NEWPORT BEACH : A Center for Learning, Recycling

Kids Care for Planet Earth, a nonprofit recycling center for redeemable beverage containers, has opened its doors a block from the Balboa Ferry landing.

The state-certified center at 118 Agate Ave. refunds bottle deposits and accepts donations of properly labeled cans, glass and plastic containers. But the center will also serve as an environmental resource library and referral center for “kids from 2 to 92,” said founder Julie Dotson.

The center plans to sponsor educational programs in the community and local schools if there is sufficient state, federal and corporate funding.

Dotson, 33, said that until now, Newport Beach residents who wanted to redeem cans for cash either had to drive out of town, count out each container at grocery stores or feed so-called reverse-vending machines.

“Here, we just weigh them and give you the money,” she said. “And we provide education at the same time.”

So far, about 20 people have stopped by to redeem or donate containers. More than half were children.

“This is all really for kids,” Dotson said. “Basically, we want it to be simple and convenient for children to learn about the environment. They can come in, do their part in recycling, cash in cans and pick up free literature. The idea is to promote awareness and participation for the whole community.”

Dotson said it is difficult, especially for children, to get environmental information at a centrally located place. And with school budget cuts and restrictions, schools are not always able to provide adequate education on environmental issues, she said.

“We intend to network with other agencies and gear down their adult-oriented information so that children can relate,” Dotson said. “And since we’re a not-for-profit agency, we are eligible for funding that is not available to school districts and cities. We plan to supplement city and school district efforts to educate in these areas.”

To help with costs of building the resource library, the center also sells environmentally safe products, such as detergent, as well as new and used children’s clothing.

It all started two years ago when Dotson’s daughter Tonya, then 9, wanted to redeem a grocery bag full of cans.

“She came in wanting to save the planet and wanting me to drive her to Costa Mesa to cash them in,” Dotson said. “But there was no way I could justify driving to Costa Mesa for her 82 cents when it cost that much to get there in gas. Plus, I got frustrated about my daughter and other children not getting the full opportunity to learn about the environment.”

Dotson said she then spent two years on a “lonely and grueling trail of paperwork” to open a facility as a not-for-profit, state-certified recycling center. Last fall, she found someone to donate space and purchased discounted fixtures from a local merchant who was going out of business.

“I’m not an environmental scientist with a Ph.D,” said Dotson, “but one of our consultants is. I’m just a mom who saw something that had to get done. At first, it was tough, but now I’m getting a lot of community support.”

Now that the doors are open, Dotson’s goal is to turn the facility into a one-stop resource center for the community to learn about environmental issues.

“I want my daughter’s little friends to call and ask, ‘What does it mean when there’s a smog alert?’ ” Dotson said. “I want adults to call in and get answers about asbestos, or what to do when the neighbor dumps a can of oil on the street.

“I want the phone ringing off the hook.”

The center is open from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. on Saturday. For more information, call (714) 675-4327.