Here’s the latest in a series by the Easton Energy & Environment Task Force (EEETF) to spread the word about how to dispose of different items. This month focuses on electronics.
What’s the problem with electronics?
As the pace of technology changes, electronics like computers, phones, TVs, and so many other items become obsolete, slower, or less desirable and are replaced. Inside many of these devices are valuable metals, like gold, silver, and copper, as well as reusable components, like capacitors, power supplies, and switches. Sending this stuff to incineration or a landfill means that there’s no opportunity to give these metals and components a longer life.
What’s the solution?
Here are quick and easy ideas to help solve the obsolete electronics problem:
- Bring them to the Easton Electronics Recycling Event on Saturday, May 3, from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. behind Samuel Staples Elementary School! A certified e-waste recycler, Take2 Recycle, will remove these items from your car and dispose of them safely for you.
- In addition to computers, phones, and TVs, accepted items for electronics recycling include monitors, printers, scanners, old stereo equipment, and small appliances. Items NOT accepted include air conditioners, dehumidifiers, refrigerators, light bulbs, and batteries. Call Take2 Recycle at 800-209-9322 or visit take2recycle.com for a full list of what is accepted/not accepted at the event.
- If you miss or can’t make it to the event, these items are recyclable year-round at the Trumbull transfer station (101 Spring Hill Road). There’s no charge for Easton residents to bring these items to the transfer station.
- The Trumbull transfer station also accepts regular alkaline and lithium-ion batteries.
- Never put any of these items in your recycling cart.
Contaminated recycling raises Easton’s costs. You can support the quality of Easton’s recycling stream in other ways:
- When in doubt, throw it out.
- Keep your recycling as clean and dry as possible.
- A recycling symbol doesn’t mean an item is necessarily recyclable in our single-stream program.
- Small items (less than 2”x2”) clog sorting machines and should be trashed.
RecycleCT is always a great reference to confirm “what’s in and what’s out” and to help avoid wish-cycling (hoping that something is recyclable and putting it in the cart just in case).
Keep an eye out for next month’s Recycling Tip! Questions or comments? Email the EEETF at eastonenergytf@gmail.com.
