eCycling: Computer disposal

For years, the Solid Waste Authority of Cumberland County has fielded calls from people asking how they could properly dispose of their old computers and televisions.

Because of environmental concerns about burying electronics equipment in landfills, answers were hard to come by, said Thomas

On Oct. 20, the authority held the state's first eCycling collection at the Carlisle Fairgrounds. The event was a success, said Stephanie Williams, the authority's recycling coordinator.

Approximately 1,150 vehicles dropped off electronics equipment to be recycled, Williams said. About nine-and-ahalf tractor trailers were filled with items totaling 75 to 95 tons, she said.

Before the event, the authority had estimated about 600 vehicles would drop off 70 tons of electronics equipment, Williams said. The authority plans to hold another eCycling collection in spring or fall 2002, she said.

"It's hard to put something in the trash can that still functions," Imphong said. "This way, we can create an afterlife for those unwanted computers and TVs."

Representatives of the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency helped unload and package equipment at the Cumberland County event.

The state's DEP plans to hold similar events in six other counties, including Lancaster, said spokesman Ted Kopas. No events have been planned yet for York, Dauphin or Lebanon counties, he said.

However, on Sept. 22, the Dauphin County Department of Solid Waste and Recycling, in cooperation with the Derry Township Recycling Center, sponsored a computer recycling drive. Residents donated between 500 and 600 old computers to the Burnley Workshop of Stroudsburg, a nonprofit organization that employs disabled Pennsylvanians who dismantle computer equipment and recycle reusable components.

Derry Township School District and the city of Harrisburg represented the biggest donors. Dauphin County plans to sponsor another drive in January. Derry Township residents who want to recycle computers until then can donate them to the Derry Township Recycling Center.

In Lancaster County, residents and businesses have a more permanent and environmentally friendly way to discard of computers and computer accessories.

Since July 9, the Lancaster County Solid Waste Management Authority has been accepting computers, monitors, printers, keyboards and related items at its Household Hazardous Waste Facility at 1299 Harrisburg Pike in Lancaster.

Residents can recycle their computer equipment for free. Businesses can recycle up to 25 computers or monitors. The first five will be recycled for free, but there is a $5 fee to recycle each computer or monitor after the fifth.

The equipment is being dismantled, and any useable materials, including metals and plastic, are being recovered and reused, said Tim Breneisen, the authority's recycling program manager. Breneisen said the authority started the program to provide residents and businesses with a responsible way to discard old computer equipment.

"If you have one computer and toss it in the garbage, it's no big deal. But if you have a truckload of computers, it's better for the environment to have them recycled," he said. "We're just trying to make sure that the value of the items inside the computer can be preserved."

As of Sept. 30, about 1,200 items had been brought in for recycling, Breneisen said. The recycling project is part of a one-year pilot program, but the authority hopes to make the program permanent, he added.

The computer-recycling program is open to Lancaster County residents and businesses only. For more information, call 3979968.