Q We used to recycle, but now that we've moved to assisted living, we can't. There is no recycling program here. We were told that nursing homes, hospitals and care facilities don't have to recycle. Is this true? The amount of plastic, paper and other materials that goes out of here that could be recycled is phenomenal.
A Your facility, as a business in Minnesota, is not required to recycle, said Ellen Telander, director of the Recycling Association of Minnesota.
"It is, however, very much in their favor if they do recycle," she said. "They would experience quite a savings in waste costs."
Recycling services are not taxed in Minnesota; trash is. Businesses pay a 17 percent state fee for trash as well as any additional county fee.
Because recycling can really reduce trash amounts, savings can be significant. Besides saving money, facilities that recycle help the state economy as well as the environment. Recycling provides nearly 18,000 jobs in Minnesota, Telander said, and saves resources for another day.
Unwanted tapes Q I have set of the TV series "World War II" on tape. Where can I donate these? I also have tapes of Twins World Series games.
A You shouldn't have too much trouble unloading these items. Contact your local school or public library. You can give away items online at www.twincitiesfreemarket.org, a website for those looking to give away or to find free items.
A simple newspaper ad or note at a community bulletin board also could solve your problem.
