Serving Eastern Pennsylvania, Central and Southern New Jersey, and Delaware
Serving Eastern Pennsylvania, Central and Southern New Jersey, and Delaware
Celebrate life’s blessings.
Opening presents sure can be fun — but dealing with the hassle of wrapping paper, tissue wrap, ribbons, and recycling trash can sometimes be the bummer at the end of the party. That task sometimes falls to me…even on my own birthday. As I turn one year older this month, I treated my family to the gift of captured moments with a professional family photo sitting. We got all of the shots we wanted PLUS which I’m sharing at the end of this post.
What kinds of gifts can YOU give this year that don’t involve packaging or plastic — and don’t take up room on shelves? Theater events, spa treatments, and special meals out are just a few ways to celebrate the good times in life with the people you love. Keep this in mind while you shop for the holidays. Ask nieces and grandparents what events (sporting or cultural) they’d like to attend in lieu of cappuccino makers and electronic gadgets. Cousins could organize a bowling party instead of racking their brains for what “Suzy” wants this year for Christmas.
Now is the time to get your family on board with the idea of green gifts — like time spent together — rather than purchased goods. If the idea of intangible gifts is too big a leap (this year) then at least make sure to share your want-list. Don’t be shy telling people (friends, family, co-workers) what you’d really like. In this economy, no one wants to throw good money after bad. Happy Holidays.
Recycling… wouldn’t it be lovely if all the cities, counties, boroughs and towns were all on the same recycling page? Then we would know what, when and where to recycle. Instead most of us walk around in a recycle fog looking for locations, dates and times to finally unload those outdated computers and piles of shredding. In an effort to make your recycling search a bit easier we have compiled a list of events and programs available in southeastern Pennsylvania and surrounding areas.
Collection Events
2013 Southeastern Pennsylvania Household Hazardous Waste and Old Electronics Collection Program
ELECTRONICS ONLY Collection Event
Saturday, September 28, 2013
Lower Bucks Area, Lower Makefield Township
Lower Makefield Corporate Center
770 Township Line Road
Hazardous Waste and E-Waste Recycling Event October 19
Delaware County will host a Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) Recycling Event from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. on Saturday, October 19, 2013 at the Upper Chichester Township Municipal Building at 8500 Furey Road, Upper Chichester, PA 19061.
Delaware County has expanded what can be accepted at this Household Hazardous Waste Collection Events to include most small E-Waste. Simply stated, if it has a cord, does not contain Freon (air conditioners, dehumidifiers, small refrigerators), and is not considered a large appliance, they will accept it. Visit http://www.co.delaware.pa.us/recycle/hhw.html for more information.
Delaware County 2013 E-Waste Recycling Events
Saturday, October 19, 2013
8500 Furey Road
Upper Chichester, PA 19061
Upper Chichester Township Municipal Building
2013 Montgomery County Household Hazardous Waste Collection Program
Lower Merion Transfer Station
Sunday, October 20, 2013
1300 N. Woodbine Ave.
Penn Valley, PA 19072
http://www.montcopa.org/DocumentCenter/View/4551
2013 Montgomery County Electronics Collection Program
Upper Merion Middle School – Electronics
Saturday, October 12, 2013
Enter near 435 Crossfield Rd.
King of Prussia, PA 19406
http://www.montcopa.org/DocumentCenter/View/4550
Compact Fluorescent Light Bulbs (CFLs)
Compact Fluorescent Lightbulbs or CFL’s are a great way to reduce your electricity bill while lessening your carbon footprint. However, these types of bulbs contain a small amount of mercury and should be handled carefully and disposed of properly at all times.
Intact CFL bulbs can be taken to any Home Depot, Lowes, or Ikea stores for free proper disposal and recycling. CFL bulbs can also be taken to any county-sponsored household hazardous waste event for free disposal and recycling.
Please DO NOT throw them in the trash. Nationwide, over 670 million mercury-containing bulbs are discarded improperly each year. In Montgomery County most of these bulbs are ultimately land filled or incinerated. These disposal methods can lead to a release of mercury into the environment through breakage and leakage and ultimately contaminate the food chain.
TV, Computer & Electronics Recycling
Computers and many electronics contain heavy metals and other materials that should be recycled if possible. Below are a few options for proper computer and electronics recycling.
