It’s spring-cleaning time, which typically means we start seeing televisions, computer parts and other electronics on the curb throughout our neighborhoods. Here in Rhode Island, many of us participate in our local recycling day, where e-waste is accepted, which happens twice per year. However, with busy schedules, it is sometimes hard to make it on a specific day, and I am sure I am not the only one who wishes it happened more frequently.

I started doing some research as to where else I could recycle e-waste in my state and came across Indie Cycle, a company that provides free collections for residents, organizations and municipalities in Rhode Island and nearby Massachusetts. All of the e-waste that Indie Cycle collects is sent to a certified recycling company, ensuring that it does not end up in landfills. But, what was really intriguing to me is that, through Indie Cycle, I can organize my own recycling event. Let’s face it, we all have friends that are still not recycling their electronics properly, and this is the perfect solution to not only get them to participate, but to also educate them. Setting an Indie Cycle event up is easy. All it takes is two to three weeks’ notice and a parking lot. Indie Cycle supplies flyers, signage and its own vehicles and workers. The organization even posts its events in local newspapers. With a bit of publicity on your own and reaching out to your contacts, you can have your own successful recycling event while also feeling good about providing a service to those that might not typically participate. In addition to the most common electronic waste, such as computers, cell phones, and printers, Indie Cycle also accepts a wide range of items that can sometimes be difficult to recycle. This includes vacuum cleaners, small appliances, dehumidifiers, refrigerators and air conditioners. Basically, as they say, “anything with a cord!” Indie Cycle can also be found at many events happening around the state of Rhode Island. It is a female-owned, family business, and its mission is to “provide a multitude of convenient drop-off sites so everyone will have an opportunity to recycle unwanted electronics responsibly.” Indie Cycle hopes that in doing so it will help educate and encourage people to recycle more. The company’s goal is to collect 400,000 pounds of e-waste annually. If you are in the Rhode Island or Massachusetts area and want to get your own event started, check out Indie Cycle’s “Green Up” page, which will help you get started.