Tri-State Area Resources - Programs, Events and Destinations

Clean energy options

Want to support clean energy use? New Jersey residents who use the two main energy providers, PSE&G and Jersey Central Power and Light, can now specify that more of their energy be obtained from renewable sources. Anyone who chooses this option can expect to see a monthly increase of about $12 per month. So why do it? Because clean energy safeguards our health through reduced pollution and no risk of environmental disasters, preserves areas of the earth that would otherwise be damaged by drilling or mining, and will become more competitive in price if customers encourage power companies to invest in the necessary research and infrastructure. Go to www.njcleanpower.com/ for details.

Places to visit

The Essex County Environmental Center - Located along the Passaic River in Roseland, this center opened in April 2005. There is a shaded walking trail, a museum and a library. For more information and a schedule of events, go to www.njaudubon.org/Centers/Essex/Index.html.
At the Meadowlands Environmental Center (www.njmeadowlands.gov/ec/index.cfm), visitors can enjoy a museum, walking trails, classes, tours and special events.
"Wildman" Steve Brill gives ecology and wild food tours that are entertaining for the entire family. To find or schedule a tour in your area, go to www.wildmanstevebrill.com or call (914) 835-2153.

Thrift shops, consignment shops, and purchasers of used equipment:

The Nutley Family Service Bureau Thrift Shop, 172 Chestnut Street, Nutley, NJ, (973) 667-7236; open M-Th 10-4, T 6-8, F 12-4, and first and third Saturdays 11-3; a well-organized shop offering wearable clothing, shoes, books, housewares, toys, jewelry, etc.
Milk Money children's consignment store, 76 Church Street, Montclair, NJ, (973) 744-0504; open T-Sat 10-5; high-quality children's clothing (especially brands like Gap, Gymboree, Lands' End, Hanna Anderson, Stride Rite, etc.) from birth to age 10, equipment, toys, books, videos; also maternity clothes; accepts only items in excellent condition. Has a nice play area for kids.
Other Mothers store, 461 Irvington Avenue, South Orange, NJ, (973) 762-4343; open M-Sat 10-5:30. These franchises accept used and new high-quality children's clothing (up to size 16), maternity clothing, baby items, baby furniture and toys; they pay cash or 15% more in store credit.
Pipsqueaks children's consignment store, 292 Bloomfield Avenue, Verona, NJ, (973) 571-0010; open W-Sat; new, used and handmade clothing (up to size 6, designer brands preferred), toys, books and equipment; everything in excellent condition.
St. Luke's Second Time Around thrift shop, 73 S. Fullerton Avenue, Montclair, NJ, (973) 744-2517; open W and Th 10-3, Sat 10-12:30; clothing in good condition, small household items, children's books.
Center for Hospice Care Thrift Shop (associated with St. Barnabas Hospital), 51 N. Fullerton Avenue, Montclair, NJ, (973) 509-2060; open T-Sat, 11-5; takes seasonal women's clothing, shoes, jewelry and purses in good condition; nothing stained or out-of-date.
Willing Hearts, 487 Bloomfield Avenue, Caldwell, NJ, (973) 226-7488; open T-Sat 10-5, Th until 8; carries seasonal and saleable women's clothing.
Teenage Wasteland, 410 Ridgewood Road, Maplewood, NJ, (973) 762-1700; hip, secondhand teen wear, much of it designer.
The National Council of Jewish Women, West Orange, NJ, (973) 673-6259. This organization assists women, children and families of all denominations. Will pick up furniture and other items to sell in their thrift shop.
The Cedar Grove Mothers Market, held once a year on a Saturday at the Cedar Grove High School, is a great place to sell/buy used children's clothing, equipment and toys. To find out the next market date or details about renting a table, contact Brigid Bauer (973-857-8240) of the Cedar Grove Junior Womens Club.
Salvation Army, 65 Pennington Street and McCarter Highway, Newark, NJ, (973) 589-8904; M-Sat, 8:30-7; huge collection, parking lot on premises.
If you have vinyl records to give away or sell, contact Joe at (973) 403-8567 or joescott1@comcast.net.
Dress for Success (www.dressforsuccess.org/) accepts donations of "like new" corporate clothing. They use the clothing in a program that assists economically disadvantaged women to obtain better jobs.

Recycling centers

You should never put electronics equipment or other hazardous waste in the garbage - it is illegal to do so because of the high toxicity of these items. You can dispose of them at recycling events or private recycling companies.

Essex County Recycling Days: The county collects the following twice a year (May and October):
- Hazardous Waste - batteries, lead-based paint, chemicals, fire extinguishers, propane tanks, fluorescent light bulbs, etc.
- Electronics - computers, radios, microwaves, VCR's, toasters, irons, printers, televisions, etc.
- Tires
For information about upcoming recycling events, visit the county website at www.co.essex.nj.us, or call the Essex County Utility Authority at (973) 857-2350.
Advanced Recovery, Inc., 223 Verona Avenue, Newark, NJ, (866) 794.8050; open M-F 8-5, Sat 8-3; accepts drop-offs from individuals of electronics equipment (televisions, CPUs, radios, microwaves, etc.). There is no disposal charge other than for computer monitors and televisions. Go to www.ariind.com/index2.shtml for more information.
Go to the page on reducing waste at home for more ways to dispose of electronics and other items.

Recycling Other Items

Books:
Call local libraries for the dates of any upcoming book sales.
The Montclair Book Center (221 Glenridge Avenue, Montclair, NJ, (973) 783-3630, M-Sat, 10-8, Sun 12-6) buys books they think they can resell. Browse their selection at www.montclairbookcenter.com.
College Women's Club of Montclair, 26 Park Street, Montclair, NJ, (973) 783-7040, has a book sale at the end of March and accepts books on Wednesdays from 9:30-noon; proceeds are used for undergraduate scholarships for women.
Food:
Call your local Red Cross chapter for a list of items that are needed.
Human Needs Food Pantry, 9 Label Street, Montclair, NJ, (973) 746-4669, drop-off T and Th, 9-12; distributes unopened food items to those in need of them.

Local environmental organizations

Have local environmental concerns? The following are branches of state or national environmental organizations that are dedicated to protecting national resources and reducing pollution.

New Jersey Enviromental Federation (www.cleanwateraction.org/njef/) . Their nearest office is located at 559 Bloomfield Ave., Montclair, NJ 07042, (973) 744-3005, (973) 744-3069.
The Sierra Club (www.sierraclub.org). They have chapters across the country, including one in Essex County: www.newjersey.sierraclub.org/essex.asp.
Cornucopia Network of New Jersey, P.O. Box 1368, Montclair, NJ, 07042, (973) 233-1028, a local group that promotes earth-friendly living.
www.njpirg.org - The Trenton-based New Jersey Public Interest Research Group.