Electronics recycling Gone are the days of throwing your TVs, stereos, cell phones etc., in the garbage. Its estimated that 6 percent of the total waste stream consists of electronics that have gone directly into landfills, their components leaching heavy metals and toxins into the ground and ultimately into our water supplies. Fortunately now, there are government regulations and laws in place that prohibit them from being sent to landfills. Virtually every part of a TV, computer and cell phone is recyclable. Thats good news. It not only saves natural resources, conserves energy and reduces emissions, its also helping to save the planet.
West Milford no longer picks up electronics curbside with your garbage. All electronics including; TVs, computers, printers, fax machines, scanners, stereos/radios, cell phones, iPods, blackberries, kindles, coffee makers with timers etc., must be dropped off at the recycling center.
Tip: when purchasing a new electronic such as a TV, you should make arrangements to have the vendor pick up your old one when your new one is delivered. Some vendors will give you a credit toward your new purchase.
West Milford is currently being supplied trailers by Good Will and Dell to collect electronics which will then be recycled or refurbished and given to people in need. The trailers are provided at no cost to the township.
A shout out to: Macopin School custodial staff for their outstanding recycling efforts, keep up the good work!
Whats new: Recycling dollars made, your tax dollars saved!
The numbers are in for 2011 on paper, cardboard, junk mail, newspaper and co-mingled. West Milford collected 3413.70 tons total, this equates to $155,374.78 in earned revenue. If we had not recycled these items, it would have cost the township $239,812.42 to dispose of it. The more participation we get from residents, the more revenue will be generated and the less we have to pay for solid waste disposal.
Did you know... A 60-watt light bulb can be run for over a day on the amount of energy saved by recycling one pound of steel. In one year in the United States, the recycling of steel saves enough energy to heat and light 18,000,000 homes!
The West Milford Recycling Center is located at 30 Lycosky Drive, West Milford. For more information, call 973-728-2724.
This column is supplied by the West Milford Beautification & Recycling Task Force Committee.