Kip Tips
Join Curb Day for the Nation's Biggest Giveaway
By Cindy Schwalb, Web Editor, Kiplinger.com
February 26, 2009
Forget about the stimulus package, this giveaway won't spend a dime of your tax dollars.
Mike Morone of Rochester, New York is on a mission to end waste. (And in the process, help you de-clutter your home for the spring season.) This former teacher is hoping to take his message for conservation to a national level by designating May 16, 2009 as Curb Day, when everyone sets out their unwanted items of value so that others may benefit from them.
Where'd the inspiration come from? "I'm just an average person, former computer teacher of ten-plus years who hates waste of all kinds -- goods, excess packaging and natural resources -- for starters, though especially more intangible waste such as our high school dropout rate and all the kids who never realize their potential," says Morone.
He started his first recycling program in 1997 when he was hired to set up a school's new computer lab and the school district refused to let students bring home the older machines. "So I started asking companies for their surplus computers and refurbished them and gave them out to some of the kids. When I had given out 18, it felt really good, so I became obsessed. In all, I recycled over 2500 computers."
From that experience Morone saw how one person can make a big difference. So when another job exposed him to landfills and all the wasted items sitting among them, an idea started to percolate. "I could not believe all the stuff there that was tossed. Over the years, I kept thinking, 'Why don't we all put this stuff out at the same time and publicize the heck out of it?' "
So with the help of one former student, Viet Nguyen, who designs his Web site and advertisements, Morone has finally launched Curb Day this year.
Morone believes with enough promotion and a few smart rules (no alcohol, weapons, garbage or broken items -- to name a few), it will run smoothly.
For more information about Curb Day visit Mike Morone's site.
To find more eco-friendly ideas check out our Going Green Center.
As always, we invite you to share your ideas in Comment Box below.
Discuss