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EDITORIAL: E-cycling could be more convenient [York Daily Record, Pa.](York Daily Record (PA) Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) Jan. 16--Got a new big screen HD TV for Christmas to replace the old Philco Congratulations! Now, see if you can get your grandchildren (or maybe great-grandchildren) to teach you how to use the newfangled thing. And while you're at it, see if you can get them to haul the old tube TV away -- because after next week the trash man won't take it. The state Legislature recently passed the Covered Device Recycling Act, and it takes effect Jan. 24. After that, no more tossing unwanted electronics in the trash. You'll have to take items to a recycling collection area. What kinds of electronics are we talking about Pretty much all of them -- from A (answering machines) to Z (Zenith televisions). See the full list below. The law is a good idea. Keeping the heavy metals and other hazardous, toxic materials contained in these devices out of landfills will certainly be good for the environment. And much of the material can be reused. So kudos for the environmental motivations behind this new law. But the devil is in the circuitry when it comes to complex efforts -- and it remains to be seen how well this will all work when implemented. As it stands right now, it looks like we could be tuning in to some confusion over where to take items and when. In the short term, it seems likely that a lot of old electronic items will just wind up collecting dust in the basement or out in the backyard because people don't know where to take them or just don't have time. Or worse, we could see a lot of rural dumping -- look out, Codorus Creek, for a cannonball by an old Canon copy machine. There is no curbside pickup of the items. They will have to be transported to collection sites. Currently, there are 11 such sites identified in York County -- and when those sites are open is a confusing mishmash. Some are open during weekday business hours (not convenient for those who work). Some are open on weekends -- but not every weekend and not all day. Some are open on seemingly random days -- a York Township site, for instance, is open Feb. 16, May 18, Aug. 17 and Nov. 16. It would be nice if there were at least a few strategically located facilities that were pretty much always open -- weekdays, weekends, evenings. Maybe that won't be necessary and everything will work out really well as currently configured. Or maybe state and local officials will have to work a few bugs out of this well-intentioned effort -- CDRA 2.0. (If you don't get that 2.0 stuff, you might be better off hanging on to the Philco for a few more years.) P.S. As a recent letter to the editor notes, there's another option to get rid of unwanted devices: Take them to a recycler who will actually pay you for your items. That might even help cover the cost of gas to transport the electronics (and you can't help but wonder if requiring people to transport their items to collection sites, burning fossil fuels, counterbalances the environmental benefits of getting electronics out of the waste stream). What to recycle The following electronic devices can be recycled at any of 11 collection sites across York County: Answering machines, cellphones, computers and peripherals, computer mice, copier/fax equipment, desktop computers, disc players, duplicators, electric typewriters, gaming products, hard drives, keyboards, laptops, mainframes, microwave ovens, modems, monitors, power cords, printed circuit boards, printers, radios, remote controls, stereo equipment, tape players, telephone equipment, televisions, testing equipment, transparency equipment, uninterruptible power supplies and VCRs. Recycling locations Electronics are accepted at these 11 collection sites in York County, during the times listed: --Fairview Township, 55 Fairview Road, New Cumberland; 717-901-5261; Weekdays: 9 a.m. to noon Monday through Friday, except holidays. Weekends: 7:30 a.m. to 1 p.m second and third Saturday of January, and first and third Saturday of February through December. All York County residents and businesses can participate. --Hopewell Township, 3336 Bridgeview Road, Stewartstown; 717-993-2027; Weekdays: 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday, except holidays. Township residents and businesses can participate. --Lower Windsor Township, 111 Walnut Valley Ct.; 717-244-6813; Weekends: 7 a.m. to 10 a.m. second Saturday of every month. Township residents and businesses can participate. --Penn Township, Heights Avenue, behind the township building; 717-637-1561; Weekdays: 8 a.m. to 4:15 p.m. Monday through Friday, except holidays. Weekends: 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. every Saturday, except holidays. All York County residents and businesses can participate. --Red Lion, borough maintenance garage on Vulcan Road; 717-244-2567. Weekdays: Call for an appointment. Borough residents and businesses can participate. --Shrewsbury Township, 11505 Susquehanna Trail South; 717-235-3011 ext. 103; Weekdays: 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 8 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Friday, beginning Feb. 1. All York County residents and businesses can participate. --Warrington Township, 3345 Rosstown Road; 717-432-9082; Weekdays: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. All York County residents and businesses can participate. --Windsor Township, 970 White Oak Road; 717-244-3512; Call for dates and hours. Township residents and businesses can participate. --York City, Memorial Stadium (with access from Vander Avenue), York; 717-849-2235; Weekends: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. first Saturday of every month. All York County residents and businesses can participate. --York County Solid Waste Authority; Yard Waste Transfer Site, Flour Mill Road, York; 717-845-1066; Weekends: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. third Saturday of every month. All York County residents and businesses can participate. --York Township, 190 Oak Road; 717-741-3861; Weekends: 7 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Feb. 16, May 18, Aug. 17 and Nov. 16. All York County residents and businesses can participate. ___ (c)2013 York Daily Record (York, Pa.) Visit York Daily Record (York, Pa.) at www.ydr.com Distributed by MCT Information Services |