In Jackson, MI the bulk of our donations are practically unrepairable. We send a lot to the scrap yard after stripping useful parts. However, we don’t strip anything that we can’t use. The scrap yard is happy to take (and pay for) the full weight of the junked frames. We try to get the bulk of our donations through one-day events, which allows us to sort, strip and junk a large number of bikes all in one go. Many volunteer hands make light the work and we are able to keep all the stuff that will never become a bike again from ever entering our shop.
Also, we work with a local artist who builds custom bike racks out of recycled bike parts. We supply the raw materials for that project. I’m always looking for someone who might have a way to make a hammock out of used tubes or lawn furniture from frames.
Scott TenBrink
Executive Director
Fitness Council of Jackson
225 North Jackson St.
Jackson, MI 49201
(517) 990-9798
scott@fitnesscouncil.org
www.fitnesscouncil.org
From: thethinktank-bounces@bikecollectives.org [mailto:thethinktank-bounces@bikecollectives.org] On Behalf Of Carl Voss Sent: Sunday, January 18, 2009 6:21 PM To: The Think Tank Subject: [TheThinkTank] What to do about kids' bikes
Here in chilly Iowa, we're nine months into our first year of operating the Des Moines Bicycle Collective.
It seems that every time we turn around, we're tripping over another stack of heavy, Magna-quality kids' bikes (12 and 16" wheels; some 24"). Most are in such pathetic shape (neglect or abuse) that the scrap yard appears to be the only solution.
Our board can't seem to reach consensus on the best way to get our arms around this and still be the good guys that keep bikes out of the land fill.
I'm confident several of you will offer some first-hand solutions so we can be more productive.
*It seems a shame to waste volunteer time stripping the bikes of rubber so we can take them to the scrapyard. We got $10 for our last truckload of 20 bikes.
*It doesn't make sense to spend much effort tuning up a kids' bike for a $10 used sale when Walmart sells a new bike for $25-$30.
*Some of us are of the mind that any decent kids' bike should be given away through Boys and Girls Clubs or similar.
We currently aren't suggesting a donation to drop off any bike (youth or adult), although that may change soon if we can get a policy passed for a $10 suggested donation.
Carl
HYPERLINK "mailto:carlvoss@mac.com"carlvoss@mac.com
Mobile: 515-210-0237
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