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Business & Tech

Recycle Your Bicycle ... And Your Coffee Pot, Too

Whole Foods Market in the Kentlands is hosting recycling swaps today in honor of Earth Month.

Celebrating Earth Month --- and cleaning out the garage --- could be as easy as making a trip to the grocery store.

Whole Foods Market in Kentlands will collect old bicycles and will be accepting used furniture and appliance donations at its store today, Saturday, April 16. Whole Foods marketing team leader Candace Child said the events were tied to Earth Month.

From 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., Bikes for the World will be accepting bicycles in repairable condition, as well as bicycle parts and accessories.  Missing parts are fine, excessive rust is not. 

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No tricycles, please. 

We will be collecting unwanted bicycles to be donated to nonprofits in developing countries,” said Nick Colombo, operations manager for Bikes for the World. “The bikes will make a profound difference in the lives of the recipients in these countries.”

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Whole Foods Market will cover the $10 cost to ship the bikes, which wind up in places such as Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean.  Refurbished bikes are sold inexpensively, with profits going back to nonprofits in these developing countries.

Colombo said the Kentlands event was one of eight bike collections happening in Washington, D.C., and Maryland today.

Also at Whole Foods on Saturday, Habitat for Humanity of Montgomery County will host a collection drive from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. The group seeks gently used furniture, household items, appliances and books to sell at its ReStore shop.

“If you come in the store, you’ll see anything from toilets to sofas to knick knacks and gifts and paintings,” said Adeela Abbasi, ReStore's marking and communications manager.  “We run the gamut of anything that basically belongs in your home.”

Profits from what is sold at ReStore go back to Habitat for Humanity of Montgomery County.  The goal, Abbasi said, is to contribute enough funds to build at least one home year, an estimated cost of $150,000.

“No matter how small the donation, it actually helps us get to that goal,” said Abbasi.

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