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Watch what you put in the trash [The Cary News, N.C.](Cary News (NC) Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) July 06--The average U.S. household owns 25 consumer electronics products, according to a 2010 survey. It's likely that at least a few of those gadgets are now outdated. But don't even think about tossing them into a dumpster. It is now against the law to put electronic equipment, including computers, televisions and printers, in North Carolina landfills. The state passed the law nearly a year ago, making it one of about 26 states with an electronics recycling law and it took effect June 22. The majority of those laws have some sort of disposal ban. Though some computer parts do contain hazardous chemicals like mercury, the main reason for the ban is volume. North Carolina may now have more than 100,000 tons -- more than the weight of 2,000 semitrailers -- of electronic waste in its landfills, according to the state Division of Pollution Prevention and Environmental Assistance. "If we didn't have these laws, all these things would end up in landfills," said Scott Mouw, director of the state recycling program. "Not only would landfills fill up and we would need new ones, but we would also lose the ability to return these valuable materials to our economy. "Many materials can be used again, and if we keep them out of the landfills, we don't need to use nearly as much energy making new products," he continued. The brunt of the recycling efforts is falling to municipalities. There are nearly 500 electronics collection sites in the state; the majority are sponsored by county or city governments and the rest by computer or television companies. Some towns, such as Cary and Fayetteville, offer curbside pickup of such items. Some communities are doubling up on their existing programs in preparation for the ban, paying for the effort with the help of the state's electronics management fund. Chatham County used its portion this year to purchase special E-Cycle Stations which have been placed in all 12 of its county collection centers to accept electronics weighing less than 50 pounds from residents who want to dispose of them. According to Teresa Chapman of the Chatham County Waste Management Department, the ban will be relatively cost neutral for the county. In Wake County, nearly any item with a cord can be dropped off at one of two recycling facilities. Raleigh and Cary residents can also call to arrange free curbside computer pickup or take unwanted appliances to drop-off stations. The law is likely to affect smaller counties the most. Many do not have extensive recycling programs and will be scrambling to develop them before the July 1 deadline. "I think that what you'll see are more one-day events as a way to handle materials in less populous counties," said Joe Clayton, director of sales at Synergy Recycling, the state's largest electronics processor. [email protected] or 919-829-4669 ___ To see more of the Cary News or to subscribe to the newspaper, go to http://www.carynews.com/. Copyright (c) 2011, The Cary News, N.C. Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services. For more information about the content services offered by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services (MCT), visit www.mctinfoservices.com, e-mail [email protected], or call 866-280-5210 (outside the United States, call +1 312-222-4544) |