QUOTE
Commissioners Make It Easier For Residents To Recycle Electronics
Reported by: Angela Bohon
Tuesday, Feb 5, 2008 @07:16pm EST
WASHINGTON COUNTY, MD - Washington County has just made it easier to recycle electronics.
Tuesday, Washington County commissioners approved a plan for an electronics recycling program.
They’ve signed a contract with E-Structors, a company near Baltimore that several other Maryland counties already use.
If you plan to upgrade your television anytime soon, or if you got a new DVD player for Christmas, you might be getting ready to toss your old stuff out with the trash.
With the fast-changing world of technology, it's becoming a serious problem.
"It's just amazing, today, how fast things become obsolete. It's my understanding that an average computer system can become outdated in two years. Depending on the patience of the consumer, many people want to have the best of technology," says Harvey Hoch, the recycling coordinator at the Washington County Solid Waste Department.
The recycling center will be located at the 40 West Landfill.
They will accept computers, TVs, cell phones, microwaves and more. County officials say security is a top priority.
Hoch adds, "We were interested in making sure that electronics we gathered were secure and people didn't need to worry about information finding its way to places it shouldn't or perhaps, the electronics waste going to third world countries. We wanted to be responsible.”
Being responsible has a price tag. For most people, it will cost eight dollars to recycle electronics; however oversized loads will cost more.
"When it comes to being responsible in disposing of something in a more responsible fashion, a fee, as long as it's fair, certainly should be reasonable to residents. It does cost money to recycle," Hoch explains.
There are places in the area that already recycle electronics, but this program will be geared toward individuals, rather than businesses.
The recycling center is not open yet, but organizers are hoping it will be ready to go within the next few weeks.
Reported by: Angela BohonTuesday, Feb 5, 2008 @07:16pm EST
WASHINGTON COUNTY, MD - Washington County has just made it easier to recycle electronics.Tuesday, Washington County commissioners approved a plan for an electronics recycling program.
They’ve signed a contract with E-Structors, a company near Baltimore that several other Maryland counties already use.
If you plan to upgrade your television anytime soon, or if you got a new DVD player for Christmas, you might be getting ready to toss your old stuff out with the trash.
With the fast-changing world of technology, it's becoming a serious problem.
"It's just amazing, today, how fast things become obsolete. It's my understanding that an average computer system can become outdated in two years. Depending on the patience of the consumer, many people want to have the best of technology," says Harvey Hoch, the recycling coordinator at the Washington County Solid Waste Department.
The recycling center will be located at the 40 West Landfill.
They will accept computers, TVs, cell phones, microwaves and more. County officials say security is a top priority.
Hoch adds, "We were interested in making sure that electronics we gathered were secure and people didn't need to worry about information finding its way to places it shouldn't or perhaps, the electronics waste going to third world countries. We wanted to be responsible.”
Being responsible has a price tag. For most people, it will cost eight dollars to recycle electronics; however oversized loads will cost more.
"When it comes to being responsible in disposing of something in a more responsible fashion, a fee, as long as it's fair, certainly should be reasonable to residents. It does cost money to recycle," Hoch explains.
There are places in the area that already recycle electronics, but this program will be geared toward individuals, rather than businesses.
The recycling center is not open yet, but organizers are hoping it will be ready to go within the next few weeks.
what a great idea... when we upgrade parts, or get new electronics altogether, we always wind up either tossing the old crap in the back room "just in case" or donating it to goodwill if they are in good working order... if not... we usually toss is in the back room anyhow, or take it to the dump... recycling is a much better idea... i'd pay $8 for the service...