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Electronic drop-off program planned
By MICHAEL ANICH, The Leader-Herald
POSTED: April 7, 2008
JOHNSTOWN — Fulton County residents have been allowed to bring their electronic waste to the county landfill only once a year, but they now may be able to do so year-round starting May 1.
The Board of Supervisors’ Environmental Resources Committee last week authorized the start of a Residential Electronics Drop Off Program at the landfill on Mud Road.
The full board must still decide on the program at a meeting April 14.
“This is something new,” said committee Chairman Anthony C. Buanno.
“We think it’s time,” added county Solid Waste Director Jeff Bouchard. “I think it’s great news for the community.”
Bouchard said proper disposal of electronic devices is becoming a greater concern with increasing qualities coming through the waste stream, and an impending change from analog to digital television.
For the past five years in August, he said the county Department of Solid Waste has only accepted computers during the annual Household Hazardous Waste Day. In order to prevent greater quantities of electronics from being dumped, Bouchard said a residential drop-off is being proposed year-round at the department.
Bouchard said he and Recycling Coordinator Dianne Woske visited various sites to see how their electronic waste programs work.
“Through our Household Hazardous Waste Day, we have witnessed the electronics have just taken off,” he said. “When our landfill is open, this [new program] will be open.”
Bouchard said staff researched several electronics markets that would accept computers, computer components and a variety of other electronic devices such as TVs, cell phones, small household appliances like VCRs, DVD players, and kitchen appliances. Fluorescent bulbs would also be accepted continually from residents.
Stratford Supervisor Robert E. Johnson Jr. expressed concern that these materials would end up on the sides of rural roads, but Bouchard said that’s what the new program is aimed at preventing.
“This is going to be big for the city of Gloversville,” Bouchard said. “They’re going to like this.”
He said the Department of Solid Waste is proposing the electronics drop-off location at 847 Mud Road to start up May 1. Residents would be allowed to bring electronics during regular operating hours.
Bouchard said a Troy company has agreed to accept the electronics from Fulton County at no charge. Fluorescent bulbs would have a fee of 5.9 cents per linear foot and involve the purchase of containers.
He said his staff at the Department of Solid Waste will be preparing an advertising campaign, which is grant-eligible. That campaign will kick off the start of the new program May 1, he said.
Bouchard said he already has a trailer set up for the new program, and staff will be sorting through the electronic items.
“In other communities, this is very well received,” he said.
Michael Anich covers Fulton County and Johnstown. He can be reached at johnstown@leaderherald.com.
The Board of Supervisors’ Environmental Resources Committee last week authorized the start of a Residential Electronics Drop Off Program at the landfill on Mud Road.
The full board must still decide on the program at a meeting April 14.
“This is something new,” said committee Chairman Anthony C. Buanno.
“We think it’s time,” added county Solid Waste Director Jeff Bouchard. “I think it’s great news for the community.”
Bouchard said proper disposal of electronic devices is becoming a greater concern with increasing qualities coming through the waste stream, and an impending change from analog to digital television.
For the past five years in August, he said the county Department of Solid Waste has only accepted computers during the annual Household Hazardous Waste Day. In order to prevent greater quantities of electronics from being dumped, Bouchard said a residential drop-off is being proposed year-round at the department.
Bouchard said he and Recycling Coordinator Dianne Woske visited various sites to see how their electronic waste programs work.
“Through our Household Hazardous Waste Day, we have witnessed the electronics have just taken off,” he said. “When our landfill is open, this [new program] will be open.”
Bouchard said staff researched several electronics markets that would accept computers, computer components and a variety of other electronic devices such as TVs, cell phones, small household appliances like VCRs, DVD players, and kitchen appliances. Fluorescent bulbs would also be accepted continually from residents.
Stratford Supervisor Robert E. Johnson Jr. expressed concern that these materials would end up on the sides of rural roads, but Bouchard said that’s what the new program is aimed at preventing.
“This is going to be big for the city of Gloversville,” Bouchard said. “They’re going to like this.”
He said the Department of Solid Waste is proposing the electronics drop-off location at 847 Mud Road to start up May 1. Residents would be allowed to bring electronics during regular operating hours.
Bouchard said a Troy company has agreed to accept the electronics from Fulton County at no charge. Fluorescent bulbs would have a fee of 5.9 cents per linear foot and involve the purchase of containers.
He said his staff at the Department of Solid Waste will be preparing an advertising campaign, which is grant-eligible. That campaign will kick off the start of the new program May 1, he said.
Bouchard said he already has a trailer set up for the new program, and staff will be sorting through the electronic items.
“In other communities, this is very well received,” he said.
Michael Anich covers Fulton County and Johnstown. He can be reached at johnstown@leaderherald.com.
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