It’s a brand new year and if you want to move into 2024 with intention, your resolutions might involve recycling, reducing and reusing.
You can jump start that commitment this week with the 19th Annual Grease Drive, which will take place at six locations throughout Pima County from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 6.
The event provides an excellent opportunity to conscientiously recycle the holiday grease from kitchens and deep fryers, according to Michael Kazz, President of Grecycle Arizona (https://www.grecycle.com/), a biofuel company that supplies biodiesel and provides biodiesel feedstock by removing and repurposing cooking grease from restaurants, schools and the military.
Biodiesel, a replacement for diesel, is the only EPA-designated Advanced Biofuel in commercial-scale production; production has reached 1.5 billions gallons annually nationwide, according to Kazz.
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“After people fry food, anything that is left over is waste. We can convert used cooking oil to clean-burning biodiesel, which saves our sewers and keeps it out of landfills. I think this is one of the most effective recycling ‘bangs-for-the-buck’ that you can have,” Kazz said.
The Grease Drive, which is presented in conjunction with Pima County Regional Waste Water Reclamation Department, has recycled almost 90,000 pounds of grease since inception.
“That is two tanker trucks full, so it is like filling two huge tankers with fuel. Using biodiesel reduces pollution approximately 80 percent compared to diesel fuel,” Kazz said.
To participate, Pima County residents can transport used grease (once it has cooled) in the container in which it was purchased. Sealed plastic containers also work for bacon grease and other grease if the original container isn’t an option.
Drop off locations include: O’Reilly Chevrolet, 6160 E. Broadway Blvd.; Pima Community College Desert Vista Campus, 5901 S. Calle Santa Cruz; Pima Community College Northwest, 7600 N Shannon Rd.; Kin Sports Complex, 2500 E. Ajo Way; Pima Community College West, 2202 W. Anklam Rd.; and the Sahuarita Town Hall Complex, 375 W. Sahuarita Way.
“Just put the grease in a non-leak container and bring it to a drop-off location. This is a short but efficient event,” Kazz said.
We Care Tucson provides another efficient opportunity to clean and declutter your house by donating used electronics and medical equipment and supplies at an Electronic Collection Drive from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Sunday, January 21 in the back parking lot of the Jewish Community Center, 3800 E. River Rd.
Integrated Axis Technology Group will also host an electronics collection event for We Care on Monday, Jan. 22 at 6147 E Grant Rd. Additionally, We Care accepts items on Recycle Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on the third Saturday of each month at their facility, 3029 N. Stone Ave. You can also make donations during business hours from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays; and from noon to 6 p.m. on Wednesdays.
“You name it; we can take it,” said MeMe Aguila, Executive Director of the nonprofit dedicated to removing barriers to information, education and wellness.
We Care accepts donations of laptops, computers, monitors, cell phones, keyboards and more. It wipes the data and recycles the equipment, diverting it from landfills, then sells the refurbished computers to the general public at discounted prices.
“We also have a low-cost computer referral program for the economically-challenged and for students and those who are trying to get back in the workforce,” Aguila said.
The public can also donate computer bags, tablets, fire sticks, VHS and DVD players, gaming systems and even electric typewriters.
“We also take televisions, as long as they are not CRTs (cathode ray tubes), even if they are not working and don’t have remotes,” Aguila said.
In addition to technology, We Care offers free medical supplies (diapers, incontinence supplies and more) to the community and serves as a loan chest for medical equipment—wheelchairs, walkers, shower chairs, canes and commodes.
“Our medical supplies and equipment are free and anyone can come in and get what they need. The idea is to remove barriers for those in financial need. There has been a huge uptick in the need and we can’t keep certain items — including adult incontinence supplies — on our shelves. That is our number one need right now,” Aguila said.
She emphasized that adult incontinence products are more expensive than infant diapers and unlike many organizations, We Care accepts items that have been opened.
“That is a big deal. If someone has a family member who has passed away or perhaps had visiting family members who haven’t used all of the supplies, we will take open packages. When people need these supplies, they don’t care if they have been opened,” Aguila said.
For more information about We Care Tucson collection events and volunteer opportunities — or to make an online cash donation — visit https://www.wecaretucson.org/.
We Care Tucson is also eligible for the Qualifying Charitable Organization (QCO) tax credit. The QCO tax credit limit for 2023 is $421 for individuals and $841 for married couples filing jointly in 2023; donations made prior to Monday, April 15 can be claimed on 2023 Arizona income tax returns.
