The DeKalb County
Health Department

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Electronics Recycling Collection

            On Saturday, October 17 2009, from 8:30 am - 1:00 pm. the DeKalb County Solid Waste Management Program, along with the DeKalb County Farm Bureau will be sponsoring an Electronics Recycling Collection according to Karen Grush, Public Health Administrator.  The event is funded by the DeKalb County Solid Waste fund and is offered at no charge to DeKalb County Residents. Verification of residence will be required and residents will be limited to one monitor per resident coming to the collection. In addition, for the first time, residents can also bring used household batteries (AAA, AA, A, C, D, 9volt, etc.) and compact fluorescent bulbs for proper disposal/recycling. Containers will be provided for each of these items. The Solid Waste Program asks that residents bring the household batteries in a zippered plastic bag. It is not necessary to sort batteries by type. Larger batteries such as “lead acid” will not be accepted. Compact fluorescent bulbs contain trace amounts of mercury, which can damage our environment if not disposed properly.

“Usable parts will be removed from the electronics to make refurbished computers and the refurbished computers will then be available for sale”, states Christel Springmire, Solid Waste Coordinator at the Health Department.   “Non-working components will be melted down for their usable parts such as certain metals and plastics”.  More than 1.5 million tons of e-waste—TVs, monitors, computers, cell phones, batteries and more-—are thrown into American landfills and incinerators every year. As a result, the toxins they contain, such as lead and mercury, could end up being released into the air and water.

            This collection will be held at the DeKalb County Health Department’s parking lot off Dresser Road at 2550 North Annie Glidden Road, DeKalb. Further questions can be directed to Christel Springmire at 815-748-2408.

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