Here in Alameda I think we are getting better at sorting between the blue, green and gray bins, and we are becoming more mindful of what we put in the gray garbage bin or down the drain. More Alamedans are trying to avoid introducing toxins into the environment, filling up landfills and wasting natural resources. In the process however, is your home accumulating a bunch of stuff because you aren't quite sure what to do with it (all that stuff that you know shouldn't go in any of the three bins)? Do you have stashes of used batteries, burnt out fluorescent light bulbs, old computer equipment, leftover paint or used motor oil? Hopefully this table will help you clear out the excess clutter in your home in an environmentally safe fashion, possibly while doing a good deed or two for charitable organizations in town. Regain space in your home in an environmentally friendly manner.

Unwanted items and where to take them

* Household batteries (like AAA, AA, C, D, 9 volt; not car batteries): Alameda Free Library (main branch), Pagano's Hardware, Encinal Hardware, ACI's local office (2307 Blanding Ave., Suite B; 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday.)

* Fluorescent tubes under 4 feet and compact fluorescent light bulbs: Pagano's Hardware, Encinal Hardware, ACI's local office.

* Latex paint: ACI's local office

* Used motor oil and oil filters (don't mix oil with other fluids): Put out next to your bins on your day of service for ACI pick up. Contact ACI for free jugs and oil filter bags, or use your own 1-gallon screw top container securely closed. Limit of 2 jugs per pickup.

* Clean Styrofoam packing peanuts: Become an Alameda Freecycler and give them away (groups.yahoo.com/group /AlamedaFreecycle) Call shipping stores like UPS and Mail Boxes Etc. to see if they'll take it. (Don't leave out in front of store.)

* Leftover office supplies, art and craft supplies, musical equipment: AEF's Free Teacher Supply Store (Call 748-4008, Ext. 105 or see )

* Used electronics (i.e. computers, phones, TVs, VCRs, etc. - not household appliances like refrigerators, air conditioners, washer/dryers, etc.): Free Electronic Waste Recycling Event, Sat. Sept. 27, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 51 West Trident. or bring to Universal Waste Management, Inc. at 721 37th Ave. Oakland (www.unwaste.com)

* New or used good, working condition items you no longer want or need — Freecycle (see above), Alameda Goodwill Store (2319 Lincoln Ave., 337-2742), or sell/give away online at www.craigslist.org or www.ebay.com

* Paint, stain, varnish, thinner and adhesives; auto products such as old fuel, motor oil, oil filters and batteries; household batteries, fluorescent bulbs, cleaners and sprays; garden products, including pesticides and fertilizers; home generated sharps (for which types of sharps and proper containers see http://stopwaste.org/home /index.asp?page=624): Alameda County Hazardous Waste Facility, 2100 East 7th St. (close to Park Street Bridge). Starting Oct. 2 the Oakland facility will be open every Thursday, Friday and Saturday, except the weeks of Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years. Not for all hazardous materials, though, so check Web site first for those details, hours of operation and directions. http://stopwaste.org.

* Cell Phones: Lincoln Middle School (Fundraiser for student trips abroad) and other local schools.

* Used printer cartridges: Office Max (for store credit) or check with local school (fund raisers).

* Canned and other non-perishable foods in unopened containers (All those items you realize you're not going to eat after all, taking up space in your cupboards: Alameda Food Bank (1900 Thau Way) visit Web site for hours and other drop-off locations (www.alamedafoodbank.org/index .html)

* Bikes in working condition: Donate to Cycles of Change APC Community Bike Shop (www.apcollaborative.org/cycles.htm).

* Plastic grocery bags: Bring them back to the store (can't put these in blue bin). Better yet, pick up re-useable cloth bags instead of using paper or plastic.

* Wire hangers in excellent condition: Ask if your dry cleaners would like them for re-use, or Freecycle them.

* Something else not listed here: Check out the residents' portion of StopWaste.org's Web site, for a complete recycling guide including Recycling A-Z and a very helpful Recycling Wizard (http://stopwaste.org/home/index.asp?page=297)

Joyce Mercado is an environmentally minded Alameda resident. Write to her at