Posts tagged with "SWANCC"
A New Year’s Resolution – Recycling Electronics
Posted by lmulford on 12/29/11
Here’s one new year's resolution you should easily be able to keep - recycling your old electronic devices. Many of you may have received a new electronic gift or two this past holiday and now want to get rid of the old outdated ones. It’s now easier than ever to find locations for recycling your unwanted items.
That’s good news because effective January 1, 2012, the Electronics Products Recycling and Reuse Act (SB2313) adds 14 new items to its list of electronic products that are banned from going into Illinois landfills. The ban is a result of research that confirms the harmful environmental effects of these items on landfills, while many of the components and metals in them can be successfully recycled for new uses. Items banned include:
- TVs and monitors
- Computers, including laptops and tablets
- Computer accessories (keyboards, mouse devices)
- Printers and scanners
- Fax machines
- VCRs and DVD players/recorders
- Video game consoles
- Portable digital music players
- Small-scale servers
- Digital converter boxes
- Cable/satellite receivers
The Library continues to collect small electronics in the blue bin near the Checkout Desk. We are partnering with Recycling Avenue, a non-profit company run by a group of physically challenged young adults wanting to make a difference. There are tax-deductible forms attached to the bin for you to record your donation. Check here for a list of acceptable items.
If you have a number of items to recycle, both large and small, you might want to consider an upcoming electronic recycling drive being held at the Countryside Center in Palatine on Friday, January 6. For more information, click here.
The Solid Waste Agency of Northern Cook County (SWANCC) has a very good list of sources for recycling all kinds of electronic items. The list includes nearby retailers such as Abt Electronics, Apple stores, and Best Buy. Some even offer gift cards when you trade-in old items. Even the nearby Goodwill store will take old computers. For a small fee, SWANCC will even arrange to pick up all your items. For the complete list, click here.
Have a happy, healthy and greener new year.
SWANCC Electronics Recycling
Posted by lmulford on 05/17/12
Have an old TV or computer monitor you’d like to get rid of, but you’re not sure how to dispose of it? Bring it to SWANCC’s Electronics Recycling Day on Saturday, May 19, at the nearby Wheeling Public Works Facility, 77 W. Hintz in Wheeling. Remember, as of this year, the Electronics Products Recycling and Reuse Act (SB2313) bans TVs and computer monitors from Illinois landfills. This is a great, green way to rid yourself of those old clunky items.
You can always drop off smaller electronics like phones, iPods, and laptops for recycling at the library. The collection bin is located near the Returns Desk. Don’t forget, this Saturday the library is hosting a Cool Tools Day on the first floor. Come learn about all types of electronic devices as representatives from Apple and Best Buy will be here to give demos and answer questions. There will also be a drawing for store gift cards.
Trash Talking: From the Wastebasket to Where?
Posted by lmulford on 06/01/11
Want to learn more about what happens after you drop your trash at the curb or toss it into the dumpster? Head out this Saturday, June 4, between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. to SWANCC’s Open House at the Glenview Transfer Station located at 1151 N. River Road in Glenview.
You’ll find out what happens to landscape and solid waste before it heads to the landfill and you'll even have some fun while you're at it. The Solid Waste Agency of Northern Cook County (SWANCC) holds the open house annually to raise awareness about the importance of source reduction and recycling practices.
Take a look at the planned activities – there’s something for everyone:
• View garbage being processed from an enclosed gallery
• Check out educational exhibits
• Learn how materials are handled on garbage pickup day
• Play lawn games and win prizes – weather permitting
• Bring American flags, eyeglasses, hearing aids, batteries and mercury-containing
thermometers for recycling. (Please be sure to bring mercury thermometers in a sealed
plastic bag)
Do not bring Compact Fluorescent Light (CFL) Bulbs or Household Chemical Waste.
Keep bringing in those discarded cell phones, laptops and more to the Library. Our Small Electronics Recycling program has been so successful that we will continue collecting items on an ongoing basis in the blue bin near the Checkout Desk. Check here for accepted items.
Have some good ideas or tips on how to reduce or recycle the amount of what we throw in the trash? Let us hear from you and we'll share it with others.
