More than 65,000 lbs. of Scrap Electronics, Fluorescent Bulbs Headed to Recyclers after Busy Event

Hazardous Household Waste Dropoff Days Scheduled for May, June

ERIE COUNTY, NY— The Erie County Department of Environment & Planning has announced that more than 65,000 pounds of scrap electronics were collected at the recent recycling event held in April at the GM Plant on River Road in Buffalo. 537 cars loaded with computers, televisions, cell phones, and numerous other types of electronics attended the event between 9 AM – 1 PM, with volunteers on hand to direct them to unloading points where their recyclables were removed. Twenty volunteers handled the unloading, clearing an average of two cars per minute for the event, or about 800 lbs. of recyclables per hour, per person.

“I want to thank the Department of Environment & Planning, along with their partners, for coordinating this important and well-attended recycling event. Their efforts directly resulted in a cleaner environment in Erie County,” said Erie County Executive Mark C. Poloncarz. “Events like this and our upcoming Hazardous Household Waste collections give residents an opportunity to safely dispose of potentially harmful materials rather than keeping them in basements or garages or, worse yet, throwing them in the trash or dumping them down a water drain where they can pollute land and water. I encourage everyone who has these types of waste to take advantage of this free disposal option.”

Household Hazardous Waste Drop-Off Days are scheduled for ECC North Campus (enter from Wehrle Drive) on Saturday, May 17, 2014 and for ECC South Campus (enter from Rte. 20a) on Saturday, June 14, 2014. Each event will run from 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM.

ITEMS WHICH CAN BE BROUGHT TO THE SITE FOR DISPOSAL INCLUDE:

•          Pesticides, Fertilizers, Pool and Household Chemicals/Cleaners (limit 2 gallons or 20 lbs.)

•          Oil-based Paints, Spray cans (limit 10 gallons)   

•          Paint Thinner, Stripper and Solvents (limit 2 gallons)

•          Batteries (lead acid & rechargeable)

•          Oil, Gasoline, Kerosene, Antifreeze (limit 10 gallons)

•          Mercury (thermometers, thermostats, metal)

•          Propane tanks & cylinders (full or empty)

ITEMS WHICH WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED INCLUDE:  latex paint, automobile tires, computers & electronics, appliances, fluorescent bulbs, commercial/industrial wastes.

For more information on this event, or on the proper disposal of latex paint, please call the Erie County Household Hazardous Waste 24-Hour Hotline at (716) 858-6800 or visit www.erie.gov .