JOHNSTOWN - Fulton County's one-month pilot program in July allowing county residents to drop off electronics for free at any transfer station went so well officials want to continue it for the rest of this year.
"The electronics program was extremely successful last month," county Department of Solid Waste Director Jeff Bouchard said Tuesday. "We're saying let's continue at all the transfer stations year-round."
He announced in March to the Board of Supervisors' Economic Development and Environment Committee that he wanted to offer a one-month pilot program in July allowing county residents to drop off electronics for free at any transfer station. The county currently only allows the disposal of electronics at the county landfill on Mud Road.
The pilot program offered in July allowed any county resident to use a transfer station to drop off the items. People who had no valid station sticker could also show their vehicle registration to dump the electronics.
Items that are usually disposed of include televisions, cell phones, old VCRs and computers.
There is a state law banning landfill disposal of electronics by haulers.
Bouchard told the committee this week at the County Office Building that about 20 tons of electronics were collected at the transfer stations in July as part of the pilot program. He said 84 tons were collected at the landfill for all of 2011.
The director recommended continuing the program to increase convenience to the public, increase recycling statistics, and to prepare for eventual mandatory recycling of all electronics by the state in 2015.
The committee voted to continue the county pilot program through the rest of the year.
He said his department is also converting additional equipment for transfer stations to accommodate the electronics, including sheds and containers.
Michael Anich covers Johnstown and Fulton County news. He can be reached at johnstown@leaderherald.com