I recently discovered an old "Cathy" comic strip. The first panel with a title of "Then" had Cathy holding a garbage bag and she said "Throw out." The second panel was titled "Now" and Cathy had the following choices: "Throw out, recycle, refurbish, collect, trade, lend, give away, sell, sell in garage sale, sell in paper, sell on consignment, sell in online auction, sell on private web site." The last panel shows Cathy wailing, "Even trash has too many options!!!" I could not have said it better. Many of us have stockpiles of usable stuff. Businesses and local governments have items too valuable to go directly to the landfill.

At a recent countywide solid waste meeting, there was a plea from Dianne Koutz who is in charge of the Solano County Central Services Division. She has surplus office equipment that is listed for auction on www.publicsurplus.com. I checked it out and found 38 items. Here is a sample: small wood desk 50 inches by 34 inches for $5, oval conference table for $5, side chair with arms for $1, two matching legal file cabinets for $5. You can call Lisa Woods at the surplus warehouse at 707 421-6975 or ldwoods@solanocounty.com for current inventory. Schools and nonprofit organizations may be eligible for free items. Other members of the meeting gave out information about joining www.freecycle.org or listing items on www.craigslist.com.

VALCORE Recycling has a ReUse Barn that generally has salvaged three-ring binders, file folders, books, paper and items that are shared with teachers and the public for free. VALCORE lists current inventory on www.VALCORErecycling.org or by calling 707 645-8258.

The Devlin Road Transfer Station has an outdoor Recycling Yard that accepts and sells doors, landscape items, exercise equipment, furniture and building supplies. They are located just north of American Canyon at 889A Devlin Road (Daily 8:30-3:30). For current inventory call 707 258-9018.

FREE RECYCLED LATEX PAINT

Vacaville and Fairfield have free paint that they need to get rid of. The recycled latex paint comes in five gallon buckets and is available on a first come, first serve basis. Current paint colors are beige, grey and brown. In Vacaville, paint is available at the Vacaville Recycling Center located at 855½ Davis Street (Tuesday - Saturday 9am-3pm). For updates, call 707 448-2945.

In Fairfield, go to Solano Garbage Company's Recycling Center located at 2901 Industrial Court (Monday - Friday 8 am-4pm, Saturday 8 am-2pm) Call 707 439-2800 for more information. Recycled paint is also available for a $15 per 5-gallon buckets at the Devlin Road Transfer Station. Current colors are off white and light beige.

FREE E-WASTE RECYCLING EVENT

Mark your date books for Friday, August 11, and Saturday, August 12 (9am - 5pm) for a free E-waste Recycling event. The event will take place in the northeast parking lot at the Solano Mall in Fairfield. Computers and televisions along with laptops, computer towers, computer parts, and other electronic waste will be accepted. Microwaves will not be accepted. All California residents are welcome as well as schools and businesses.

Updates on all these events plus countywide recycling opportunities are listed on the Solano County Recycling Guide, www.recycle-guide.com.