The following appeared in today's St. Albans Messenger and was written by The Messenger Staff
FAIRFAX - If you find electronics to discard while cleaning this spring, perhaps store them in a basement or closet until summer.
Vermont's e-cycling law went into effect Jan. 11, and that means electronic devices are banned from all landfills.
However, starting July 1, free disposal of electronic items begins. Throughout the state, there will be drop-off points for consumers, charities, school districts and small businesses.
Free disposal under the new law covers computers, computer monitors, CRT containing devices, printers, and TVs. Currently, solid waste districts throughout the state charge fees for collecting and disposing of those items.
The Northwest Solid Waste District (NWSD) now charges $11 to take a computer (monitor, tower, keyboard, mouse and speakers); $5 to $15 for printers, fax machines and scanners, depending on the size; and $5 for each VCR and DVD player.
Smaller electronics, such as telephones and clocks, cost up to $1 per item. Televisions range anywhere from $8 to $30 and up, depending on size and weight.
Staples, located in the Highgate Commons Shopping Plaza in St. Albans Town, also takes electronic items for recycling. Small items are generally free, but there is a charge for monitors, CPUs, printers and other larger items. Staples does not accept TV s.
Old gaming systems can be traded in for store credit at Game Stop and EB Games.
The General Assembly passed the new recycling law because electronic waste - TVs, computers, gaming systems, phones and other household electronics - are an increasing part of the solid waste stream.
Electronic devices contain hazardous materials such as lead, mercury and chromium and should not be trashed in landfills, as well as precious metals' including gold, that should be recovered and recycled.
According to the NWSWD, Vermont solid waste districts collected more than 1.6 million pounds of e-waste in 2008.
The NWSWD's Web site (
www.nwswd.org) contains a full schedule of collection events for 2011. All events are held on Saturdays and last from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.
The NWSWD does not accept construction waste, such as flooring, drywall or roofing material; yard waste; or household trash at its special collections. Waste haulers can help dispose of those items.
For more information, call the NWSWD at 802-524-5986, or send e-mail to
info@nwswd.org.
J
