Mercer County Park Commission Collecting Tough To Recycle Items

Throughout November, the Mercer County Park Commission is collecting tough-to-recycle items that would normally end up in a landfill at the Tulpehaking Nature Center, county officials announced. The effort is being done in partnership with the Mercer County Special Services School District, Soles4Souls and Trex.

Residents can drop off snack food bags, candy wrappers and other items in recycling bins when the nature center is open. Hours are Fridays and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Sundays from noon to 4 p.m. Participation in the recycling drive is free and open to the public.

The nature center is collecting the following items:

• Snack food bags and plastic bags from candy, chips, pretzels, cookies and energy bars. Plastic cereal bags, cracker sleeves, pet food or pet treat bags and any inner bags found inside cardboard boxes. Please do not include paper-fused packaging.
• All FOIL-lined energy bar wrappers such as Clif bars, etc.
• New or gently worn shoes with soles intact. No shoes that are wet and moldy damaged beyond repair, cleats, roller blades or ice skates.

Visitors to the nature center can also participate in the NexTrex Challenge, which will take place from November to May. In this challenge, the nature center aims to collect 500 pounds of plastic and film bags (about 40,500 bags). Help achieve this goal by bringing in the following items:

• #2 grocery bags, bread bags, dry-cleaning bags, ice bags, produce bags, salt bags, wood pellet bags, zip-lock and other re-closable food storage bags.

• Bubble wrap, newspaper sleeves, plastic shipping envelopes, case overwrap, pallet wrap and stretch film.

During open hours, the nature center will host simple, hands-on projects for turning old items into new treasures with reclaimed material. The Tulpehaking Nature Center is located at 157 Westcott Avenue in Hamilton. For more information about the nature center, programs and schedule of events, visit www.mercercountyparks.org.