Permanent Electronics Collection Programs
Berks County Recycling Center
1316 Hilltop Road, Leesport, PA
Limited hours of operation, call 610-478-6362 for details.
Links: Berks County
Chester County Solid Waste Authority accepts computers and peripherals at the Lanchester Landfill
7224 28th Division Hwy., Narvon, PA.
Telephone: 610-273-3771
South East Chester County Refuse Authority
219 Street Road
West Grove, PA 19390
Dawn Robinson (610-869-2452 ext 11)
West Chester Borough
205 Lacey Street
West Chester, PA 19382
Meghan Fogarty 610-696-5282
Delaware County Marple Township offers free electronic recycling to residents at:
Marple Township
446 Marpit Rd.
Broomall, PA 19008
Joe Romano 610-356-4040 for information.
Springfield Township offers free electronic recycling to residents at:
Springfield Delco Public Works
1258 Church Rd.
Springfield, PA 19064
Contact Jeff Bickel at 610-543-2837 for information.
Police Court Yard 24/7 or
Public Works Facility 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Lancaster County Solid Waste Management Authority (www.lcswma.org) Household Hazardous Waste Facility
Lancaster, accepts computers (including peripheral equipment), televisions and cell phones free of charge from Lancaster County residents.
1299 Harrisburg Pike,
Facility hours are Monday – Friday from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Saturday from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Links:Lancaster County
Lehigh County residents can recycle electronics at AERC Recycling Solutions at
1801 Union Blvd. or 2591 Mitchell Ave, Allentown, PA
Fridays between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m.
List of prices (pdf) and AERC Electronic Recycling Information
Contact information: 610-797-7608 or visit www.aercrecycling.com.
Links: Lehigh County
Montgomery County – Cheltenham Township – Residents can recycle electronics at:
Cheltenham Township Public Works Facility
8101 Old York Rd.
Elkins Park, PA 19027
William Ferrari 215-635-4600
Mon. to Fri. 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Sat. 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
East Greenville Recycling Center
620 W. Side Alley.
Pennsburg, PA 18073
215-679-5194
Mon. to Fri. 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Sat. 8 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Lower Merion Township Township – Residents can recycle electronics at:
Robert J. Koegel Public Works Complex
1300 N. Woodbine Ave.
Penn Valley, PA 19072
Joseph Przybyszewski 610-667-1952
Mon. to Fri. 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Sat. 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Northampton Borough – Residents Only
King Street Recycling Center
King Street
Northampton, PA 18067
Hours: Wed. 2:00 to 5:00 p.m.
Sat. 8:00 p.m. to Noon
Contact: Gene Zarayko (610) 262-2576
Philadelphia County – Computers, TV’s and cell phones are accepted at all HHW Events. Citizens may bring their computers and TV’s to any Sanitation Convenience Center
Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Links:Philadelphia County
Wayne County residents may drop off electronics at the Wayne County Recycling Center
66 Volunteer Dr., Honesdale, Pa.
Hours are Monday – Friday from 7:00 am to 4:30 pm or Saturday from 7:00 a.m. to1:00 p.m.
Questions can be directed to the Wayne County Recycling Center at 570-253-9727 or E-Mail: .
Links:Wayne County
Delaware County Municipal Curbside and Drop Off Programs
http://www.co.delaware.pa.us/recycle/pdf/townhsipcurb.pdf
Delaware County 2013 E-Waste Recycling Events
Saturday, October 19, 2013
8500 Furey Road
Upper Chichester, PA 19061
Upper Chichester Township Municipal Building
Shredding Events
City of Bethlehem – FREE SHREDDING SERVICE
Shredding of confidential documents is available FREE to businesses and private individuals at the Theis/Cornfeld Recycling Center. If you have 4 or more boxes, please call (610) 865-7082 to schedule an appointment.
Hours of Shredding – Monday-Saturday – 9:00a – 3:00p
We cannot shred the following:
Northampton Township has scheduled two e-waste recycling events for April 20 and Sept. 28
Northampton Township has partnered with Leck Waste Services to schedule two e-waste recycling events so residents have a place to properly dispose of computers and other electronics safely.
The first e-waste recycling event will be held April 20 from 8 a.m. to noon and the second will be held Sept. 28 , also from 8 a.m. to noon. Both events will be held at Leck, 237 Jacksonville Road, Ivyland.
