Over the past 10 years the “E-rase your E-waste” program has collected more than 164 TONS of outdated electronics for recycling, preserving space in the local landfill as well as protecting the environment and human health through the proper disposal of hazardous materials contained in those electronics. Organizers are hoping to push that total over 175 tons during their upcoming fall weekend collection event set for Friday and Saturday Sept. 5-6, in Sidney.
“We’d love to celebrate our 10th year by topping the 175-ton mark,” E-rase your E-waste Committee Chair Jackie Couture said. “That’s only another 11 tons which is definitely doable. We’ve had annual totals ranging from 20 tons to 27.5 tons of e-waste for five of the past six years.”
This year’s fall collection event will once again be held at the Richland County Shop at 2140 W. Holly in Sidney, next to the Fairgrounds. Signs will be posted. Now’s the time to clear those closets as this is the final collection event for 2014, according to Couture. Times are 3-7 pm Friday, Sept. 5, and 9am-3 pm Saturday, Sept. 6. Please note, the county shop is available for drop offs during event times ONLY, when employees with Yellowstone E-waste Solutions of Billings, our e-cycler, and local volunteers will be available to help with loading and unloading.
Yellowstone E-waste Solutions is providing e-cycling services for FREE, with two small exceptions. Participants wanting their hard drives removed from their computers will need to pay a small fee of $5 for removal. In addition, those needing documentation certifying that their hard drive has been destroyed will also be charged a $5 fee.
Note, too, that anyone in the MonDak region, or even outside it, is welcome to bring their electronic items to the Sidney event during the scheduled hours. You do not need to be a Richland County resident to participate.
What Can I Bring?
For those new to the event, nearly all electronic devices are accepted, Couture said, including computers and their components (printers, scanners, keyboards, etc.), cell phones, cameras, TVs, VCRs, cable TV boxes, fax machines, copiers, stereos, game boys and even specialized electronic equipment used in businesses such as hospitals, law enforcement and manufacturing and even the oil fields.
However, NO consumer white goods, light bulbs, CFLs, mercury thermometers, alkaline batteries, or items containing refrigerants (including dehumidifiers), oils, or acids will be accepted. If you are unsure whether your item qualifies you can check out the handy “What to Bring...” handout posted on the USDA-ARS Northern Plains Agricultural Research Lab’s e-waste website at http://www.ars.usda.gov/npa/nparl/ewaste or call Jackie Couture at 406-433-9422. In addition, a handy “Items List” recycling form is also available at the website to further speed processing time for participants bringing both large and small amounts.
Local businesses, agencies and organizations with large amounts to e-cycle are asked to make an appointment to drop off their items by calling Jackie Couture at 406-433-9422. Please leave a message.
Where possible larger recyclers are also encouraged to palletize their own items, or send extra staff to help get it done. Details on acceptable items and how to palletize them can be found in the “What to Bring...” handout posted to the USDA-ARS Northern Plains Agricultural Research Lab’s e-waste website noted above.
The “E-rase your E-waste” effort in Sidney is coordinated by members of the Richland County Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC), Richland Opportunities Inc., and volunteers with other community organizations including the RSVP program. The Montana Department of Environmental Quality has also committed funds for advertising the 2014 event and the Richland County Public Works Department makes their facilities available for the collection event in Sidney.
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