Area residents have two opportunities in September to recycle their unwanted televisions and computer equipment free of charge.
Thanks to a manufacturer-supported recycling program, Mid Michigan Waste Authority will not be charging residents who take part in the organization’s Tech Tuesday e-waste drop-off days on September 6 and 13. At previous collection days, residents paid a portion of the cost of recycling older-style televisions and computer monitors to help offset the expense of recycling these items.
MMWA’s e-waste partner, SVRC Industries, is working with a Michigan company that has secured a contract to provide up to 1 million pounds of free CRT (cathode ray tube) recycling through September 30.
Because this program is only available for a limited time, residents are encouraged to haul in those old tube televisions that are taking up space in many area basements or spare bedrooms.
“Communities across the country have cut their electronics recycling programs because CRT devices are so costly to recycle,” said MMWA Administrative Director Katharine Tessin. “This is a rare opportunity for us to help keep those items out of the landfill at no cost to the resident.”
Older CRT televisions made with glass contain an average of six pounds of lead, as well as other toxic substances like cadmium and mercury.
MMWA’s e-waste days will also continue to accept electronic items like keyboards, printers, mice, hard drives, flat screen monitors, cables, scanners, phones, tablets, and fax machines for free. To make the event entirely free, flat screen televisions will also be accepted at no cost.
Tech Tuesdays will be held from 9 am to 1 pm on September 6 and 13 at the Community Resource Recovery Center, 2063 S Miller Rd (between Ederer and Swan Creek Roads) in Saginaw. For more information, call (989) 781-9555 or visit www.recyclemotion.org.
Mid Michigan Waste Authority is a government entity providing comprehensive residential solid waste services to 70,000 households in 35 communities across the Saginaw Valley area.