According to township officials, a new state law prohibits the township’s trash hauler from taking electronics. The law, the Covered Device Recycling Act 108, prohibits computers, keyboards, televisions, printers, microwave ovens, fax machines and other electronics from disposal at Department of Environmental Protection solid waste landfills.
Acceptable e-waste recycling items include:
Monthly Community Shredding Services
Titan Mobile Shredding Service
Cost at all locations is $10 for each standard file box, copy paper box or the equivalent.
One box minimum quantity – No maximum box quality
Cash or checks only please, no credit cards are accepted at Community Shredding
No reservations required, just stop by!
First Friday of Every Month
Bailiwick Office Park
252 West Swamp Rd (Rt 313 & Rt 611 Bypass)
Doylestown, PA 18901
Time: 8:30am – 9:30am
Second Tuesday of Every Month
Upper Moreland Township Library
117 Park Ave (off Rt 611 in the Police Dept parking lot)
Willow Grove, PA 19090
Time: 8:30am – 9:30am
Third Thursday of Every Month
Shady Brook Farm
931 Stony Hill Rd
Yardley, PA 19067
Time: 12noon – 1:00am
http://www.titanshredding.com/Community-Shredding-Services.aspx
http://www.titanshredding.com/Community-Shredding-Services.aspx#calendar
Saturday, September 28, 2013
Larry Farmbry & Associates
7300 City Line Ave.
Philadelphia, PA 19151
11:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m.
215-877-4950
http://larryfarmbry.com/new/larryfarmbry/
http://www.proshred.com/all-events
Representative Rozzi
4933 Kutztown Road
Temple, PA 19560
11:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m.
610-921-8921
http://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/legis/home/member_information/house_bio.cfm?id=1647
http://www.proshred.com/all-events
Bucks First Credit Union & Bucks County Planning Commission
Lower Makefield Corporate Center
770 Township Line Road
Yardley, PA 19067
9:00 a.m.-12:00 noon
215.788.5270
http://www.bucksfirstfcu.com
Saturday, October 5, 2013
Friends of Easttown Public Library
720 First Ave
Berwyn, PA 19312
9:00 a.m.–12:00 noon
http://www.proshred.com/all-events
http://www.easttownlibrary.org/friends-of-the-library
$10 for one box or two shopping bags
First National Bank & Trust of Newtown
Bucks County Community College
275 Swamp Road
Newtown, PA 18940
9:00 a.m.-11:00 a.m.
http://www.fnbn.com
http://www.titanshredding.com/Community-Shredding-Services.aspx
Saturday, October 12, 2013
Whitemarsh Township
Miles Park – Lower Parking Lot, Germantown Pike
Plymouth Meeting, PA 19444
8:00 a.m.–12:00 noon
610-825-3535
http://www.whitemarshtwp.org/services/public-works/waste.aspx
Middletown Township (Residents only)
3 Municipal Way
Langhorne, PA 19047
9:00 a.m.-11:00 a.m.
http://www.middletowntwpbucks.org
http://www.titanshredding.com/Community-Shredding-Services.aspx
Upper Macungie Township
Public Works Garage
8550 Schantz Rd.
Breinigsville, PA 18031
9:00 a.m.-12:00 noon
610-395-4892
http://www.uppermac.org
http://www.titanshredding.com/Community-Shredding-Services.aspx
Saturday, October 19, 2013
Penn Liberty Bank Trooper
2724 Ridge Pike
9:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m.
610-535-4860
https://www.pennlibertybank.com/UserFiles/File/2013Shred_Event_flyer.pdf
Schuylkill Township
1580 Charlestown Road
Phoenixville, PA
610-933-5843
http://www.schuylkilltwp.com
http://www.proshred.com/all-events
Saturday, October 26, 2013
Montgomery County
Lower Merion High School
Montgomery Avenue
Ardmore, PA
9:00 a.m.-12:00 noon
http://www.montcopa.org/index.aspx?NID=1588
Representative Briggs
554 Shoemaker Road
King of Prussia, PA 19406
11:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m.
610-768-3135
http://www.pahouse.com/briggs/
http://www.proshred.com/philadelphia/events
Do you struggle trying to accomplish everything you want to get done in a week? Are you always asking yourself “where does the time go?” Are you always running late for appointments? Instead of trying to keep it all organized in your head, start a time management system for yourself by using a calendar (digital or paper, whatever your preference), a Day-Timer, or even an excel spreadsheet will work.
