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Dozens of CA events this weekend honor Latino Conservation Week; Kamala Harris joins Oprah Winfrey in emotional campaign event; Report finds poor working conditions in Texas clean energy industry; AI puts on a lab coat, heads to technical schools.

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Rising threats of political violence, a Federal Reserve rate cut, crypto industry campaign contributions and reproductive rights are shaping today's political landscape.

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A USDA report shows a widening gap in rural versus urban health, a North Carolina county remains divided over a LGBTQ library display, and Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz' policies are spotlighted after his elevation to the Democratic presidential ticket.

You Don’t Have to Buy Everything for a Home Project

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Thursday, May 26, 2011   

DES MOINES, Iowa - What if you could get nearly everything you need for your home-improvement project for free?

The best-kept secret for home handymen is the Metro Waste Authority Swap Shop at the Regional Collection Center in Bondurant. Everything from paint and stain to oil and wax is available, says Metro Waste spokeswoman Amy Hock. It's surplus that's been been turned in for recycling.

"The great thing about our swap shop is it's free. Residents don't have to come out and drop something off to be able to go through the swap shop to take something home."

If you take something home and still don't use it all, Hock says, bring it back for someone else.

"Anybody can go out there, pick up any products that they are needing, go home and use the product. If there is something left over, they can bring it back to the regional collection center. If it's still usable, we'll sit it back in the swap shop and somebody else can benefit from it."

In 2010, she says, the Swap Shop gave away approximately 143,000 pounds of free products such as fertilizer, household cleaners and even pool chemicals.


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