Electronics Recycling Event scheduled for April 22nd

This pallet of e-waste is prepped to be loaded on a semi trailer to be recycled. (file photo)

On Saturday, April 22nd from 8am to noon, Mahaska County residents and businesses may drop off old electronics to be recycled. The event will be held in the MCG parking lot, just south of Hy-Vee, according to Steve Burnett, MCG’s Sales & Marketing Manager. The event is co-sponsored by Mahaska Communication Group, Midwest Sanitation & Recycling, and Clow Valve Company with additional consideration from Mid American Energy and Interpower Corporation.

All items will be recycled in a safe and environmental manner by Midwest Electronic Recovery of Walford, Iowa. Accepted items include computer monitors, video game systems, cell phones, printers, personal computers, laptops, stereos, televisions, keyboards, DVD players and VCRs.

Most items may be dropped off for no charge, but business customers will be charged $5 for CRT (old, non flat panel) monitors, and $10 for console or TVs 17” or larger. Residential customers may drop these items off for no cost.

Electronics are becoming one of the fastest growing portions of America’s trash according to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). ECycling not only recovers valuable material from old electronics, which can be used to make new electronics, but it helps prevent harmful substances from entering the landfill.

Over the years this event has been held more than 150,000 lbs. of electronic recyclables have been collected, effectively saving the residents who participated more than $20,000 in recycling fees.

Although there is no charge for this service to residents, donations will be accepted and given to local non-profit organizations including the Mahaska County Trees Forever and Mahaska County 4H.

For more information, call MCG at 676-1000.