Remember school schedules? The week is scheduled by the day, classes with start and end times are filled in first and the remaining time is what you have left for the week. Start with your non-flexible commitments, such as; work, and then plan the other activities or tasks by the days and times available in the space you have left. Block out the amount of time each commitment, task, or activity will take and include travel time if necessary. This will visually put your time available to accomplish your tasks for the week “at a glance” and into perspective. This is imperative for getting a handle on your time management schedule. If there are overlapping commitments and a shortage of time available to get everything accomplished, you know it’s time to reorganize your week.
Keep in mind, you do need to sleep, so only schedule your time during your realistic waking hours. Each day follow your day’s schedule of events to know where you have to be and when. Then when emergencies crop up and they will, you will have a much better handle on where to reschedule the lessor priorities.
Don’t overbook yourself. Be realistic, allow for travel time and most importantly don’t forget to allow for “down-time”!
I was at Target the other day and parked right next to the area where you put your shopping cart after you load your car with your purchases. There was a woman parked right next to me, so she was 1 parking space away from the cart area. She loaded the back of her car with her purchases and then proceeded to push her cart between her car, my car, and the 2 cars in front of ours. It would have taken her the same amount of time to walk her cart to the area where the carts are stored as it did for her to walk her cart to the area in front of all 4 cars.
I did nothing, which didn’t feel right. When I asked friends what they would have done, I got a myriad of answers, such as take the high road and move the cart, she wasn’t thinking, would have done what you did, should have said something to her. But, it did get me thinking why shopping carts have homes in parking lots and how that relates to organizing.
We all know the obvious answers – they are preventing other cars from getting dinged and making it easier for the employees to bring all the carts back into the store. From a Professional Organizer’s point of view, I like to keep everything that is the same in one or two areas, whether it is in my home, my office, or my car. I only have to remember one or two places to look for what I need. When I don’t “assign a home” to an item, it gets lost, and I end up buying the same item over and over again. Besides wasting time looking for something and not being able to find it, I’ve now spent more money on something I already have.
It is the same for the shopping carts. It is more efficient for the employees to get the carts from their designated areas (think time management and productivity) and bring them back to the stores for others to use. It is also a money-saver for the store, since they won’t have to replace lost or missing carts.
This story illustrates why “assigning a home” is so important. Keeping like with like makes it easier to find things, makes you more productive, saves you money, and gives you the freedom to do those activities you enjoy doing vs. having to go out and waste time purchasing the same item again.
September is National Preparedness Month. While most people think of natural disasters, I think you’ll agree that losing your device would qualify as a disaster! You may not be able to prevent losing your device but you can protect your data. Did you know that your personal login information could easily be found in your computer?
See for yourself:
• Open your browser (I use Mozilla’s Firefox so adapt the instructions for other browsers),
• Click on Preferences, then Security.
— If Remember Passwords is checked, click on Saved Passwords next to it.
A list of Web sites you’ve visited along with your username appears.
• Click on Show Passwords and your complete login info is listed!
In Google’s Chrome:
• Click on Preferences, Settings, Show Advanced Settings, and Passwords and Forms.
— If Offer To Save Passwords is checked, click on Manage Passwords and there they are.
In Apple’s Safari it’s even easier!
• Click on Preferences, then Passwords.
— A list of the Web sites you’ve visited, along with your username, comes up.
• Click on Show Passwords on the bottom and your complete login appears. Microsoft’s Internet Explorer is better at security with some default settings that protect your data.
• In the Tools menu, see InPrivate Browsing and Internet Options settings.
Are you shocked to learn this? I sure was! But before you panic, I have some tips to help protect your data. (I use a Samsung Galaxy S3 smartphone and MacBook Pro computer so tweak as necessary.)
For your computer:
• Password-protect it at startup by disabling Automatic Login (System Preferences, Security and Privacy, General) Password-protect it when awakening from sleep and screensaver modes (System Preferences, Security and Privacy, General, and check Require Password For Sleep & Screen Saver).
• Back up your data to the cloud using iCloud (Mac or PC, iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch—and it also can find your missing device), Dropbox, Carbonite or Mozy.
