Wednesday, Feb. 20, 2008
Recycling program now includeds TVs, computers
Jack Weinstein
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ReprintNeed to toss an old TV or computer?
Do you want to be environmentally friendly?
Think no further. Olathe's electronic waste recycling program is improved – and cheaper. Starting this week, the city's program will collect TVs. Small electronics totaling 15 pounds also can be collected. In the past, the city didn't collect TVs and limited the number of other electronics that could be recycled.
Some items require a fee, which covers the city's cost to properly handle and recycle the electronics. TVs cost $10. Large computer monitors cost $7. Smaller items — including DVD/CD players, VCRs, microwaves, telephones, fax machines, laptop computers and printers — cost $3. Accessories like cables, keyboards and mice are free to recycle.
Brian Sumners, the city's hazardous household waste specialist, said it's still legal for residents to throw electronic waste in the trash, but the city is trying to encourage residents to recycle, limiting what enters the waste stream. He said removing the lead and other metals that are found in electronics from landfills is important because they could become hazardous over time.
"It's more environmentally green to pull this stuff out (of landfills)," Sumners said. "It seems to be the biggest topic in recycling."
Sumners couldn't say exactly how many cities are starting recycling programs for electronics, but a lot of cities are "starting to jump on the bandwagon."
Kyle Skinner, the sales manager for Lenexa-based R3 Technology, which has contracted with the city to recycle electronics, said the 4-year-old company began offering this service two years ago out of necessity.
The asset disposition company had to find a way to properly dispose of electronics that had no resale value, he said.
"We also realized we could provide surrounding cities a service by providing a collection point for their old IT equipment so it doesn't end up in a landfill where it can be harmful to people," Skinner said.
He said Olathe's not the first city to partner with R3. The company has had events and contracted with metro cities to recycle their electronics.
Skinner added that electronics recycling is becoming more common.
"We didn't know what to expect," he said. "This industry is kind of still in its infancy, and no one knows what they're doing. The process is still getting figured out by everybody, but we're finding out a lot of people are happy about what we're doing."
Residents interested in recycling old or unwanted electronics can set up an appointment by calling 971-9311. Drop-offs are between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays at the city's household hazardous waste collection facility, 1420 S. Robinson Road.
Residents also can take electronics directly to R3 Technology, 17501 W. 98th, Pillar No. 18-51 in the Meritex Lenexa Executive Park for a slightly lesser cost.
For more information about what can be recycled with the city, visit the its electronic recycling Web page at www.olatheks.org/oms/recycling/computers.