By MICK HOLIEN
While Cathode Ray television tubes (CRTs) were not accepted this year, but that had little effect on the annual e-waste recycling at the Transfer Station last weekend.
More than 1,200 lbs of for-reuse or recyables material was brought to the Lake County facility during the six-hours the east side of the yard was a bevy of activity
8,000 lbs.also was collected at area schools and hospitals, about 10 percent more than last year and added to the 7,200 of last year’s tonnage brought the 2016 total to about 100 lbs more than a year ago.
This is the eighth year of the single-day electronics endeavor which takes such items out of the refuse stream which is even more beneficial given the bulky size of some items.
County Solid Waste District Manager Mark Nelson does not forsee a decline in recycled material given the length of time between consumers propensity to upgrade such items and issues like printer replacement given it sometimes can be less expensive to replace the device rather than buy replacement cartridges.
An additional advantage is the amount of air and water pollution if e-waste is disposed as with other items.
With some 100 million people participating in such events there remains much potential for growth.
But, and full disclosure here since I am a longtime consulting board member at the Transfer Station, not all larger businesses and schools in the county participate in recycling things even as easy as white paper.
And I find that difficult to fathom since not only can it present an educational opportunity for students and is extremely easy, but also and let’s face it, it’s just the right thing to do.
And in households just what does it take to have a little organization and start by the recycling of say newspaper and cardboard.
I will be the first to admit I didn’t always do this instead opting for just letting everything go into the waste stream but after learning the extent my good friend Julie does and seeing just how easy it was to get organized in such an effort felt compelled to participate.
So how about it – Take it either upon yourself or maybe pressure your employer or school to be sure they participate.
Just sayin’
