Battery recycling drive April 30

Elks volunteers will be on hand to assist with the drive-through recycling event. Many different types of batteries will be accepted, including cell phone; laptop computer; electric toothbrush; watch; power tool; alkaline such as AA, C, D; etc., but regular car batteries cannot be accepted.

This is the first year of the Project ReCharge Sustainability Club at Meneley. Teachers and club leaders Vivian Michalik and Christen Vice attended a Project ReCharge workshop through Reno-based non-profit Envirolution (envirolution.org) last summer, and they launched the club as a special student project this school year. They hope to build on the success of the club and expand its reach in the future.

Project ReCharge is a “hands-on, project-based, Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Mathematics curriculum and training program that engages students, teachers, and community professionals.” Part of last summer’s training included a presentation on sustainability by Mike Joyer of Redwood Materials (redwoodmaterials.com). Located in Carson City, Redwood Materials’ mission is “Invent sustainable materials to build the world.”

Michalik and Vice brought what they learned at the presentation back to the students, who decided to hold the battery drive as part of a public service announcement regarding sustainability and battery recycling.

Joyer, a Project ReCharge guest speaker, has since visited 4th grade students at CCMES to share the Redwood Materials mission and talk about renewable and non-renewable resources. His volunteer efforts at the battery drive will include transporting collected items back to the Redwood Materials recycling plant.

Michalik said lessons offered through Envirolution align with Next Generation Science Standards, and all materials required to implement them are free of charge to educators. Envirolution further supports teachers through stipends and the opportunity to earn professional development credits.

Meneley students will present their battery drive project in Reno on May 18, alongside other K-12 students in Nevada who are also participating in Project ReCharge.

Prescription Drug Round Up

Also on April 30, Partnership Douglas County and the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office host a drive-through Prescription Drug Round Up from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. at the DCSO, 1038 Buckeye Road in Minden.

Expired, unused, or unwanted prescription medications; over-the-counter pills and vitamins; prescription liquids; and pet medications can be brought to the event. Aerosol cans, inhalers, needles, and other liquids will not be accepted. Medications should be left in the original container with any identifying information marked out.

If you are unable to participate in the roundup, another option is to crush medicines and mix them with coffee grounds or kitty litter, then seal the bag before disposing. At-home drug disposal kits are available at the following locations:

Partnership Douglas County, 1625 SR 88, Suite 104 in Minden

Smith’s Pharmacy, 1341 HWY 395 N in Gardnerville

Safeway Pharmacy, 212 Elks Point Road in Zephyr Cove

Proper disposal of medicines helps keep communities safe and soil and water supplies clean. Unused medications should never be flushed down the toilet, as they have the potential to impact water sources and harm aquatic species. 

The Drug Enforcement Administration holds two drug take-back days per year in an effort to prevent medication misuse and provide a “safe, convenient, and responsible” way to dispose unused or expired medicines. More information is available at takebackday.dea.gov. 

Karaoke at the Elks lodge 

In remembrance of Elks member and secretary Tony Graef, the Tahoe-Douglas Elks host karaoke at the lodge on Saturday, April 16 from 6-9 p.m.

Graef recently passed away unexpectedly, and the Elks are hosting karaoke for the first time as a way to honor the memory of Graef and his fondness for karaoke.

This event is for those age 21 and above, and donations for admission will be accepted at the door.

Amy Roby can be reached at ranchosroundup@hotmail.com.