For your smartphone:
• Enable Screen Lock secured with a PIN (Settings, Personal, Lock Screen) so your phone can be used only after entering your PIN.
• Enable Lock Automatically (same as above) to lock the screen after turning it off.
• Enable Lock Instantly With Power Key (same as above).
• Enable SIM Card Lock with a PIN (Settings, Personal, Security).
• Enable Owner Information (Settings, Personal, Lock Screen) to add your name and phone number (other than your cell number) so someone can call you if your device is found.
• Enable Location Services (Settings, Personal).
• Disable Make Passwords Visible so people nearby can’t see what you’re typing (Settings, Personal, Security).
• Enable or install Find My Mobile (Samsung) or Find My iPhone (Apple) to locate your missing device and, if necessary, remotely lock and/or erase it.
General:
For your browser, be sure Remember Passwords For Sites is unchecked (Preferences, Security) and delete any saved passwords.
• Use a cloud-based password manager such as 1Password, LastPass or SplashID rather than storing passwords in your device. You will need to remember just one login password. Password-protect individual documents with extra-sensitive data. Password-protect external drives too.
Decide what, if any, security changes are right for you. If you’re unsure, seek technical help. To use your devices, you will need to do a bit more manually but the tradeoff is increased security and peace of mind. I think that’s worth a little extra effort!
As I was driving the other day listening to NPR, I heard a provocative story suggesting that researchers should stop spending millions of dollars comparing the content of all the various diets programs on the market today. Instead, they should focus their studies on how to effectively change behaviors associated with weight gain. As a Professional Organizer, this piqued my interest.
Featured on the NPR program “Here And Now,” was Carey Goldberg, health reporter for WBUR in Boston, commenting on a recent paper published in the Journal of the American Medical Association. Analyzing different well-known diet programs, the report concluded that the various diet programs — on average — are equally well suited for losing weight. Therefore, one could pick and choose any one of the diet programs that looks appealing to them and get pretty much the same result.
If the report concludes that it doesn’t matter what diet program you choose for losing weight, then why are these programs ineffective for so many participants over time? Why is it so common that dieters gain back the weight they lost soon after they stop dieting? The key is “adherence” – sticking to healthier eating habits over time. Instead of continuing to spend millions looking at and worrying about the specific content of the diet programs on the market, this report suggests that we need to understand the context of the individual dieter, and therein lies the key to adherence. We need to shift the focus from simply counting calories and carbs, and look toward behavioral change and how to make those changes last – forever.
Behavioral scientists studying the effects of dieting over time look at factors such as why people crave different foods and how environmental factors, such as family traditions, affect their dietary preferences. They found that the one common factor that undermined the best of intentions around dieting and healthier eating habits is stress. The NPR story stated that, “researchers often hear dieters say that they want to lose weight, but life gets in the way.” The root problem is woven in the feelings experienced, when “life gets in the way” and that is a behavioral issue – not a nutritional one.
Just like the dieting industry, the organizing industry has zillions of products to choose from, and still people feel overwhelmed and stressed. For many, the products don’t deliver on their promises of freedom and ease over time. Before clients call us, many of them have been on a number of “organizing diets” and have not reached or maintained their organizing goals over time. Sleek new organizing products and best intentions are easily de-railed when “life gets in the way.”
As Professional Organizers, we know what makes the biggest difference to someone staying organized over time. It isn’t simply which storage bin we use but rather, that the person develops the habit to actually use the bin over time. All the different storage bins, calendar systems, time management tips, electronic gadgets, apps, etc., do not ensure that one will achieve a state of organization that lasts. They are only the tools we use to create an environment that supports an organized life-style. The actual change towards living an organized life comes from within the individual. Effective behavioral change resets our personal compass, and points us toward our goals and aspirations. “Adherence” to these behavioral changes, ensures us it will last forever!
So the point of this story is…If you want to lose weight, don’t stress about which diet program to choose. Choose the one that appeals to you since they all, on average, work about the same. If you want to keep the weight you lose off for years to come, work with a behavioral specialist to create your unique practices of adherence that promote healthier eating habits. And, if you want to decrease the stress of “life gets in the way,” create an environment that supports your new healthier habits over time — then call one of us. Professional Organizers love supporting behavioral changes that last forever.
http://commonhealth.wbur.org/about/carey-goldberg
