Mahaska Communications Group Continues E-Cycling
MCG hosted E-Cycling again for 2019.
Oskaloosa, Iowa – The weather last Saturday was less than ideal, a cold breeze combined with rain made for a miserable morning, but that didn’t dampen the spirits of those on hand to help Oskaloosa recycle their E-Waste.
E-Waste is a term applied to electronic products that are past or near their end of useful life. Things like computers, televisions, VCRs, stereos, and more arrive at the parking lot outside of Mahaska Communications Group or MCG once a year to be properly disposed of.
Eddie Pierson with MCG spoke with Oskaloosa News about the program, and why MCG continues to pay the bill to recycle those unwanted items.
Pierson says that even with the less than hospitable weather, they have seen an increase over last year in items brought in for recycling.
The program is now in the 12th or 13th year, and the large tube type TV’s continue to be one of the biggest recycling items. “They never seem to stop coming out of the woodwork,” Pierson jokes. “We’ve found a lot of them that are covered in bird feces and stuff. We think they’re pulling them out of barns and out of basements and such.”
The old CRT or tube type TVs may contain mercury or other potentially toxic materials. MCG pays to have those properly recycled.
It’s estimated that MCG collected 25,000 pounds of e-waste last year, and for 2019 they collected a semi and a half of waste.
Over the program’s life, MCG has helped to recycle over half a million pounds of e-waste.
MCG partners with Clow Valve Company, 4-H, FFA, Trees Forever, and Friends of Mahaska County Conservation.
Friends of Mahaska County Conservation has a station set up where they were taking in used plastic shopping bags, while Trees Forever was handing out saplings for a donation. “We’re going to bring them back next year to take on more bags. They are overwhelmed with the response they have received,” said Pierson.
Inside of MCG is a permanent station where batteries can be recycled all year long. “If you didn’t make it out today, feel free to bring them in and we’ll get them recycled for you,” added Pierson.
