Residents are urged to do their part in helping Danvers become "greener" with a chance to recycle certain goods this weekend that often get tossed in the trash.

Over the course of the two-day event (Saturday and Sunday from 9 a.m. - 1 p.m.), which celebrates America Recycles Day, residents can bring bagged clothing, shoes, purses, linens and small toys to the municipal parking lot across from Town Hall for pickup by the Big Brothers Big Sisters foundation. They can also leave books, DVDs, CDs, VHS tapes, cassette tapes, audio books and records for Got Books – no magazines or encyclopedias though.

JRM Hauling & Recycling does not collect these items on normal bi-weekly curbside pickup days, so this might be your easiest chance to dispose of the recyclables.

The Public Works Department is accepting filing cabinets, grills and other metal items during the event.

Big Brothers Big Sisters will also be collecting several types of used electronics. Televisions can be dropped of for $10-$15 each, white goods are $10 each, dehumidifiers, computer monitors and air-conditioners are $5 and computers are $3 each. Cell phones, laptops and other small electronic devices are free. Certificates of destruction are $5.

Half of the proceeds will be donated to the Danvers Community Council.

ProShred will also be on hand both days, offering document-shredding services. The first two boxes of confidential papers are free, but there is a $5 charge for additional boxes. Those proceeds will then be donated to the community council as well.

If you need still more options of material to donate, the local Scouts will be collecting redeemable bottles and cans as well and donating the coins to the community council.

For more information, contact town Recycling Coordinator Gail Bernard at 978-777-0001, ext 3014 or gbernard@mail.danvers-ma.org.

Town gets state grant for recycling

In related news, the town recently received a $1,500 grant from the Mass. Department of Environmental Protection to be used for recycling programs. The town is using the money for reimbursement on compost bins, recycling containers and recycling outreach and education materials.

Town Manager Wayne Marquis notes the town saves $70 per ton on recycling that would otherwise be spent on waste disposal. The recycling rate in town is at 25 percent, Marquis added – a respectable figure for a town the size of Danvers – but he'd like to see Danvers hit 50 percent eventually.

"Everybody's a winner [by recycling more]," he said.