There is more going on than transferring trash at the County North Area Recovery Station (NARS) on Roseville Road. For Sacramento County Sheriff’s Toy Project, unused bikes are being separated out of trash piles and collected weekly to be refurbished and distributed to families and children in need.
Upon seeing the nearly 40 bikes a week that used to end up crushed for scrap metal recycling at the North Area Recovery Station, Operations Manager Alan MacIsaac decided something had to change. He created the NARS Re-cycle Project to refurbish the bikes instead of trashing them. The bikes are collected and restored by the Sacramento County Sheriff’s Toy Project, which serves Sacramento families and children while creating a positive connection with law enforcement.
“Reusing is the best form of recycling and keeping the bikes out of the landfills is the best form of reuse. Helping families who cannot afford bikes for their kids is a win-win opportunity for all of us,” said MacIsaac.
Children’s bikes are most common, but the NARS Re-cycle Project accepts all non-motorized bicycles, tricycles and wheelchairs, in all conditions. Toy Project volunteers refurbish and bring them back to useable condition. If a bicycle can’t be brought back into useable condition the parts are used to make a bike – no part goes to waste.
If you are interested in donating bikes, bring them to the Toy Barrel at the North Area Recovery Station, 4450 Roseville Road, North Highlands, CA 95660.
Learn more about the Sheriff's Toy Project from the website or make contact via email/phone: info@toyproject.org, 916-361-4571.
