to reduce waste, recycle, and reuse up-cycled material. As a mom, I can tell you that the product line is very family-friendly. There's everything from reusable bags and lunch containers to eco-friendly art and party supplies. I am currently trying to decide which of the darling hats - repurposed from t-shirts - I should purchase for myself. And I love the pieces of art created from bike chains.
Which reminds me, a unique feature to the store includes re-used bicycles rescued from the landfill thanks to a new bicycle recycling partnership between CleanScapes and the non-profit, Bike Works. CleanScapes collects and hauls. Bike Works sorts and refurbishes. Bike Works helps build sustainable and healthy communities through youth development, community engagement, bicycle recycling and a social enterprise bike shop. Donated bikes are tuned up for reuse or stripped for useful parts by volunteers. Unusable parts are sent to artists for a chance at a second life, and scrap metal is hauled by CleanScapes for recycling. Bicycles not purchased locally are donated though a bike aid program to villages in Africa.
Reduce and reuse by recycling your bikes. Consider buying a refurbished bike and save money.
The CleanScapes Store is open Monday - Saturday 10am to 6pm, and Sunday noon to 5pm.
